Cacoa Energy?

[newyearspromise]

Is it just in my head, or does raw chocolate give this amazing energy surge?

It seem like every time I eat it I get really really happy and want to go work out. Sort of like caffeine, but not jittery and I never crash from it. It just slowly wears off.

???

It also seems like when I eat a lot of cacoa I lose more weight. Again, is this just my imagination, or is there something to this?



I never thought I would ever ask if CHOCOLATE is helping me lose weight???


:)

[ambiguous]

You've just inspired me to eat some raw chocolate . . .

I agree that raw chocolate makes me feel happier, energetic, and motivated. And since it suppresses the appetite, it makes perfect sense that it could assist in weight loss.

Just be careful, we might be about to get lectured about how chocolate is a stimulant and/or not really raw . . .

( . . . so as a preventative measure: I've had both roasted and raw cacao nibs from a number of sources, and I think the raw nibs are much different--so I don't think that the raw cocoa on the market is roasted. I'm aware that it grows in warm climates and is fermented, which makes it warmer . . . but I still think that raw cacao is just as raw as, say, raw carob.
And as for the stimulant argument: I feel jittery and experience a crash after eating a high-sugar food like dates, but I don't experience that after eating chocolate. So maybe the definition of stimulant is in the eye (or mouth) of the beholder.)

[newyearspromise]

Some argue it isn't raw?? I thought that it was just crushed bean and not in any way processed. Is this not true?

[Beanie]

I love it too! It certainly does lift my mood to a peaceful bliss state and starts my day off to a good positive start without any side effects that I get from caffeine. If you get it from a good source, like NaturalZing, its both very clean, safe and raw. They carefully researched it and unlike many years ago, its very clean nowadays so doesn't have to be cooked in anyway.

Yeah, just like seasonings and the fat issue, I'm sure there will be many anti cacao posts here soon. Well, without it, I'm sure I would end up eating a cooked chocolate bar that does have the rich antioxidants in it like cacao! But I give cacao 2 thumbs up!! I would give it more but I only have 2 thumbs. :D

[newyearspromise]

I buy it from Nature's First Law.

I swear, I feel soooo good, and it is natural. It's not like a drug high, it is like, I don't know, happiness and contentment and REAL energy, not hyper energy.

I am wondering, if some are against it, why? I would like to know if there is something bad about it...for real. I am eating it under the premiss that it is good for me.

[DrPr]

I know nothing about raw chocolate- I thought it would taste bitter. How is raw chocolate processed?

[maydolphin10]

i dont believe its bad, i LOVE cacao! i have never felt the effects from caffeine, not even from coffee, so maybe thats just me. i just love the taste and never feel anything from it

[Punky]

I buy it from Nature's First Law.

I swear, I feel soooo good, and it is natural. It's not like a drug high, it is like, I don't know, happiness and contentment and REAL energy, not hyper energy.

I am wondering, if some are against it, why? I would like to know if there is something bad about it...for real. I am eating it under the premiss that it is good for me.

Newyearspromise, there are a couple of past threads on the
controversial raw cocao debate if you are interested. Just use the banana icon search button at the top.
Personally I still use them like I do raw carob; I use both
when I crave chocolatey stuff.

[Cecilia]

David Wolfe and Shazzie have written a book called "Naked Chocolate". It's a wonderful read. Chocolate does have caffein in it, but between 0 and 40 mg, a cup of coffe has upward of 170 (I think, I'm quoting from memory right now). It also contains a substance similar to that in cannabis which makes you high which is one of many reasons it makes you happy. It DOES help you lose weight! which is why so many weight loss products come in a chocolate flavor (go figure). Chocolate also has a dopamine inhibitor that keeps your seratonin levels (the hormone that makes you happy) up for longer. If you are interested in reading more it's all in "Naked Chocolate". There are also lots of recipies and a history about chocolate.

[DrPr]

Are raw chocolate and cacao really the same thing?

[twinee1]

When I eat Cacao it staves off hunger.

[Cecilia]

Are raw chocolate and cacao really the same thing?

Raw chocolate is the same as raw cacao beans, however you can also get roasted cacao beans which isn't the same as raw chocolate. However in my mind raw chocolate is something you make using raw cacao beans and other ingredients (like agave, nuts, maca etc) to make something similar to a prosessed chocolate bar. But that's just me :)

[Angelic Light]

Raw cacao seems to help me to breathe better if I have having an asthma attack.

I like grinding the nibs up and mixing them with agave and coconut oil to form truffles.

I too get an energy surge after I eat them and feel like I want to clean my house. LOL.

One time I had heart palpitations, dizziness and anxiety as I ate too much of them (6 tablespoons mixed with goji berries), but I think they are ok in moderation. If I only eat small amounts I am fine, and I enjoy them.

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