Survey on Raw Chocolate

[RawTruth]

You may wish to document your experience with raw cacao at Angela Stokes' website. I'm not sure what she's going to do with the findings (other than gather lots of email addresses! , but she's pretty research-based, so I'm thinking the results will be put to good use.

I have mixed feelings about cacao myself having given it a real good long chance. Upon finding that I want it every day, sometimes first thing in the morning, I'm not sure if that's because I'm addicted (!) or because my body needs some mineral that's in it.

I know we had a long discussion, oh somewhere around 18-20 months ago about it - way before Naked Chocolate came out and before cacao powder became available. I'd be interested in hearing what long-time raw fooders think about it here, in addition to taking Angela's survey.

Click here for the survey.

[Princess Elaine]

Hi everyone...I had my first taste of raw cocoa at Raw Truth's food class that we sprinkled on banana ice cream (I think that's what we had)...I bought my first bag 4 or 5 days ago and can't stop myself from having them...I have some apple granola I sprinkled some in...first a wee bit...next time a bit more...I think I'm addicted....funny how by themselves they taste rather bitter....all they have to do is touch something else and I'm on!!!!...soooooooooooo, will I buy them again...I have to be careful with addictions and often have to abstain if I'm gonna abuse something...we'll see!!!

Elaine

[Dimond]

Other than a couple initial times of dizziness when I first tried it, it doesn't do anything for me positive or negative (at least no obvious negative affect). For a couple of months I had a maca cacao goji smoothie and none of the ingredients improved my health in any immediate way. I still stick with goji berries or powder, but not the other 2. Cacao I save for occasional chocolate treats, though usually I enjoy carob more.

[Lay-Lay]

no negative effects for me. I used it in moderation. A little here and there. It was really great for my hubby who was not raw and that helped him to transition into raw foods. He thought man, if I can eat this then there has to be something good about raw foods. I don't order it much, because of its price tag.

[Caroob]

Oh, I live in sweden where raw chokolate is not avalable, how does it differ from "normal" chocolate?

Where can i get it and which ones are the best? Don't know how you use it (or do you just use powder?).

Thankx

-newbie :)

[Sharon in Colorado]

I can't do that survey because I feel great when I'm eating it all the time and then have some more.

However when I haven't had any type of chocolate for days and eat it I do get very shakey and nervous-like, so I think there's an addiction involved.

[Cinnamon]

I've tried it twice and had the same reaction both times, extremely nervous, shakey, hyper, insomnia, just like I'd get in the old days of coffee or tea that wasn't decaf. Not for me that is for sure but the flavor I sure did enjoy. I've always been very sensitive to stimulants so I wasn't surprised!

[Missrawdiva]

Well, I guess you can say I am a cocoa addict!! I make Rp's brownies once a week, a big batch w/cocoa and I eat them a few times a day EVERY day!! I love the fact that I can be raw and still eat chocolate! Even though they are very high in fat, and even though I eat the cocoa brownies three times a day, I have still managed to loose alot of weight. I do think they are addictive... but hey as long as I dont have any bad side effects.. I will continue to eat them! Also, I looove the fact that if I eat a brownie early in the morning its an appetitie suppresent. Sometimes if I run out of brownies, I will be some cocoa powder in my greeen smoothies! Now that is good!!!

[RawTruth]

Well, I guess you can say I am a cocoa addict!! I make Rp's brownies once a week, a big batch w/cocoa and I eat them a few times a day EVERY day!! I love the fact that I can be raw and still eat chocolate! Even though they are very high in fat, and even though I eat the cocoa brownies three times a day, I have still managed to loose alot of weight. I do think they are addictive... but hey as long as I dont have any bad side effects.. I will continue to eat them! Also, I looove the fact that if I eat a brownie early in the morning its an appetitie suppresent. Sometimes if I run out of brownies, I will be some cocoa powder in my greeen smoothies! Now that is good!!!

Missrawdiva, are you using cocoa or cacao?

[RawTruth]

I can't do that survey because I feel great when I'm eating it all the time and then have some more.

However when I haven't had any type of chocolate for days and eat it I do get very shakey and nervous-like, so I think there's an addiction involved.

So ... I'm thinking that your experience fits into one of the survey answers?

[Bechtel]

Cocoa is a strong antidioxant. Twice stronger than red wine.

[RawTruth]

Cocoa is a strong antidioxant. Twice stronger than red wine.

*nodding* Yep, yep, yep.

Looking for the experiences of raw fooders with eating raw cacao . . .

[Sharon in Colorado]

So ... I'm thinking that your experience fits into one of the survey answers?

Well it fits in 2 of them, but depending on my chocolate or chocolate-less state of being I could answer either one! HA! FYI, right now I'm on the stuff. I need to get off it again!

[Rawkinlocs]

My experience has been that I get no effects positive or negative either. I don't eat it often, when I DO eat it I don't get "addicted" to it and feel the need to keep eating it. I usually only use a small amount of it in things such as RP's brownies, Alissa's fudge balls (I use part cacao powder and part carob) and in chocolate shakes or milk.

I haven't had the jittery feeling some have reported and I don't see the "super food benefits" either. It's just one of those things I eat when I want it but don't have to have it.

[Missrawdiva]

CocAo... yeah my spelling is bad.