Chocolate ISN’T Off Limits for Valentine’s Day with Stevia

February is the month for love and CHOCOLATE! Who doesn’t love a heart-shaped box of Valentine chocolates or some chocolatey, homemade treats. However, while that chocolate may taste good in the moment, the temporary satisfaction isn’t worth the potential health issues.

Chocolate comes with a host of unhealthy side effects, including possible weight gain, the risk of diabetes, and a link to increased acne. Chocolate is also packed with a lot of sugar. An individual bag of M&M’s has 31 grams of sugar and a 3 Musketeers bar has a whopping 40 grams! Too much sugar consumption is tied to a host of chronic diseases.

But just because you’re passing on the extra chocolate and sugar, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the sweet flavor of chocolate in more ways than one.

Try a Chocolate Substitute

Stevita Cocoa Delight is a decadent and delicious way to get your chocolate fix without the unhealthy side effects of sugar. Stevita Cocoa Delight combines powdered, organic stevia and rich cocoa powder to produce an irresistible chocolate flavor with minimal calories and carbs. Use this velvety cocoa mix in a variety of food, beverages and recipes without sacrificing the taste of chocolate.

Make Your Own Chocolate

Use melted, unsweetened chocolate and liquid stevia to make your own chocolate chunks or chips. All you need are a few dark chocolate bakers bars; use 1 ½ teaspoons of a liquid stevia drop per 6 ounces of baking chocolate for a sugar-free and dairy-free chocolate piece. Just spread the melted chocolate and stevia mixture on some wax paper and let it harden. Once the chocolate is set, just break it into pieces for a sweet treat. You can also use silicone shaped molds to create chocolate in a variety of chocolate shapes like hearts for Valentine’s Day or teddy bears for a treat for the kids.

Whip Up Sugar-free Chocolate Flavored Dessert

Skip the store-bought confections, and make your own. Baking at home allows you to have control over the ingredients you add to your desserts. You can make delicious cakes, cookies and candies by sweetening them with stevia and unsweetened chocolate. You can find a variety of recipes for healthier, chocolate-flavored desserts on our website. Fudge Balls, Chocolate Mousse and Chocolate Cheesecake are just a few of the amazing desserts you can make, bursting with sweet flavor without the unhealthy ingredients.

Try this Recipe for Homemade Peanut Butter Cups, Vegan & Sugar-Free

Ingredients:

1/3 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter, made without sugar

6 Ounces Unsweetened Baking Chocolate

1 ½ Tsps. Stevita Naturals Organic Stevia Liquid Drops

Coarse Salt for sprinkling on the chocolate if desired

Instructions:

Place the peanut butter in the fridge to chill. Line a muffin tin with 6 silicone liners or spray lightly with oil. Melt half of the chocolate in the microwave or a double broiler. Pour 1 tbs of melted chocolate into the bottom of each liner. Place the tin into the freezer for 10 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden. After 10 minutes, remove the muffin tin from the freezer and the peanut butter from the fridge. Place 2 tsps. of peanut butter into the center of each mini muffin liner, avoiding the sides. Lightly press the peanut butter down Place the muffin tin back in the freezer while you melt the remaining chocolate. Remove the muffin tin from the freezer and add 1 tbs to 2 tbs of the melted chocolate to each liner – enough to cover the peanut butter and leave a smooth top. Gently tap the muffin tip to help the chocolate spread over the peanut butter. Sprinkle coarse salt and place back in the freeze for an additional 10 minutes to harden.

Recipe by Mom Knows Best