Chocolate cravings are amongst the most common food cravings people experience. Plus, they can get pretty intense, which can be tricky. We usually crave foods that aren’t the best for us, so it’s good to know what to do when that happens if you still want to maintain a healthy diet.

A lot of people are wondering what chocolate cravings actually are. Does it simply mean we’re craving something sweet and delicious? Or is there more to it?

Research shows that our chocolate cravings can hold a deeper meaning. They can be our body's way of communicating essential messages about our well-being.

Chocolate cravings can have a wide range of causes - from low energy, hunger, magnesium deficiency, stress, and more.

Knowing the cause can help you fight those cravings long-term. However, no matter what the cause is, there are plenty of healthy ways you can satisfy your cravings for chocolate, without eating all of that sugar and calories.

So, in this post, I’ll share ways you can satisfy your chocolate craving, aka what to eat when you’re craving chocolate if you want to eat something healthier and better for you, that actually has health benefits.

Before we get into the actual food ideas, I also want to note that if you want to eat chocolate, there’s nothing wrong with that. As long as you’re meals are overall healthy, and you’re eating healthy food that nourishes your body and gives you the nutrients and minerals you need, eating some chocolate every now and then isn’t a bad thing.

But if you want to find healthier alternatives that will curb your chocolate cravings when you get them, keep reading.

What To Eat When Craving Chocolate

Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate is a much healthier option than regular milk chocolate. It’s rich in antioxidants and has other health benefits, but it will still satisfy your chocolate craving. It can be used in any dish where you’d use milk chocolate, and you can just eat it plane when you start craving chocolate.

It’s the most obvious “substitute”, but it’s a better choice than milk chocolate, especially if you crave chocolate often.

Fresh Fruit

While fresh fruit doesn’t have a chocolate flavor, the sweetness from the fruit might satisfy your cravings, as it can satisfy your sweet tooth.

You can go for some fruit that’s higher in sugar, like bananas.

It’s a great way to satisfy the sweet tooth without eating food with added sugar.

Nut Butters

Nut butters are full of healthy fats, and they can be considered high-protein snacks, especially peanut butter.

While they don’t have a chocolate flavor, their sweet and nutty flavor might satisfy your cravings, and they can substitute the chocolate in certain desserts. Optionally, you can mix unsweetened cocoa powder into the nut butters to get a more chocolatey spread, that might be closer to what you’re craving.

Energy Balls

A great thing to eat when you’re craving chocolate is homemade energy balls. They’re typically made with dates, nuts, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt. They’ll remind you of chocolate flavor due to cocoa powder and the sweetness from dates while being a healthier and more nutritious option.

3 Ingredient Banana Cookies

Here’s a great dessert to make that should satisfy your chocolate craving. It only contains a little bit of added sugar, so this is not only a nutritious snack, but a healthy one as well. Plus, it’s low in calories, as it’s right below 300 kcal. 

293 calories

Ingredients:

• 0.3 Tbsp Cacao powder - 6 calories

• 1 Banana - 105 calories

• ½ cup Oatmeal, dry oats (uncooked) - 150 calories

• 2 tsp Sugar - 32 calories

Instructions:

1. Mash banana with a fork.

2. Combine all ingredients and mix evenly.

3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

4. Spoon mixture evenly onto tray and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Chocolate Banana Smoothie

This chocolate banana smoothie doesn’t actually contain chocolate, but the flavor will make you think it does! For an extra chocolatey flavor, the protein powder you choose can be a chocolate protein powder!

354 calories

Ingredients:

• 1 Banana - 105 calories

• 1 Protein powder - 120 calories

• ¼ tsp Cinnamon - 0 calories

• 1 cup Almond milk - 30 calories

• 1 Tbsp Peanut butter (Tbsp) - 94 calories

• ¼ Tbsp Cocoa powder - 5 calories

Instructions:

1. Slice banana & freeze overnight, or use fresh if you prefer.

2. Blend all ingredients together in a blender. Add ice if you need to.

Chocolate Avocado Mousse

This is another dessert that doesn’t technically contain chocolate, but it will definitely help you curb your chocolate craving.

Simply combine ripe avocados, unsweetened cocoa powder, a sweetener (like agave syrup or stevia), and a splash of vanilla extract.

Then, blend everything until it becomes smooth and creamy, and you will get a luscious and nutritious “chocolate” mousse.

This dessert is rich in healthy fats and provides a velvety chocolate experience (with no actual chocolate).

P.S. If you’re looking for tips to stop binge eating, I got you covered.