HOT chocolate could help you lose weight, claims a diet expert.
A cup of cocoa, made at home from unsweetened powder, can increase your fiber intake and prevent you from feeling hungry.
Health coach Steve Bennett said that while nuts and seeds are great fiber-rich foods, hot chocolate can help slimmers who have a sweet tooth.
Fiber digests slowly, which makes you feel fuller for longer and can eliminate cravings for snacks – often the cause of weight gain.
Steve, author of Fiber First, said: “Having more fiber in your diet makes you eat less and makes you feel fuller for longer.
“Cocoa powder, which should be the main ingredient in hot chocolate, is rich in fiber.
The problem with store-bought versions in the UK is that they contain a lot of sugar and electronic numbers.
“But you can have a simple, healthy version that tastes just as good.”
His recipe is 200ml of warm milk, two heaped tablespoons of pure cocoa powder and two teaspoons of stevia sweetener.
The NHS warns that most people need more fiber.
On average, adults consume just 20g of the recommended 30g per day.
Cocoa powder contains about 28% fiber. Other good sources include avocado, porridge and potato skins.
A 2015 study of 240 people found that those who simply aimed to hit the 30g per day goal lost an average of 5 pounds in a year.
Steve, founder of the charity Public Health Collaboration, added: “Diets are all based on giving things up and people don’t like that.
“If you put fiber first, you can eat whatever you want later, but you’ll end up eating less because you’ll feel fuller.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story