How to replace chocolate: a nutritionist gave advice

If you're not ready to give up chocolate, but for some reason, you can't eat it anymore, there is a great, completely harmless alternative – carob – a crushed powder obtained from pre-dried carob fruit.

Nutritionist Svitlana Fus shared on her Instagram page how much and how to use carob.

It is important that the fruit is rich in fiber, antioxidants, and has an antiseptic effect. They are especially good to use in case of gastrointestinal disorders.

However, the nutritionist does not recommend giving children under 3 years old foods containing carob, as it can harm the body.

Adults also need to remember that this product can be an allergen for your body, so you need to introduce it into your diet gradually and in small quantities.

Fuss noted that carob powder is most often used in baking. But it can also be a complete substitute for cocoa and caffeine for people who cannot or do not want to use it.

It can be added to dried fruits, dates, nuts, and makes excellent healthy sweets.

It's worth noting that the fat content of carob is 10 to 11 times lower than that of cocoa powder, and it contains 3 times more calcium. At the same time, the product even has its sweetness.

"The powder contains vitamins such as choline, B vitamins, vitamin PP, C, and E. Minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, selenium, copper, manganese, iron, phosphorus, and sodium. As well as dietary fiber, water, ash, and small amounts of saturated fatty acids," the nutritionist said.