Can you really be addicted to chocolate? I mean, like a drug or alcohol?

[CTyankee]

I had to give up wine a couple of years ago because it was making me sick. That was fine but now, suddenly, I can't eat enough chocolate. I love those fancy ice cream bars with choc. and nuts. I had to stop eating little snacks of chocolate like thin mints. I drink a Merlot that is made without alcohol (or made as Merlot first then had the alcohol removed), but only at dinner.

I really don't crave anything but chocolate.

[chocolatpi]

1. How about Nabisco Chocolate Pinwheels?

My diet downfall is always something made with chocolate. I love it all, dark, light, sweet, semisweet. Mrs. Sees chocolates are wonderful.

[elleng]

2. Can you be addicted to chocolate?

Though this is still a controversial topic, a growing amount of research supports treating food addictions like other types of substance addictions (3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

Addictive foods impact many of the same brain and nervous system pathways typically affected by drug addictions. They might also elicit behaviors similar to those caused by other addictions (4, 5, 7, 8).

Thus, food addiction may occur when specific foods or nutrients repeatedly trigger your brain’s reward system.

Addictive properties
Some foods are believed to be more addictive than others.

Highly processed foods that are high in sugar and fat — like many types of chocolate — are often considered more addictive than less processed foods like fruits and vegetables (5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12).

Here’s a look at how much sugar, fat, and carbs an average 1.5-ounce (45-gram) serving of chocolate contains (13, 14, 15, 16, 17):

As you can see, one serving of chocolate may contain up to half the DV for sugar and one-fifth of the DV for fat.

High carbohydrate foods — including chocolate and other sugary sweets — may cause addiction-like cravings. They also alter your blood sugar and hormone levels in ways similar to other addictive substances (5, 11).

Plus, these changes in blood levels affect dopamine in your body. Dopamine is a chemical messenger that plays an important role in your brain’s motivation and reward pathways (5, 6, 18, 19). >>>

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/chocolate-addiction

[CTyankee]

8. Well, I might not be because I do limit myself. That said, I spend money I never used to spend on

getting the best chocolate I can.

[csziggy]

3. Chocolate has caffeine in it so yeah, maybe addictive

I consider myself a chocoholic - for me the day is not complete until I have at least some chocolate. During the winter I make hot chocolate from my homemade cocoa mix; in the summer I make "magic" chocolate shake smoothies with the same mix. Those satisfy my cravings without adding a lot of calories.

Cocoa mix

2 cups sugar (or Splenda or whatever sugar substitute you prefer)
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cornstarch
1 pack (quart size) powdered milk
Mix thoroughly, store in a cool dry place.

To make hot chocolate, put two tablespoons in a cup, add 1 cup boiling water (or milk), about a tablespoon then stir, then gradually add the rest of the water (or milk).

"Magic Chocolate Shake Smoothie
Make in blender.
1 cup ice - blend until finely chopped
2 scoops (about 4 tablespoons) cocoa mix
1 scoop chocolate flavor protein powder (optional)
1/2 cup milk
Blend until smooth

Note - the protein powder makes it sort of foam up and actually makes it smoother, sort of the consistency of a thin milkshake.

To make a mocha version, add 1 teaspoon of instant coffee.

[wnylib]

13. I thought of the caffeine content, too.

Another possibility is that chocolate has magnesium in it, a mineral that the body requires. If someone doesn't have other food sources for magnesium, it could result in a craving for chocolate. Other sources for magnesium are:

Almonds, cashews, flaxseed, peanuts, pumpkin seeds

Black beans, lima beans, edamame

Quinoa, shredded wheat

Nonfat milk, plain yogurt

Cooked spinach

Eating some whole grains, legumes, nuts, fruits (maybe with yogurt or cottage cheese) and veggies every day should give enough magnesium. Food sources are better than supplements.

[csziggy]

17. Hmmm, maybe that is why I crave cashews sometimes

Almost as much as I crave chocolate!

[wnylib]

21. Could be. That would be my excuse

for getting some chocolate cashew bark. Dark chocolate has more magnesium than milk chocolate.

A piece of dark chocolate cashew bark a couple times a week should help. No need for it every day since other foods can provide magnesium, too.

[OriginalGeek]

4. For diabetical reasons

I am supposed to give up sugar.

And I am finding it to be realistically impossible.

And Chocolate is the number one reason why.

Even knowing I will almost certainly lose limb and life if I continue, I continue.


On a far more exciting note, this weekend my wife and I bought us a couple Florida Highwaymen paintings for our 35th anniversary. I love them and even if they go down in value I will always love them. Maybe I should try again cutting down sugar so I can enjoy them longer.

[Lars39]

5. Thanks for mentioning them!

First I’ve ever heard of them….love the art! Like having a Hawaiian shirt for your walls.

Chocolate and sugar…I somehow gave it up cold turkey a while back. Was hard at first, now I don’t crave it at all.

[OriginalGeek]

6. lol yep

I've been hearing about them on NPR for years and have always loved the ones I've seen online and we found ourselves in a small gallery that had several so we just decided to buy a couple. I actually only wanted one but she liked a different one so we got both lol.


(My wife and I are both native Floridians and the old nature scenes just appeal to us)


Maybe if I start collecting more of them I won't be able to afford chocolate so win/win!

[wnylib]

14. See my #13. Getting enough magnesium might help.

[OriginalGeek]

16. thanks! good to know.

there are several things on that list I already like so it should help although I do prefer my peanuts in butter cup form.

Fare thee well, Reese's - I loved you so!

I want to like yogurt but so far I've only been able to tolerate it when it's flavored and mixed with all the good stuff I shouldn't have. Whole milk, Greek Vanilla yogurt with Bear Naked Triple Berry granola and Cherry Infused Craisins is my favorite but I know all that added stuff has sugar so I always wonder if nothing would be better. But I can't eat nothing so if I don't eat that I'll scrounge for whatever else is in the house.

I'll get a small cup of plain yogurt and see if that drastically reduces my enjoyment and hopefully it won't. I think it would be a step in the right direction. Maybe replace the Craisins with almonds. (Bear Naked makes a vanilla almond granola that might also be good)

[csziggy]

18. My parents had a few of the Florida Highway paintings

I'm not sure who got them out of the estate. While I find them very appealing, I simply did not have the wall space for anymore pictures.

I'm glad there are people who still like the images and hope you enjoy your pictures for a very long time!

[OriginalGeek]

22. thank you!

I am at work and have already asked my wife to send me a picture of them because I miss them lol.

We think they will also be a good match if we get to move in the next year or so. We're on a waiting list for a 55+ community out closer to the coast and the décor in the neighborhood is more beachy themed than where we are now.

[csziggy]

23. I think these are some of the Florida Highwaymen pictures that were in my parents' house

But I am not certain - those were all in their house and I know some were Highwaymen pictures.

Dad lived in Polk County, Florida from 1925 when he was two until he died. Mom, since 1948, so they both appreciated Florida imagery and history.

[Voltaire2]

7. as the drug warriors basically redefined addiction to mean anything one can abuse

'yes'.

Can you get a physical dependence that can require medical intervention on withdrawal, like you can with alcohol or opiates? no.
There is a fairly short list of substances that can:
1) exhibit tolerance symptoms, requiring increasing dosage to satisfy the dependency
2) exhibit physical withdrawal symptoms, some of which are severe enough to require medical intervention.

But thanks the the deliberate conflation, gambling sex, tv, video games, snacks, pot, etc are all 'addictive'.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

9. There has long been a distinction drawn between psychological vs. physical addiction

I remember reading about it when I was a kid in the 1970's and I'd imagine it was a fairly old concept even then.

You are defining the properties of substances that are physically addictive.

Whereas just about anything one enjoys can be psychologically 'addictive'.

Gambling is a great example of something that can DEFINITELY be psychologically addictive, and cause tremendous harm. Sex can be too, if one engages in particularly risky behavior as a result. Same with overeating.

They're 'real addictions' in my book even if they don't involve a physically addictive substance.

[Voltaire2]

10. when the conflation is used to lump pot with heroin its bullshit

and the current f'ing war on drugs started in the early 70's. With Nixon.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

11. Agree on that count, and I think all drugs including heroin should be legal I would add (nt)

[milestogo]

12. Some things are called "soft addictions" and eating too many sweets is definitely one of them.

But it doesn't have the same characteristic as an addiction to drugs.

Judith Wright wrote a book on soft addictions.

https://judithwright.com/soft-addictions/

[DFW]

15. Briefly put....

If you should ever find yourself in the vicinity of Barcelona, and you see a sign saying "Fargas," run as fast as you can in the opposite direction!! It's the only way of not being induced into buying an apartment across the street and never leaving.

"And still those voices are calling from far away
Wake you up in the middle of the night,
Just to hear them say...
Welcome to the Hotel Barcelona....."

[CTyankee]

20. Hey, glad to see you back. I have done some research on hotels in Barcelona and I jotted down

the name/address of one I was going to ask you about. But alas! it has vanished in my pile of notes. I can explain: I am finishing my second book and have notes to myself all over my desk. Hopefully, I will find it soon and will PM you here at DU.

Hope your travels and family are wonderful. Stay tuned. I'll be back...

[Hotler]

19. I had an aunt that would drink cans of Hershey syrup when she got stressed.

That was back when there was pint cans and you had to use and old school beer opener.