Ever feel like you just cannot survive
one more minute without chocolate?

Does the very smell of chocolate make
your mouth water and your will weaken?

Is the melt in your mouth creaminess of chocolate
the one thing in life that you can never resist?

You are not alone. As a nation we consume 2,478,000,000 lbs of gooey, fudgey, creamy chocolates - about 10 lbs per person per year.

Why does chocolate have such control
over our will power?

Obviously, chocolate tastes good. In fact, more than 400 distinct flavor elements make up the taste we experience as chocolate. No other food is as complex in flavor.

In addition to delectable taste, chocolate contains chemicals which are similar to those released when we are in love, making us feel safe, loved and content. These amphetamine-like chemicals, phenylethylamine and tyramine, may be one reason some people feel addicted to chocolate. In addition, chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, both stimulants that may make you feel energetic.

Chocolate is made from cocoa beans which are roasted and ground to release rich flavors and cocoa butter. The calories come from the fat, not the flavors. Chocolate is 53% fat. Dark and white chocolate contain about the same number of calories. Calories are also added as sugar, milk, nuts and other ingredients.

One plain milk chocolate kiss has 21 calories, which would be fine if you could just eat one! If you eat a one-ounce bag full, calories jump to 152 - that's a lot of calories in a little package. In fact, it is the same calories as a large tossed salad with no-calorie dressing, a hard dinner roll and an apple!

So, is chocolate a no-no forever?

Certainly not! Here are some tricks.

Chocolate flavored hard candies - both with sugar and artificially sweetened, can satisfy your craving for chocolate taste without the cocoa butter calories.

Cocoa powders have the cocoa-butter or fat removed. A teaspoon of hot chocolate mix added to your coffee - hot or cold - gives a rich chocolate flavor.

Low-fat chocolate milk is also a good choice, providing calcium and protein.

Plain cocoa powder sprinkled over vanilla yogurt makes a chocolate treat.

Carob, tastes like chocolate but contains no fat. Use it in recipes instead of cocoa.

And what about fat-free chocolate desserts - cookies, cakes and frozen desserts?

Be careful! Most of these products add other ingredients to replace the flavor lost when part or all of the fat is removed. For example,
a 1-5/8 oz. serving of Pepperidge Farm Frozen German Chocolate Cake has 180 calories with 10 grams of fat and 22 grams of carbohydrate. A 2.5 oz. serving of Weight Watchers Frozen German Chocolate Cake has 200 calories with 7 grams of fat and 31 grams of charbohydrate. The serving of Weight Watchers cake is a little larger, but itis no great bargain!

If you must have the real thing, remember that a little chocolate never hurt anyone - nor did it make their diet efforts fail. Declare the third Tuesday of every month "Fat Tuesday" and indulge in your favorite chocolate delight. Or "kiss" yourself every time you exercise 30 minutes with a reward of 3 chocolate kisses. Or have a "melt down" session - each time you melt away five pounds, give yourself a half-cup serving of chocolate ice cream with a tablespoon of hot fudge topping. Plan carefully and be strict with yourself. Remember, if you do not pass "Go" do not accept 200 calories!

You can't cure chocolohism....but you can control it!....and enjoy a periodic spurge!

RECIPE for SUCCESS

CHOCOLATE CREME DREAM

1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 cups evaported skim milk
3 tablespoons unsweetened baker's cocoa
1 teaspoon instant coffee
5 teaspoons artificial sweetner
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1. In small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup water and let stand to soften.
2. In saucepan combine milk, cocoa and coffee.
   Beat with whisk and bring to a boil.
3. Stir in softened gelatin; reduce heat to low and cook until gelatin dissolves.
4. Remove from heat and stir in sweetner, vanilla and cinnamon.
5. Scrape into a bowl and chill until thick but not firm and whisk until fluffy.
6. Pour into individual molds and chill until firm.
7. To release from mold, quickly dip into warm water and invert into serving dish.

Serves 4 - 70 calories/serving.