Chocolate, Choices and Valentines

It's week 2 and keeping your daily food journal may becoming more of a habit by now. Since today is St. Valentine's Day you may have been given chocolate or have already eaten some. You may have noticed that there is no recommended daily portion guideline for chocolate although many consider it a unique food group on its own... If you are having chocolate and it comes with a label, take a look and evaluate where most of the calories are coming from. Usually the calories are from fat and sugar. In general, chocolate candy contains about 100 calories per ounce. The food news is that even if you are following the guidelines for 800 calories, you have 100 "Your Choice Calories" that you can use to enjoy a piece of chocolate. I don't recommend choosing candy for your extra calories on a daily basis but if you prepare and plan ahead, you will be able to fit in special foods occasionally and still manage your weight.
Maggie