Healthy Dark Chocolate Bars

 0. Enjoy the tasty flavors of natural cocoa without all the added sweet stuff.

 

1. Taza Chocolate Sea Salt and Almond Organic 80% Dark Chocolate. This indulgent dark chocolate bar is made with roasted almonds and 80% cacao. “If you can get 70% or more cocoa and get some almonds thrown in, I can’t argue with that,” offers Sosos. Taza chocolate is stone-ground, so it will have a slightly grainy texture, which some people prefer, instead of milky smooth.

● Nutrition per serving: 210 cal, 4 g pro, 14 g carb, 3 g fiber, 7 g sugars, 16 g fat (9 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 154 mg sodium. BEST DARK CHOCOLATE

2. Lindt Excellence 70% Dark Chocolate Bar. LINDT recommends trying Lindt’s 70% cocoa, which is a full-bodied chocolate bar that tastes balanced so it’s not too bitter. Bonus: This dark chocolate comes in a case, so you enjoy some now and have plenty left over for later (or to share!). Even better, they’re under $3 a pop!

Nutrition per serving: 190 cal, 2 g pro, 13 g carb, 2 g fiber, 2 g sugars (9 g added sugars), 14 g fat (9 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 5 mg sodium. BEST VALUE DARK CHOCOLATE

3. PASCHA 85% Dark Chocolate Bar . If you have food allergies, Pascha’s organic dark chocolate will give you peace of mind: It’s completely free of nuts, dairy, wheat, gluten, and most common allergens. Made with only four ingredients and 85% cacao, these sustainably sourced chocolate bars give you rich flavor without all of those unhealthy additives. Approved Sosos.

Nutrition per serving: 160 cal, 3 g pro, 10 g carb, 3 g fiber, 4 g sugars (4 g added sugars), 12 g fat (8 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 0 mg sodium . BEST ALLERGEN-FREE DARK CHOCOLATE

4. Lily’s Sweets Extra Dark Chocolate Bar. Looking for a chocolate bar that steers completely clear of sugar? This option from Lily’s uses stevia to sweeten its 70% cocoa formula, meaning there’s no added sugar at all. And  this bar is keto-friendly. 

Nutrition per serving: 130 cal, 3 g pro, 15 g carb, 8 g fiber, 0 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 12 g fat (7 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 0 mg sodium . BEST SUGAR-FREE DARK CHOCOLATE

5. THEO Chocolate Sea Salt Organic Dark Chocolate Bar. Calling all savory-meets-sweet dessert fans. Clocking in at 70% cacao, you can enjoy its delicious sea salt flavor while appreciating the healthy antioxidants. The brand THEO also comes in delicious flavors, like citrus and caramel bars.

Nutrition per serving: 160 cal, 2 g pro, 14 g carb, 3 g fiber, 9 g sugars (9 g added sugars), 11 g fat (6 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 100 mg sodium . BEST SEA SALT DARK CHOCOLATE

6. Hu Kitchen Salty 70% Dark Chocolate Bar. If you’re newly committed to a healthy diet but secretly worried about missing out on treats like chocolate, don’t fret. This 70% cacao vegan chocolate bar with French sea salt is a savory twist on the classic, minus unhealthy additives. Let the ingredients list speak for itself: organic cacao, unrefined organic coconut sugar, organic fair-trade cocoa butter, and sea salt.

Nutrition per serving: 180 cal, 2 g pro, 13 g carb, 3 g fiber, 9 g sugars (8 g added sugars), 13 g fat (8 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 105 mg sodium. BEST VEGAN DARK CHOCOLATE BAR

Hu

GET BACK TO HUMAN

SALTY

DARK CHOCOLATE

ORGANIC 70% CACAO

VEGAN | PALEO

NO REFINED SUGAR

NO DAIRY/SOY

NO CANE SUGAR

NO SUGAR ALCOHOLS

NO PALM OIL

NO LECITHINS

NO ERYTHRITOL

NO EMULSIFIERS

USDA ORGANIC

Net Wt. 2.1 oz (60g)

7. Ghirardelli Chocolate Company Intense Dark 86% Cacao Dark Chocolate.

For those looking for a super-dark option (that might taste good crushed and sprinkled atop some froyo—just a suggestion), this bitter bar offers the cacao taste without too much added sugar. But, it does pack quite a bit of fat in its three-piece serving size.

Nutrition per serving: 190 cal, 3 g pro, 11 g carb, 4 g fiber, 4 g sugars (4 g added sugars), 19 g fat (11 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 0 mg sodium.

8. K'UL K’ul Organic 70% Dark Chocolate Bar, Wild Ginger & Cayenne . Three Choices : 

A. HIMALAYA SEA SALT

B. PURE DARK CHOCOLATE 

C. TOASTED COCONUT 

These organic, hand-crafted chocolate bars have a rich, velvety texture with a unique flavor profile. Plus, you’ll feel good knowing that you’re contributing to the livelihood of the women’s cooperatives and cacao farmers in the Dominican Republic and Peru, who produce this company’s organic chocolate.

Nutrition per serving: 190 cal, 3 g pro, 21 g carb, 8 g fiber, 12 g sugars (11 g added sugars), 14 g fat (8 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 0 mg sodium .

9. Tony’s Chocolonely 70% Dark Chocolate Bar . With six servings per bar, this seriously big sweet from Dutch chocolatier Tony’s Chocolonely should satisfy your cravings for weeks (or just days) to come. And unlike other brands, Tony’s works directly with farmers in Ghana and the Ivory Coast, producing chocolate that’s certified slave-free.

Nutrition per serving: 170 cal, 2 g pro, 12 g carb, 4 g fiber, 8 g sugars (8 g added sugars), 13 g fat (8 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 0 mg sodium .

10. Almonds & Sea Salt in Strong Dark Chocolate. For a dark chocolate bar with extra crunch, seek out Chocolove’s almonds and sea salt-studded option. It’s both ethically sourced and certified non-GMO. From Belgian Chocolate. 

Nutrition per serving: 211 cal, 3 g pro, 19 g carb, 3 g fiber, 14 g sugars, 14 g fat (7 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 97 mg sodium .

How to choose the healthiest chocolate

Dig dark chocolate. Grab a bar with 70% cocoa or higher (more cocoa equals more flavonoids). If dark chocolate tastes too bitter for you, dark milk chocolate is a pretty sweet compromise—it has less sugar and more cocoa than traditional milk chocolate, which may have as little as 10%. If it says “milk chocolate” but has a cocoa percentage of 38% or higher, you’ll know it’s dark milk.

Read the ingredients. Chocolate, cocoa, or cacao should appear first in the ingredient list, meaning there’s more of it by weight. If sugar is first on the list or you see unfamiliar ingredients, steer clear, says Young.

Know your source. Dutch-processed cocoa tends to have a reduced flavonoid content because of how the chocolate is processed, while one recent study found that cocoa beans from Colombia had the highest flavonoid content, likely because of things like plant variety and geography.

The health benefits of dark chocolate

There has been lots of research on dark chocolate, but the hype has outpaced the science. Translation: Eating dark chocolate won’t instantly or directly accomplish any of the above. What is certain is that cocoa is rich in three types of flavonoids—phytochemicals in nearly all plant-based foods that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers. This is important because chronic inflammation is linked to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic syndrome, asthma, heart disease, and cancer. “These compounds also benefit cardiovascular health by improving blood flow, reducing the risk of clotting, and improving blood pressure levels,” says Whitney Linsenmeyer, Ph.D., R.D., a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Cocoa is also rich in iron, zinc, copper, and magnesium.

How much dark chocolate is healthy to eat?

There isn’t a specific amount to eat to get the boost of flavonoids from dark chocolate. Studies suggest the dosage of flavonoids varies. But experts confirm that dark chocolate is best consumed in moderation, like you would any other piece of candy. “It’s best reserved as a treat,” says Lisa R. Young, Ph.D., R.D.N., an adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University and the author of Finally Full, Finally Slim. “Yes, it does contain antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins, and minerals, but let’s not call it a health food—it still contains plenty of sugar and fat.” In other words, aim for 1/4 of a full-size bar.

How we chose the best dark chocolate

Read nutrition labels, poured through countless reviews, and did some of our own testing along to find the tastiest, healthiest dark chocolate bars.

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