Widgets, Inc

Most people don’t think of chocolate as a low-calorie snack, but it can be! You can enjoy chocolate in a healthy way by choosing pre-packaged single-serving snack items, which help to control portions and keep calories low.

Opt for dark chocolate whenever possible, since it is lower in sugar-based calories. You can quickly whip up your own low-calorie chocolate snacks at home or add powdered cocoa to foods and beverages, as well.

Most people have experienced cravings for chocolate at some point in their lives. In fact, for many people trying to lose weight chocolate is diet enemy number one, and a food with which people often have a love/hate relationship.

Known to be high in fat and calories and a key contributor to weight gain when consumed too often, chocolate is often the treat we just can’t turn down.

Low-calorie versions of traditional food varieties are being introduced as consumers seek out a healthier alternative to their favorite edibles, which is evident with new products like the Red Chocolate Bars coming about.

Developed by Switzerland-based SIA Chocolate Confectionary, the chocolate bar lineup is naturally sweetened, free of added sugar and made from ingredients that have been sourced from plants and fruit.

Read also: Here are 10 Best Low Calorie Filling Snacks

The chocolates contain between 35 and 45% fewer calories than alternative chocolate treats, which makes them ideal for the rising number of consumers seeking a healthier way to indulge.

Here are some lists of low-calorie chocolate snacks that we summarized:

1. Yogurt Dipped Fruit

This one's sweet—literally. Start by making the yogurt coating mixture by combining 1 cup of your favorite Greek yogurt with 1/4 cup confectioner's sugar. Blend until completely smooth.

Now get dipping: Coat your favorite fruits (grapes, bananas, apple slices, and strawberries work well) in the yogurt mixture and set on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Once full, place the sheet in the freezer until the yogurt hardens.

(The sugar is what creates the semi-hard shell on the outside of the fruit. If you like, you can omit the sugar and just keep the fruit frozen so the yogurt "shell" stays intact.)

2. Flavored Greek Yogurt

Typically, we opt for plain yogurt with our own tailored flavorings to cut back on sugar. However, if you’re looking to indulge a bit in the first place, a small cup of flavored Greek yogurt is a great option. Even though it has some sugar, it also offers a good amount of protein and will keep you full until that next meal.

3. Frozen Grapes

Pop a vine in the freezer for a few hours and out comes a long-lasting, slightly sweet treat packed with antioxidants and other nutrients. The biggest health boost? Resveratrol, which studies suggest may help lower levels of LDL cholesterol and promote blood vessel health.

4. Frozen Greek Yogurt Drops

This one’s brilliant. It’s this simple to turn a cup of plain old Greek yogurt into a quick frozen treat that’s fun to eat: Combine 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt with ½ cup frozen berries and stir it all up until the fruit has broken down and the mixture has an even consistency.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and drop 1/4 teaspoons of the mixture onto the sheet, leaving enough room between each drop so they don’t touch. Freeze for a few hours until solid and pour all the drops into a plastic baggie. Store in the freezer until you’re ready to snack!

5. Graham Cracker with Peanut Butter

This is a classic combo. The graham cracker is just sweet enough and the peanut butter adds a luxurious silky smooth texture. If you need a little more sweetness, opt for chocolate or cinnamon-flavored graham crackers. Bonus points for getting an extra dose of calcium when enjoyed with a small glass of low-fat milk!

6. PB&J

We’ll admit it: A good portion of the Greatist office is addicted to peanut butter and jelly. Half of a classic sandwich on whole wheat bread (grape, strawberry, or whatever type of jelly you like) provides an excellent amount of sweetness with a little dose of protein and fiber to boot.

7. Dark Chocolate

Sorry, friends—not any old chocolate bar will send you to healthful heaven. But dark chocolate (think more than 70 percent cacao), which lacks all the added fat and sugar of classic milk chocolate, can actually be a healthy treat in moderation.

Dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants and can even help regulate levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.

Read also: Low-Calorie Snacks for Work

8. Frozen Chocolate Banana

This is the perfect frozen sweet treat with some extra nutritional punch! Bananas are a great source of vitamins C and B6 and are also packed with fiber and potassium. Peel a banana, cut into two equal halves, and freeze.

Once solid, take out and roll in melted dark chocolate. While the chocolate’s still melty, roll in whichever crunchy topping you like—sprinkles, nuts, and granola all work well! Return to the freezer until the chocolate is set (at least an hour). Enjoy!

9. Choco-Nut Popcorn

Pop a small bag of natural popcorn and top with 1 tablespoon melted peanut butter and a dusting of cocoa powder. Crunchy and the perfect amount of sweetness! Not sweet enough? Try swapping peanut butter for Nutella.

10. Chocolate milk

There are many low fats, sugar-free chocolate beverages on the market that can satisfy your chocolate craving and provide valuable nutrients such as calcium. Some are even fortified to contain even more nutritional value. Many brands offer small, portion controlled tetra packs which are great for having on hand at work or on the run and prevent you from going over the 100 calorie limit.

11. Chocolate flavored cereal

Cereals are not just for breakfast. Small servings can make the ideal nutritious snack and chocolate flavored options can give you your chocolate fix. Look for varieties that are high in fiber, low in fat and sugar and fortified with other vitamins such as iron for the most benefits. Check the recommended portion size and a half this for a calorie controlled snack.

12. Low fat and sugar ice creams and frozen yogurts.

From Weight Watchers to Skinny Cow and a whole host of other brands in between, there are a huge number of 100 calories per serving ice creams on the market. Modern food technology means the flavor of such products continues to improve and they are good options to satisfy a sweet tooth, or a chocolate craving if the chocolate options are chosen.

Most of these products promote the fact that they only have 100 calories per bar, sandwich or tub, so it’s easy to know how much you can eat for the calories.

13. Cherries and other berries

Berries and cherries also have the luxurious, treat feel that we associate with chocolate. They are sweet and flavorsome and make the perfect after dinner treat. Berries are the lowest calorie fruits and are full of antioxidants and fiber making them an ideal chocolate replacement. Best of all you can eat a lot for very few calories, so they make a healthy grazing option.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. Healthy-best.blogspot.com does not claim responsibility for this information.

13 Low-Calorie Chocolate Snacks That You Can Enjoy