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[carrie11]

I've just noticed how my appetite increases whenever I'm all stressed out. Which makes me wonder if chocolates really help me feel a bit better, i know that it does sound strange but I whenever I'm so stressed I always look for chocolates then after a while i feel much better. how about you, how do you manage stress?

[swanso5]

i just don't let myself get stressed, ecspecially when it's something i can't change...no point worrying about it then

i'd rather lay on the couch and watch some friends re runs

[Boss Man]

Watching friends would stress me out big time. Ugghh.

I don't often get stressed. occasional moments give me a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach, like one of those I wish that hadn't happened moments, but generally, I try not to let life get to me.

Chocolate won't make you feel better, unless you think it does. Whilst it's not a problem food in modest amounts, the Theobromine is a Methylxanthine, and can have similar addictive / withdrawal symptoms to Caffeine.

[SarahPT]

Many women (and some men) will tell you that chocolate seems to ease their stress. It's tempting, but there are other ways. Think about other things that you like to do. Is there a nice spot where you like to walk? Hot baths? Asking someone to rub your back? Looking at your favorite website? When your stressed out and tempted to have chocolates or something else unhealthy make it a priority to do something else that can ease your stress.

Also, if you do give in and have some chocolates, don't let yourself feel guilty. No one is perfect.

[Boss Man]

Good point. We as humans moan sometimes about things, and have our little gripes and whatnot, but if the world was perfect, humans would be very bored, and probably start wondering if evolution was all it was cracked up to be.

I say perfection could be the unobtainable want, but the unbearable reality.

Things like TV, Films, surfing, music etc etc, and sometimes being a goofball, get me through life to some extent. All candidates for stress relief in my book.

[carrie11]

well yeah it's probably all in the mind, but either way it still helps me overcome stress.

[sclason]

I have this problem with needing to feed my addiction of chocolate and I don't have enough self control to stop

[JNicole2009]

I think too often we, as women especially, relate emotional times to chocolate/sweets. Valentine's Day = chocolates; anniversaries = chocolate; weddings = sweets; break ups = pint of ice cream. We see it in movies all of the time where the girls go out for ice cream or drinks or lay on the couch devouring a whole pack of cookies after a break up or fight. It has been ingrained in our minds that sweets will help anyone overcome any pains. what if there was a way you could rewrite this script? Tell yourself that something more "clean" and healthy would release the same endorphins that the sweets do that can trigger the seretonin in your brain to be released. Instead of grabbing cookies, go for something like warm chicken breast and steamed broccoli. With me, having something warm on my stomach satisfies me faster than empty calories and the warmth = comfort for me. Though emotional eating should be managed and recognized, if you feel like you are are going to eat, make it healthy and remember that extra sweets = extra depression in the morning when you wake up and see the damage you have done!

[amatlack]

So these are MEGA expensive but the last a long time:

http://salliesockwellscott.isagenix.com/us/en/isadelight.dhtml

They are dark chocolates, and they contain the range of amino acids your body needs to quiet down. You eat two and are completely satisfied. I don't like anything else in this product range, but I love these damn chocolates.

[Boopster]

[littleshelly]

I love chocolate. Especially brownies and chocolate cake. I don't eat it because I am stressed. I eat it because it tastes good. There are health benefits to dark chocolate. http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20030827/dark-chocolate-is-healthy-chocolate and there are actual reasons why it makes you feel good. http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/indepth.food/sweets/chocolate.cravings/index.html

[katiesuarez]

Here is a bit of info about chocolate:

Romantic lore commonly identifies chocolate as an aphrodisiac. The reputed aphrodisiac qualities of chocolate are most often associated with the simple sensual pleasure of its consumption. Additionally, chocolate's sweet and fatty nature may stimulate the hypothalamus, inducing pleasureable sensations as well as affecting the levels of serotonin.[57] While serotonin has a pleasurable effect, in high concentrations it can be converted to melatonin which in large amounts reduces sexual drive.[57] Finally, chocolate has been shown to contain unsaturated N-acylethanolamines which might activate cannabinoid receptors or increase endocannabinoid levels resulting in heightened sensitivity and euphoria.

[Boss Man]

Another issue with Chocolate is the Theobromine content.

Being a Methylxanthine like Caffeine, the Theobromine Xanthines get converted by Xanthine Hydrogenase enzyme, to Uric Acid, which means long term, Chocolate could be a contributary factor in Gout, (Uric Acid around the Joints).

However it should be noted Uric Acid levels largely depend on other things like Caffine intake, Theophyline intake, and Nitrogen to UC conversion from Protein and Saturates. Not to mention water levels in the body, as UC has no enzymes to break it down, so the water in the body is used to help get rid of it.

[healthguru]

I actually notice that I get cravings whenever I have important meeting or datelines, but my girlfriend gets strong chocolate cravings right before she gets her period, because of this I believe cravings are related to a decrease in our defense system.

[Boss Man]

Good point. Could be true.

I got a shock once when I read the body could crave Water. My response was, but water is Calories free, stimulant free, and has not Sugar or Fat in it, what would cause that?

I don't know if it's a craving for water in general, but if it was Tap water possibly you might get some kind of Flouride withdrawal perhaps.

Other than that possibly a craving for lost minerals not consumed via bottled Water.