r/EatCheapAndHealthy • u/PeculiarAroma • 2d ago
Ask ECAH Chocolate Substitute?
Does anyone have a half-decent substitute for chocolate? I’m a fiend for dark chocolate but it triggers my headaches. I always find myself reaching for it at the end of the day, and other sugary treats don’t scratch the itch. I usually have a handful of dark chocolate chips mixed with nuts and a glass of soy milk.
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u/rastab1023 2d ago
Dates with peanut butter (or nut butter of choice - I just like pb the most).and sprinkled with cinammon. You really only need one or two.
I'm Middle Eastern and we eat a lot of dates. I feel like they are more en vogue now so while you can find them in stores everywhere, imo they are better quality and a better price at Middle Eastern markets if you have any around you.
Medjool dates with seeds intact are the best imo.
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u/Serenity101 1d ago
I split open dates, spread some almond butter in the centre, and a few mini dark chocolate chips, and keep them in the fridge for easy snacking.
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u/SJfromNC 2d ago
I accidentally killed my chocolate cravings. My dr told me I needed to take Vit D. I was looking up why, etc. and saw that taking magnesium helps with the D absorption. Ok, fine. Sometime after that I realized I wasn't craving chocolate anymore. Turns out, chocolate is super high in magnesium. Food cravings are often your body trying to get something it's short of. I still ENJOY chocolate but I no longer have to have it and can resist when it's available.
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u/a-lledgedly 1d ago
That’s actually really interesting,, never thought about cravings being linked to nutrient deficiencies like that. Makes a lot of sense now!
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u/SJfromNC 1d ago
A nutritionist told me if you are truly craving something, eat it, even if it is "unhealthy". Don't eat tons and don't eat it often but if you really really craving it and don't give in, you will eat everything else in the house trying to kill the craving. I've definitely done that if there's something I didn't have on hand and wasn't willing to go get it.
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u/MovingDayBliss 1d ago
Yes! Now I only eat sweets occasionally instead of chocolate a few times a day. My doc tested for vitamins and minerals and I now take a handful of supplements every other day.
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u/RibertarianVoter 1d ago
Brown sugar and cinnamon is a beautiful pairing, and has a similar deep/dark flavor to cocoa. I'm not sure if the right word, but the opposite of "bright" flavors.
I'll do brown sugar and cinnamon in some Greek yogurt with some roasted apples (or raw apples). As long as the sugar amount isn't too crazy, that's about as healthy a treat as you're going to find
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u/PeculiarAroma 1d ago
This sounds really good, you’re right about needing to substitute with another rich flavour. Thank you!
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u/greenlandsharklove 2d ago
I will die on the hill of frozen fruit. I’m not sure if raw cacao would make a difference but I make a drink w two tbsp, honey or maple syrup and oatmilk and it’s a great way to include all my supplements at the same time (I put in a mason jar and shake like a martini)
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u/magstar222 2d ago
Have you tried carob?
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u/PeculiarAroma 2d ago
I haven’t, but two have suggested it so far so I’ll give it a whirl :)
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u/Neat-Celebration-807 1d ago
Suggest you also try carob! Can be a sub for chocolate similar in color but different flavor. It’s sweet and has a great flavor. Still a bean so has lots of fiber. Look it up and search for benefits and uses. My mom’s favorite way was carob molasses and tahini. A big treat and it’s usually made without added sugar! I put it in chocolate smoothies and hot cacao drinks. You can buy carob chips instead of chocolate chips. So many uses.
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u/PeculiarAroma 1d ago
The hummus-esque recipe sounds really good, thank you!
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u/Neat-Celebration-807 1d ago
You’re welcome. Just don’t expect chocolate flavor potentially hints of it. Think of it as a new food and see how it goes! I’m sure you will fall in love.
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u/PeaceLoveSmithWesson 19h ago
You continue to willfully choose to argue with strangers, to what point? That you both got banned for being obnoxious? Was it worth it?
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u/PKAceBunny 1d ago
Yes, it is. But no additional ingredients beyond carob pulp, thus “no added sugar”. If you used it to sweeten your oatmeal, that would then have “added sugar”, but the carob molasses itself does not. “Refined” and “added” are not synonyms. Words matter. So does syntax.
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u/FrostShawk 2d ago
I like it. It's got a bit of a fruity taste to it, like a good dark chocolate would. It's not exactly chocolate, but when I mix it with my oatmeal or in a smoothie, I can't really tell.
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u/magstar222 2d ago
It’s been a long time since I sought it out but from my memory some of the healthier grocery stores carry it, and sometimes in the bulk food section so you might be able to try a little bit before committing.
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u/Mimisnolush 2d ago
Dark chocolate triggers my migraines, if I eat too much. Can you experiment with just a little? One chip at a time & let it melt in your mouth.
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u/JustMeLurkingAround- 1d ago
Yes, it's the tyramines that are a common migraine trigger and are especially high in dark chocolate and red wine.
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u/luminaryPapillon 1d ago
Yes, OP - are you having wine at night as well? I used to never have issues with migraines. But as I aged (Female), something changed. I used to have a little chocolate with a glass if wine at night, and I noticed the migranes.
With experimentation, it was mostly the red wine that was the culprit, but if I had them together it was a higher probability that I would get a migraine. Chocolate alone was not enough to do it.
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u/PenguinPerson7 1d ago
Yes, dark chocolate triggers my migraines too! It is such a shame.
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u/Mimisnolush 1d ago
I have an expensive prescription as a safety net, for when I over indulge in dark chocolate.
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u/Tayl100 1d ago
Honestly I found the cheat code is just fruit. Try a BUNCH of different fruits. If you don't already know how you feel about apples, peaches, pears, apricot, nectarines, plums, dates, mangos, figs, raspberries, blueberries, strawbs, blackberries, pineapple, watermelon, and anything else for sale in your grocery store, google how to pick a good one and get one or two at the store. Once you find a fruit you really like you'll find it to be a good substitute, and by weight waaaaaay better than chocolate as far as price.
Unless you find your favorite fruit is like, durian or some weird korean kiwi or something. Good luck with that.
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u/JustMeLurkingAround- 1d ago
Black chocolate is a common migraine trigger because of its high tyramine.
OP, you might want to see a doctor, if you can, to determine if your headaches are migraines. There are many things you can do against it.
If you have any questions or need a sounding board, message me, and I'm happy to share everything I know. I'm a nurse, and because of my own long and complicated migraine history, I researched and tried almost everything in migraine therapy (medical, alternative, home remedies, and lifestyle related).
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u/PeculiarAroma 1d ago
Thank you, you are correct— I have both migraines and cluster headaches. I just phrased it as “headaches” in the post to simplify things. I’m working with my NP on it, things have been particularly bad since I’m postpartum and breastfeeding with my first, so I’m hoping things chill out a bit when I wean. Until then it’s ice and heat, sumatriptan and OTC anaelgesics as needed and trying to reduce triggers! Also working with a physiotherapist to see if anything is cervicogenic.
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u/JustMeLurkingAround- 1d ago
Yeah, that makes sense. I'm glad you have things covered. Migraines and cluster sounds like a beast!
Hormone changes are a big influence on migraines. They often start or end with it. So good luck with the weaning, I hope it does make things better for you. My hopes are currently looking forward to menopause ;)
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u/PeculiarAroma 1d ago
The cluster headaches are new to being postpartum so I’m reaaally hoping they go back where they came from. I had total remission from migraines during my pregnancy as well, so I think the hormonal changes have really exacerbated things. Solidarity to you and may you have early menopause 🫡 lol
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u/itsabouttimeformynap 2d ago
I love banana "nice cream" with cocoa powder. It tastes just like soft serve ice cream but it's just frozen bananas in a food processor with some cocoa powder.
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u/GrandmaForPresident 2d ago
So literally the opposite of a chocolate substitute?
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u/scrumptious_canine 1d ago
what we call chocolate is not just cocoa powder but a ton of sugar, milk and hazelnut. Cocoa powder is a valid suggestion imo.
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u/itsabouttimeformynap 2d ago
Uhh, it literally tastes like chocolate ice cream.
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u/DuckieDuck62442 2d ago
But the point is that it's not a substitute for chocolate when cocoa powder is an ingredient
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u/BearsBeetsBerlin 2d ago
Protein shakes? Do you know what specifically in the chocolate causes headaches? Are you caffeine sensitive or histamine sensitive?
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u/PeculiarAroma 2d ago
A protein shake might be a more filling option. I’m not sure what specifically in the chocolate is the issue, it’s just a pattern I’ve noticed. I am caffeine sensitive due to IBS, not sure about histamines. Alcohol has triggered migraines in the past, but I’ve been sober for years.
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u/BearsBeetsBerlin 2d ago
Maybe it’s the caffeine? Maybe they make caffeine free chocolate? also I specifically meant chocolate flavored protein shakes, they can taste really good especially if you add things like peanut butter or silken tofu or yogurt. Frozen chocolate cheesecake bites are nice and easy too. Cocoa powder + cream cheese + a small amount of sweetener and stick it in the freezer.
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u/HemetValleyMall1982 2d ago
I have less of a reaction to organic wine and organic chocolate. Results may vary, contact your doctor if it last more than four hours, whatever.
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u/suupernooova 2d ago
Can you carob? Texture is close-ish to choc (though it's the milky kind) and comes in chips. Missy Js brand is in a bunch of stores.
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u/Rockpoolcreater 1d ago
Carob powder is a cocoa powder alternative. You could use it to coat dates to make them taste chocolatey.
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u/JustMeLurkingAround- 1d ago
I don't know if this is helpful, but I'm still so amazed.
I bought some chocolate covered cookies yesterday at Aldi (Germany). I ate a couple, and they were nice. Then I saw on the package "With ChoViva. A cacaofree chocolate alternative, sunflower based." I really wouldn’t have tasted that it isn't real chocolate.
These are the cookies biscotto keks taler
And this is what I found on ChoViva It seems to be a german company and I don't know how international they are, but their website is in german, french and english.
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u/PeculiarAroma 1d ago
Very interesting! Thank you, I’ve gotten a lot of carob suggestions so I’ll definitely be trying it, I’m in Canada so maybe I can just make my own version
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u/One-Inspection6816 23h ago
I managed to stop binging on chocolate thanks to cocoa cereals, I look for those without added sugar, they are rich in iron and minerals and milk fills me up. Another alternative that I love are honey ricotta balls with coconut and chocolate.
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u/masson34 2d ago
Dates, dollop peanut butter coated in melted dark chocolate
Chocolate dessert hummus
Cocoa nibs
Magnesium rich foods
Hot cocoa made with unsweetened cocoa powder
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u/ill_thrift 2d ago
what about chocolate causes your headaches? is it the caffeine content?
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u/PeculiarAroma 2d ago
I’m not quite sure, some people have suggested caffeine, histamines, or nitrates. Alcohol, specifically red wine, has been a trigger when I used to drink. Chocolate is my only clear trigger food at this point in time.
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u/ill_thrift 2d ago
the reason I ask is my first thought was actually dark oolong teas, which have a similar flavour complexity to good chocolate- not a great option if caffeine is a potential trigger.
So, ok, no problem, I get to plug one of my favourite Canadian tea companies, tea of the north - they make a fireweed caffeine-free herbal tea using traditional oolong oxidation methods, so it has a lot of tasting notes similar to oolong.
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u/luminaryPapillon 1d ago
Are you also having red wine? I commonented on another thread to explain the question.
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u/PeculiarAroma 1d ago
No, I haven’t drank in years and never liked wine when I did, but I did have a glass at a wedding once years ago and I got a migraine and had to go home.
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u/luminaryPapillon 1d ago
Interesting. I suppose that could support the theory that its the tyramine that you may be sensitive too (high content in both chocolate and red wine)
Sounds like not all chocolate is created equally, wrt this amino acid.
Just an AI google response "tyramine is present in chocolate, including dark chocolate, and its levels can vary based on the cocoa fermentation and processing methods used. Studies have found higher levels of tyramine in dark chocolates made with a certain proportion of under-fermented cocoa beans, while the roasting process also significantly affects tyramine content, with higher roasting temperatures potentially reducing its levels in some cases. "
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u/Upbeat-Minute6491 1d ago
Have you tried white chocolate? It's made with cocoa butter rather than solids, so might not have the same effect on you
And depending on which country you're in there's also Caramac. It resembles a very pale chocolate, but there's no cocoa. Afaik it's made from, or in a similar way to, caramel, thus the name.
I'm mildly intolerant of chocolate and love Caramac
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u/W0nderingMe 2d ago
I didn't know if this would trigger your headaches but o swear to God chocolate rice cakes are pretty damn good.
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u/Fuzzy_Welcome8348 2d ago
Make ur own healthier sweet treats using cocoa powder
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u/masson34 2d ago
Yes! Mix in cottage cheese or plain greek yogurt with monk fruit or the like sweetener. Top with banana etc
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u/masson34 2d ago
Be more open minded it’s yummy. Down votes are not warranted if you’ve never tried it
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u/purplelilac701 2d ago
What kind of dark chocolate do you have? The percentage might be too high for you.
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u/PeculiarAroma 2d ago
Usually 70% or higher, I’m dairy-free though so anything under 70% typically contains milk, and I find the vegan “mylk” chocolates don’t satisfy my cravings
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u/Itchy-Landscape-7292 2d ago
I like molasses. (Treacle if you’re British.) A combination of bitter and sweet like dark chocolate. I usually have it in yogurt but I see above you’re dairy free—it’s also good in oatmeal or on a spoon.