It has been shown that chocolate brownie’s are one of the top ‘go to’ indulgences related to emotional eating. So why is this?

Yes the decadent, rich chocolatey flavour and balance of the hard outer texture and moist centre play a role, however there is more to the craving than this.

Chocolate is often craved due to low blood sugar levels as pure cocao is low on the GI scale, helping to regulate levels. This explains why you crave chocolate when we are irritable after missing a meal or are not consuming well balanced meals.

Chocolate is also considered a comfort food due to increased levels of serotonin being realised into the brain. Serotonin is that feel good chemical allowing a person to temporarily feel uplifted.

When the body is lacking magnesium we usually crave chocolate due to it’s high trace mineral levels. So ladies when it’s that time of the month this is why chocolate can’t escape your mind.

Now add sugar and carbs as common comfort cravings and the chocolate brownie is the perfect savour to your day it may seem. Unfortunately the common brownie recipe is made up of simple carbohydrates, large amounts of refined sugars and processed coco (nutritionally depleted) leaving us in an unbalanced, foggy, more emotional state and so the cycle continues.

These chocolate brownies are gluten, grain, sugar, dairy, nut free. Low GI, high protein, vegan, low carb, and packed with essential fatty acids and beneficial nutrients for our over all health and emotional wellbeing. They really do sound to good to be true don’t they!!

 

Recipe:

– 3 heaped tbs cocao powder

– 2 cups organic black beans (I used dried beans & soaked and cooked them however canned beans will do the trick just make sure you rinse & drain them well)

– 3/4 cup ground flaxseed

– 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

– 1/2 cup pure maple syrup

– 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

– 2 pinches celtic salt

– 1/2 tsp baking powder

– 1/2 cup cocao nibs

 

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius.

Grease a slice tin with a small amount of coconut oil.

In a blender thoroughly combine all the ingredients except the cocoa nibs. Once you have achieved a smooth consistency  stir through the nibs.

Spoon the mixture into the tray so the slice is about 1.5-2 cm thick. Add some extra cocao nibs on top and place in the oven.

Bake for about 15 minutes or until slice is set on top. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Enjoy with out a thought of guilt!!

 

Resources:

Fitday- Why do women crave chocolate?