Combine Dark Chocolate With Fruit and Nuts For a Healthier Treat

What is it about chocolate that make it so irresistible? We eat for any reason; as a treat to reward ourselves, to lift us when we are down or in our favourite desserts. It ticks all the boxes, but we also know that we shouldn't eat the amount that we do, unless it was healthy chocolate of course.

And the good new is that there is a healthy chocolate out there. There are many good things in chocolate such as vitamins and minerals, so what is it that makes it generally so unhealthy?

It's all the stuff that we put into chocolate that makes it fattening and unhealthy. These are things such as milk solids, sugar and cocoa butter. These help to make milk chocolate taste so good, but are really bad for us. A dark chocolate and especially a low sugar bitter variety doesn't have all these additives.

Chocolate isn't actually food as far as our bodies are concerned, they will merely store away all the bad stuff and ignore the good bits. This makes our guilty treat even worse for us than we thought!

The trick is to eat chocolate with other foods as well, nuts and fruits are perfect. Eating them together ensures that your body treats the chocolate as food and you get all the goodness from it.

The ideal accompaniment to chocolate is fruit rich in vitamin C, as it works to form a nutritional balance to make sure that the iron from the chocolate gets absorbed and not dispelled. What you end up with is probably the tastiest multi-vitamin supplement you'll ever have!

I used to work as a chocolatier, so you can imagine how much chocolate I used to eat! As I ate dark chocolate complimented with strawberries, blueberries, nuts etc I never put any weight on. A blood test also proved that I had the optimum level of minerals and vitamins in my system.

There is now no excuse for filling up on cheap and nasty milk chocolate which will just add pounds. A healthier bar of dark chocolate which has fruit and nuts in it will do the same job but without any weight gain.

Like everything else, if you eat too much chocolate it becomes unhealthy, so watch your consumption.

Michael knows a good deal about chocolate, and even more about the many orange rug buying possibilities on the market. See for yourself at http://orangerug.org.

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Chocolate Cravings and the World Cup

How to stop Chocolate Cravings during the World Cup ( or at any other time!)

1. Being prepared prevents chocolate cravings during the World Cup ( or at any other time!)

Before a match check how you are feeling about it and also what you have to eat in the house. I'm serious. Whatever happens with your team, or the team you have adopted, in a match, you might celebrate or commiserate with chocolate so you need to be prepared do you not? So, I suggest you make a list of at least three things that you could do instead; things that will really light you up.

For example: it could be any of the following: time with your partner, time with your family, time shopping, whatever it is that will light you up, pick you up and make you feel good basically.

2. Getting in touch with your inner cravings.

Designate a special notebook or journal and look a little deeper into why you might be craving chocolate so much. For example, it is not just that your team are out of the World Cup, it is something deeper. So, I invite you to imagine you are with your best friend, having a chat with them, about how you are really feeling about something and all that 'dirt' comes up, the stuff you only admit to them as you really trust them with your life so write that down for yourself.

As you write you will gain clarity on your true inner-reasons why you crave chocolate so much which could be anything from having low self-esteem, to fearing having your heart broken, be it for the first time, or again to lack of intimacy or sexual expression, to sheer overwhelm in your life, to finding it hard to express yourself confidently, to huge amounts of stress, to loneliness, to lack of life direction or purpose, to even feeling lovable. Whatever it is there is no right or wrong with what you write down but write you must for you and only you to get really in touch with your deep, inner cravings.

3. How would you feel if you won your own 'World Cup,' when you have stopped your chocolate cravings?

Get your journal out again and write down the following question and answer it in as much detail as you can as it is vitally important to have a vision of where you desire to go, so that you will be much more likely to keep going when it gets rather tough, which it tends to do as you let go of what no longer serves you.

When you have a deeper understanding about why you crave chocolate so much, and you know what you are truly desiring, then your desires stand a much bigger chance of manifesting.

For example: when you have stopped your chocolate cravings will you feel happier, more emotionally balanced and centred? Would you be more focused on feeling good about yourself and your life, and planning the life of your dreams.

Would you be feeling so much more at ease with yourself, therefore more fun to be around, more open-hearted, and more able to deal with issues that arise in your life instead of ducking out and procrastinating with oodles of chocolate?

Whatever your feelings are about winning your own 'World Cup,' when you have stopped your chocolate cravings, look to draw upon them, and leverage them as often as possible to help you to achieve you goal, therefore place them in the prominent position where you might see your vision often be it on a family notice board, in your diary, in your purse or by your bedside.

For free mini Chocolate Rehab from Carrie Eddins just go to http://www.chocolaterehab.com and sign up!

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Antioxidants in Dark Chocolate

So why are the antioxidants in dark chocolate so good for you? Firstly they have a good quantity of antioxidants on the same level as blueberries or red wine which are often being promoted as being good for us. In fact two tablespoons of natural cocoa contain the same amount of antioxidants as four cups of green tea, 1 cup of blueberries and one and a half glasses of red wine.

The antioxidants have been found to have many health benefits which is why they are something that is often talked about at the moment. Many people are consuming foods with high levels of antioxidants in order to improve their health and many of the talked about super foods have high concentrations of them. The health benefits of antioxidants are vast including helping to reduce the risk of many diseases and illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. They have also been found to help heart health by enhancing blood flow, improving cholesterol levels and sometimes reducing blood pressure.

Antioxidants protect the cells in the body from free radicals which are unstable oxygen molecules that can change the structure in cells. Our body does produce its own antioxidants to help to neutralise these free radicals before they do any damage. This damage is thought to cause diseases such as cancer and heart disease. These free radicals do occur naturally in the body but as we get older our body produces less antioxidants itself to fight them off and so getting extra from the diet can be very beneficial especially as we age.

As chocolate contains higher concentrations of antioxidants than other foods then it is recognised as a good source and that is why there is so much encouragement to eat antioxidants in dark chocolate rather than from other sources.

Want to find out more, about how healthy dark chocolate can not only make you healthy, but can help you make a secondary income stream from home. Click on Healthy Chocolate Business to learn more.

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Dark Chocolate Health Benefits Are Many

When people started saying the chocolate was healthy I did not think that it was true. I merely thought that it was people using it as an excuse to eat something which tasted good that was thought of as being unhealthy and had no idea about the dark chocolate health benefits. People often are looking for a good excuse to eat something that they like but have been told is not good for them. However, it seems that there are some health benefits to eating dark chocolate. It contains similar health benefits as dark vegetables because it contains flavonoids which act as antioxidants in the body. The flavonoids also help to decrease blood pressure because they produce nitric oxide which helps to balance some of the hormones in the body responsible for blood pressure.

There has also been evidence to show that it can reduce bad cholesterol levels due to it containing one third oleic acid which is a healthy fat found in olive oil. There are also benefits to mental health with the endorphins and serotonin that is produced when it is eaten. These both give feelings of happiness which is great for anyone that tends to get depressed or just for overall well being.

They could reduce stress which can be the cause of some nasty illnesses and lowers the immune system. Although chocolate should not be used as a replacement for advice from a doctor or any sort of medication, there is evidence to show that it does have some health benefits.

It is important to make sure that it is dark chocolate that is consumed as not in massive amounts as it is still calorifically high and will therefore increase weight if eaten in excess. Also make sure that it is eaten as part of a healthy balanced diet in order to see the maximum dark chocolate health benefits.

Want to find out how healthy dark chocolate can not only make you healthy, but can help you have a secondary income stream from home. Click on Healthy Chocolate Business to learn more.

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The Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate - It Removes Stress

We all know that stress can have terribly destructive effects on both our physical and emotional health. Sometimes prolonged stress can be responsible for some pretty serious health problems as well.

A new study by scientists at the Nestle Research Center in Lausanne Switzerland has found more about the health benefits of dark chocolate and that enjoying this type of chocolate might not just be a tasty indulgence, but it also appears to lower levels of stress hormones in those who are feeling stressed out.

Add this to the growing number of potential benefits to your heart that come from dark chocolate and all those good-for-you flavonoids inside that tasty package, and you'll be choosing this delicious confectionary over any other kind.

Enjoying one dark chocolate candy bar daily for two weeks was found in this latest study to actually reduce levels of cortisol as well as the "fight or flight" hormones known as catecholamines in highly stressed people.

So, if you're dealing with constant stress, a small amount of 70% cocoa chocolate or higher each day might be just the thing to help you cope.

In the study, the team examined the effects on 30 healthy adults of eating 1.4 ounces (40 grams, the size of an average candy bar) of rich and yummy dark chocolate every day for a two-week period on measures of stress.

Half the candy bar was eaten mid-morning, the other half mid-afternoon. The anxiety levels of the subjects were determined at the start of the study using validated psychological questionnaires, allowing the team to classify subjects as low or high anxiety.

Body fluids (blood and urine) were also collected and analyzed at the beginning and end of the research period.

The result was that those with lots of anxiety who ate dark chocolate daily cut stress hormone levels. It also seems to have a beneficial effect on the metabolism and microbial action of the digestive system.

"Consuming dark chocolate daily can positively impact the metabolism of people that report having high-stress levels," explains Sunil Kochhar, a Nestle researcher leading the study. "These results strongly support our ongoing metabonomics research efforts to ascertain the impact of certain foods on human metabolism through the adaptation of gut microbial activities."

The study appears in the Journal of Proteome Research and was conducted by a team of experts at the Nestle Research Center located in Lausanne, Switzerland.

It makes sense that chocolate, which comes from plants, should have some of the same natural, good-for-you substances found in dark veggies.

Flavonoids in this kind of chocolate are nearly 8 times what you find in strawberries, and act as antioxidants that protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.

They also help relax blood pressure by producing nitric oxide, as well as balancing some hormones in the body.

And while chocolate of any kind does contain fats, only 1/3 of the fat in dark chocolate is bad for you. That doesn't mean indulge all you like... keep your dark chocolate intake to no more than 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces) a day to get the benefits without suffering because of the added calories.

Remember too, that the calories you take in from chocolate must be balanced to get the best health benefits of dark chocolate, by lessening the amount you take in someplace else so you won't be packing on the pounds while you're coping with an especially stressful time.

FREE Bonus Secret Health Reports - For a limited time you can grab 5 FREE essential health reports from Daily Health Bulletin and click the link now to discover other benefits of dark chocolate.

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Why Chocolate for Valentine's Day?

Valentine’s Day is many things to different people- a chance to start new relationships, rekindle old ones, or remind that special someone how wonderful they really are. Others feel it is just another “Hallmark” holiday where they are expected to do something for unknown reasons. Regardless of your hopes, expectations, or reservations about Valentine’s Day, chocolate has long been a favorite gift for lovers.

Since the days of the Aztecs chocolate has been used as a gift. Today a box of luxurious quality chocolate says a thousand “thank you’s”, “good luck”, or “I love you”. Chocolate can be given as a way of saying “congratulations”, “I am sorry” or “get well soon”. On Valentine’s Day chocolate clearly says “I LOVE YOU!” Chocolate is more than food, it not only fills your belly but also makes you feel soooo good. Elaine Sherman wrote “Chocolate is heavenly, mellow, sensual, deep, dark, sumptuous, gratifying, potent, dense, creamy, seductive, suggestive, rich, excessive, silky, smooth, luxurious, celestial. Chocolate is downfall, happiness, pleasure, love, ecstasy, fantasy … chocolate makes us wicked, guilty, sinful, healthy, chic, happy.” What more could you want to say to your lover on Valentines Day? Even the scientific name for the tree from which chocolate is derived, Theobroma cacao, translated from Greek, means “food of the gods”.

Why does chocolate evoke so many feelings and emotions for us? Chocolate has long been associated with passion, romance and love. This association may go all the way back to the Aztecs. They believed chocolate was a source of spiritual wisdom, incredible energy and elevated sexual power. Chocolate was widely used as a nuptial aid and was widely served at wedding ceremonies. The Aztecs did not know chocolate as we do today; they consumed the cocoa as a drink. Reports indicate that the Emperor Montezuma consumed large quantities of the drink every day and always fortified himself with a cup before entertaining his harem. The explorer Cortes reported to Carlos I of Spain that chocolate is “… the divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink enables a man to walk for a whole day without food.” From the earliest times, chocolate was considered a substance of power and a source of vitality.

Chocolate has been a subject of study since the first shipment from Veracruz arrived in Spain in 1585. But modern science has made some interesting findings that may help explain our lust for quality chocolate. Chocolate contains organic substances known as alkaloids. The most important of these substances is theobromine, which works as a stimulant to the kidneys. Stimulants in chocolate also affect the central nervous system, with effects similar to caffeine, which is also present in chocolate. A chocolate bar may contain as much as 200 mg of theobromine but only about 25 mg of caffeine. Another important substance found in chocolate is phenylethylamine, which is part of a group of chemicals known as endorphins. Endorphins have an effect similar to amphetamine and are found naturally in the human body. When endorphins are released into the bloodstream, the mood is lifted and feelings of positive energy are reached. The sensation known as “runners high” is caused by endorphins released during exercise. Phenylethylamine levels in the brain have also been linked to “falling in love”. One more chemical found in chocolate is seratonin. Seratonin is known for its calming properties. The presence of these chemicals may explain the multitude of feelings chocolate evokes.

Debra Waterhouse, author of Why Women Need Chocolate, conducted a survey and found: 97% of women reported cravings, 68% of which are for chocolate, 50% would choose chocolate over sex, and 22% were more likely than men to choose chocolate as a mood elevator. These findings could easily be interpreted as a result of how chocolate makes us feel. I don’t know why more women choose chocolate than men, for I am a man and I love chocolate.

Critics would say that the benefits of eating chocolate are small when compared to the sugar and fat contained in a chocolate bar. The best chocolate, dark chocolate with high cacao butter content has no added fat, as well as a high percentage of cacao solids and correspondingly less sugar. Although chocolate will never be considered a health food based on its nutritional value, it is still good for you! Good for your heart and soul-anything that helps relieve stress and makes you feel so good must be.

Receiving a nicely wrapped box of chocolates causes a sense of anticipation. The pleasure of unwrapping the box, the sensual smell, lifting the soft seductive papers, the look of the smooth dark chocolates. When it finally passes your lips and starts to instantly melt filling your mouth with exquisite pleasure. The taste and smell flood your senses with overwhelming ecstasy. Eating it slowly, taking time to enjoy and savor every bit. What better way to start off an evening of love?

David Eisen is owner of Euphoric Chocolate, come visit us at [http://www.euphoricchocolate.com] Our large variety of novelty chocolates, chocolate truffles, and elegant gift boxes are the perfect touch to add to any occasion. We can help you creat the perfict wedding favor, bridal shower favor or baby shower favor for your special event.

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Antioxidants Found in Chocolate

For the past decades, many proven scientific studies have shown that chocolate antioxidants are beneficial to our health and body. It has been known for a fact that the antioxidants present in chocolates, particularly dark chocolates, are potent source of antioxidants that destroys free radicals in our system. Chocolate antioxidants are primarily responsible for fighting these highly unstable and destructive molecules thereby maintaining a balance in our system to prevent occurrence of deadly diseases such as cancer, heart disease and hypertension, to name a few. Generally, chocolate antioxidants are rich in flavorous that arrest oxidation processes in our system and therefore preventing damage in our body.

Another classic benefit that these antioxidants bring in our health is that it effectively strengthens our immune system thus enabling our body to defend itself from potentially harmful viral and bacterial infections. Our immune system is our defence system tasked to eliminate destructive molecules and other abnormalities found in our body to keep us to function normally everyday. It is also an established fact that chocolate antioxidants and any other form of antioxidants found in fruits, green tea and red wines for instance, slows down the aging process. Antioxidant is key to longevity as it allows you to stay longer and younger in the pink of health.

A study conducted by the National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Rome suggests a proper way of taking in chocolate antioxidants in order to maximize the absorption of antioxidants in our body. The result of the study indicates that eating chocolates, especially dark chocolates, should be eaten not in conjunction with any type of milk or its derivatives as the milk interferes with the body's absorption of chocolate antioxidants. The subjects who ate pure dark chocolates have shown substantial drop in their blood pressure compared to those who mixed it with milk. Thus, if you are a chocolate lover it is time to change gear and switch to pure dark chocolate for optimum acquisition of chocolate antioxidants.

The best source of chocolate antioxidants comes from cocoa powder as it contains the highest amount of antioxidant capacity. The basic is rule is that the darker the chocolate, the more potent source of chocolate antioxidants it is. The suggested daily intake of dark chocolate based on the study made is 3.5 ounces to get the optimum chocolate antioxidants. Milk chocolates in particular have the least antioxidant properties and this claim was backed by the study mentioned in the preceding paragraph. Further, dark chocolates are known for having less sugar content and good source of cholesterol compared to milk chocolates. For the more health conscious individuals they always ensure that they have the regular source of rich antioxidant supplements. We should also be warned from eating excessive chocolates because they are rich in calories which may lead to obesity if consumption with gusto is not properly observed. To successfully attain a healthy, disease free body, the secret, however, is moderation and balance our diet by eating nutrition-rich vegetables, cereals and fruits.

John Ulonka can often be found sipping a hot cup of espresso at the local beanery. Besides savoring the latest blends, John has a site with reviews of straight blade razor, as well as a review of vintage straight razors.

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What Does Ecommerce Really Mean and How Does It Work

Ecommerce or electronic commerce has enabled financial transactions on the internet that provide a variety of services which include sales, insurance, marketing, online advertisements and the like. With the current estimated value of ecommerce being $591 billion, there are various large-scale and small-scale companies that want a share of these financial transactions to promote their business. However, there have been innovations in the area of electronic commerce as home-based businesses have greatly profited form online marketing. Ecommerce continues to grow as a major economic sector.

What is E-commerce?

In general terms e-commerce is the market place of the Internet where buying, selling and distributing of goods and services takes place through an electronic medium. It is a virtual environment where the buyers and the sellers decide upon financial services. Therefore, any economic transaction that is enabled over an electronic medium i.e. Internet it is termed as E-commerce.

Since the advent of the Internet, Ecommerce has grown steadily enabling optimization of businesses. The following figures elaborate the growth of Ecommerce:-

• Online population in the U.S. has increased by 50% from 141.5 million in 2001 to 210.8 million in 2006.

• Online U.S. retail sales have grown from $47.8 billion which was estimated in 2001 to $130.8 billion in 2006.

• The total number of small companies in the U.S. is 2.3million out of which only 60% of them are based on the Internet. 16% of these companies specialize in retail trade.

• The annual expenditure of the buyers has increased from $457 which was in 2001 to $784 in 2006.

However, there are various large and small companies that offer products and services in order to meet the overall customer requirements. Companies such as Ebay, Amazon, and CoinStar Inc are just some of the top 50 online retailing sites. These companies are able to sell their goods and services to consumers through credit card transactions online. This enables a real time commercial transaction as these transactions are done with a click of a mouse. At these speeds of conducting business, online retail companies have managed to optimize their commercial transactions. By selling online these companies have profited greatly which has offered tremendous growth potential.

What is the scope of small companies in E-commerce?

E-commerce has provided small companies especially self-employed businesses to gain the advantage of marketing which they can carry out from their offices in order to spread the awareness of the products and services.

Unlike large companies, small companies cannot afford expensive advertisements. In order to increase the awareness of the products and services, online marketing provides them a solution to enable potential consumers’ access to their goods and services. In fact there are only 2.3 million small companies in U.S. out of which 60% are providing retail services on the Internet. These small scale companies have enabled to expand their base by having virtual customers on the internet that increase their profits.

The advantages that small-scale companies can gain from Ecommerce can be seen as follows:

• Larger pool of customers: Small companies are able to gain greater access to customers through emails and advertisements.

• Increased marketing: Through web commerce small companies are able to market their products and services through online advertisements and able to target the potential customers through their profiles.

• Optimization of business: Small businesses don’t have the expertise to research and conduct market analysis. By linking their websites with other similar websites in their category they can find potential customers. Internet technology enables small businesses to keep a track of the customers that are visiting their website.

• Increase in profits: Internet commerce has increased market access and optimized businesses, small companies can earn better profits thus allowing them a better growth potential.

With over 3 billion customers having Internet access it becomes convenient for the companies to reach them through the Internet and provide information about their products and services in an interactive way. In fact, with the introduction of shopping cart users can select various books, furniture, clothing and technology gizmos. As an audience the virtual customer has the best benefit of knowledge as information flows to them in terms of the latest news regarding plane fares, cinema tickets, holiday tours and other news that will enable them to exercise their choice as a customer.

Therefore Ecommerce continues to grow as a lucrative option for many businesses as it bridges the gap between the seller and the buyer and provides an opportunity to gain the advantages of globalization.

Nick Hurd is the CEO of 1CartPlus a hosted shopping cart that is easy to set up for beginners and provides all the tools that a professional online marketer needs to compete effectively in todays competitive online world. Fulfill all your ecommerce needs at 1cartplus.com [http://www.1cartplus.com/Ecommerce] copyright 2007 1cartplus.com

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How to Make Diabetic-Friendly Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles

Being diabetic doesn't mean we have to give up candy while everyone else enjoys it this holiday season. We diabetics just have to be more particular when choosing our special candy treats. Today's new article is a recipe for Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles suitable for diabetics. Yummy! According to my calculations, 4 of these little treats contain 220 calories and a third as much protein as carbs--a good combination for us diabetics.

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

1/2 cup reduced-fat chunky peanut butter
3 tbsps Splenda granular
1 cup rice crisp cereal
1/4 cup sugar-free chocolate chips
3 tbsps unsweetened baking cocoa powder

In a small microwavable bowl, microwave the peanut butter for 10 seconds on high. Add the Splenda and using a wooden spoon mix together until smooth. Stir in the cereal and mix very well to coat all the cereal. Using your hands, which you have sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, shape the mixture into 1-inch firm balls. Place the balls on a waxed paper lined tray and put in freezer for at least 15 minutes but up to 1 hour.

When ready to remove candy balls from the freezer, spread the cocoa powder on a plate and roll the balls in the cocoa then place them back on the wax paper lined tray; set aside.

Place the chocolate chips in a small resealable freezer plastic bag. Microwave on high for 10 to 15 seconds. Knead the bag to smooth the chocolate. Return to the microwave for another 10 seconds, if necessary, until the mixture kneads totally smooth and melted.

Smooth the melted chocolate away from one of the bottom corners of the bag and snip about an eighth of an inch from that corner. Drizzle the chocolate over the candy balls. Let the chocolate set up firm before serving.

Note: May be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Yield: 20 truffles

Enjoy!

For more of Linda's recipes and diabetic information go to http://diabeticenjoyingfood.squarespace.com For other "sweets" recipes visit her blog at http://ladybugssweettreats.blogspot.com.

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Industry Pushes Chocolate Milk in Schools

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The creators of the ''Got Milk?'' campaign are getting ready to make a big push to keep chocolate milk on kids' minds and on school lunch menus, a plan that has some educators and obesity activists none too pleased.

The new ad campaign from the dairy industry, set to launch Monday, emphasizes that sugary flavorings are ways to get kids to drink milk. Without them, some youngsters won't drink regular milk and won't get its nutrients, the ads say.

The ''Raise your hand for chocolate milk'' campaign starts Monday with an ad in USA Today featuring chocolatey brown colors and the launch of a Web site that asks people to sign a petition declaring their support for chocolate milk in school.

But some educators and obesity experts say kids get enough calcium -- essential for bone growth -- and will drink white milk if it's the only milk offered. They say kids get too much sugar, which is heightening America's obesity problem, and schools shouldn't serve chocolate milk at all.

The idea behind the campaign is to draw a distinction between chocolate milk and the soda and candy that have come under attack in schools, said Vivien Godfrey, CEO of the Milk Processor Education Program, the industry marketing group that developed the campaign with the National Dairy Council. Godfrey said the effort will cost between $500,000 and $1 million.

She said most kids choose chocolate milk, but without it they drink juice, soda or water, which don't have the same nutrients. The facts -- that chocolate milk does have nutrients -- are getting lost in the debate over school lunches, she said.

''If there's even a chance chocolate milk might get taken out of schools, that really can do more harm than good,'' she said.

It's not clear how many schools have chocolate milk or are pulling it. But parents and school districts are becoming increasingly concerned and asking for more information, said Margie Saidel, a vice president with Chartwells School Dining Services, which manages food programs in 600 districts and supports chocolate milk.

But experts like Marlene Schwartz, deputy directory of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University, want chocolate milk tossed. She said kids have too much sugar already and chocolate milk has no place in schools.

Dairy products are a common source of added sugar in children's diets, so that's why parents and educators consider removing them, she said. But the research does not point to any calcium shortages when chocolate milk is removed in schools.

''I don't believe children are going to go on a thirst strike and refuse to drink anything,'' she said.

Kids happily drink white milk -- now the only offering at the Boulder Valley School District in Boulder, Colo., said Ann Cooper, the school's director of nutrition services, who calls herself the ''renegade lunch lady'' for her efforts to promote more nutrition in school lunches.

She estimates that the extra calories from chocolate milk -- as much as 40 or 60 calories on top of a typical 110 calorie 8-ounce serving of white milk -- could add up to 5 pounds of weight gain over the 180-day school year. That's why the district no longer offers chocolate milk.

Chocolate milk does have its defenders, even among nutritionists.

''It's better to get the milk in with a little bit of sugary flavoring than have them pick almost any alternative,'' said Connie Weaver, head of the department of Food and Nutrition at Purdue University and a spokeswoman for the American Society for Nutrition. She has received research funding over the years from the dairy industry, but not on chocolate milk, she said.

A student petition got a Barrington, Ill., distrcit to compromise on its chocolate milk ban.

A soon-to-be fifth-grader, 10-year-old Haley Morris drafted her own petition in support of flavored milk and got about 70 signatures.

Superintendent Tom Leonard decided on a compromise: ''Flavored milk Fridays'' where the district offers chocolate or strawberry milk one day a week. The district is testing the program through January to see if kids drink more milk the days flavors are offered.

''All of my friends and I, we just wanted chocolate milk back to drink because we like chocolate milk better than white,'' Morris said. and this information from here

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