I Love Chocolate!

M & Ms, chocolate pudding, Hershey Almond Bars, Fudge Pudding Pops these are some of the sweets I love and eat on many, many occasions. I can inhale a box of eight Low Fat Fudgsicle in one sitting, convincing myself since it's low fat it won't hurt.

"For many years people have claimed to be addicted to chocolate and now there is new scientific evidence that reveals some addictive qualities in the tasty treat. The same alkaloid compounds found in alcohol are also present in chocolate, researchers say."

This could also explain why many recovering alcoholics use chocolate to curb their craving for alcohol, especially in early sobriety. The book Alcoholic Anonymous (The Big Book) recommend using chocolate to satisfy cravings.

Chocolate is on the top of the list to be craved and women are the ones most likely to crave it.

According to Webmd.com, "Chocolate is the perfect mix of sugar and fat to turn on almost every appetite-triggering nerve chemical in the brain. The sugar in chocolate sparks the release of a nerve chemical called serotonin and might lower another nerve chemical called NPY; the end result is a sense of well-being. The sweet taste also releases endorphins in the brain, giving us an immediate euphoric rush. The fat in chocolate enhances flavor and aroma and satisfies another nerve chemical called galanin, thus curbing our cravings for fat."

"That's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to nerve tingling chemicals chocolate contains the theobromine and caffeine, compounds that provide a mental boost, and phenylethylamine, or PEA, which stimulates the nervous system, increase blood pressure and heart rate, and is suspected to produce similar feelings experienced when a person is "in love." Even the aroma of chocolate could affect brain chemistry. Finally chocolate contains a substance called anadamide that mimics the effects of marijuana and boosts the pleasure you get when you eat chocolate."

"There is no real proof about the love factor, but there is a fact that is true....people really do crave chocolate."

As a child I was allergic to chocolate, how I am so happy I outgrew that allergic reaction that would cause me to break out and itch all over.

M & M's slogan is: "There is an M & M in everyone," there are hundreds in me.