Eating for Two: Part 11 – Chocolate

Chocolate Cravings During Pregnancy: A Modern Take

Pregnancy often comes with intense food cravings, and for many American women, chocolate tops the list. While some pregnancy advice suggests cutting back on chocolate, its popularity during this time is undeniable. Interestingly, this intense craving seems less prevalent in Europe and other parts of the world. What's the reason behind this difference?

Recent studies highlight the potential health benefits of dark chocolate. It's been linked to lower blood pressure, increased antioxidant levels that may protect against heart disease, aging, and certain cancers. Some research even suggests it could help lower "bad" cholesterol, manage weight, and boost mood.

One theory for the differing chocolate desires between continents is that European diets might naturally include more beneficial flavonoids and polyphenols, compounds also found in fruits, vegetables, teas, and even red wine (though wine is off the table during pregnancy!).

Beyond the potential perks, what are the concerns surrounding chocolate consumption during pregnancy?

Caffeine: Excessive caffeine intake isn't ideal for either mother or baby and has been linked to increased risks of miscarriage and preterm labor. Some studies even suggest a potential link to SIDS with high caffeine intake, like four cups of coffee daily. However, moderate caffeine consumption is generally considered safe. The March of Dimes recommends staying below 200 mg of caffeine per day. For context, a cup of coffee can contain around 120 mg, a 12-ounce Diet Pepsi has 36 mg, and a 1.55-ounce Hershey bar contains about 6 mg of caffeine equivalent.

Heartburn: Chocolate contains theobromine, a substance that can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle that helps prevent stomach acid from backing up into the esophagus, which causes heartburn. Since heartburn is common later in pregnancy, some mothers might choose to avoid chocolate to manage this discomfort. Ultimately, it's a personal decision on balancing pleasure and discomfort.

Fetal Growth: A 2003 study involving pregnant mice fed large amounts of chocolate daily (the equivalent of 4.5 Hershey bars) observed that their offspring had shorter leg lengths compared to a control group.

It's worth noting that while chocolate is generally safe for humans, it can be toxic to dogs due to their inability to process theobromine effectively. Cats handle it better but still not as well as humans. The comparison between mice and humans regarding chocolate's effects is less clear, with some anecdotal evidence suggesting chocolate might even be used as mouse poison. However, assuming chocolate is safe for mice, the study implies that even beneficial foods can have negative effects when consumed in excessive amounts. Consuming the mouse-equivalent of 4.5 chocolate bars daily would also mean over 1000 calories from chocolate alone, which isn't conducive to a balanced diet.

Dark chocolate offers more beneficial nutrients but also contains higher concentrations of the compounds that raise concerns. A sensible approach, as practiced by some families, is to keep a large bar of organic dark chocolate on hand and enjoy two to three squares daily. This can satisfy cravings, offer potential health benefits, and maintain a safe and reasonable intake.

Three squares of fine dark chocolate typically amount to less than 18 grams, around 78 calories, providing a delightful treat.

We'll explore chocolate consumption during nursing in a future discussion.