I kept going back and forth about listing calories, carbs and portion size but my point with this post is for you to listen to your body.  If you are craving something at anytime – these are great examples of a handful of sweetness.  Not saying you cannot have more but this is a good start for knowing and finding the right balance.  By adding some almonds it helps cut the sugar rush and keeps your blood sugar a bit more on track, instead of a rapid spike and therefore continue the vicious cycle of “give-me-more-sugar” type of thing, right?

Isn’t dark chocolate the healthiest to pair with nuts? 

Yes, dark chocolate contains many health benefits.  Aiming for a dark chocolate that is at least 70% contains more rich antioxidants and less sugar.  But milk chocolate in the right amount is just fine to consume as a treat (as shown above).  What do you like?

If I have a little chocolate I will keep wanting more and can’t stop.  Isn’t it bad to have something sweet after meals? 

That is why I show this amount.  A handful. A little sweetness to satisfy the sweet craving.  If you are still wanting more, slow down, take a breath, grab a glass of water and mindfully listen to your body.  Rate your hunger level.  Maybe you are still hungry and a piece of fruit or yogurt could be an option.  Just because you are hungry, doesn’t mean you have to eat endless amounts of chocolate.  A little goes a long way and be patient if this eating pattern is new.  It takes time for your body to tune in and listen to those signals again.  Start with this portion size and rethink and drink (water). Hydration can play a tricky role in hunger cues.  Check here for more info about the hunger scale and intuitive eating.