For many of my clients, giving up chocolate when they embark on the Endometriosis Diet is one of the hardest things to do.

And I get it! I do like a piece or a hot chocolate drink when it’s cold. Sometimes there’s just nothing like it.

And we’ve all heard it: it is good for you because it contains antioxidants!

So why then do I tell my clients to stay off the chocolate?

The most important reason has actually nothing to do with the cacao component. You see, even the darkest chocolate contains a shocking amount of sugar! One small serve of 80% dark chocolate contains 2 teaspoons. And a serve of milk chocolate contains a whopping 6 teaspoons of sugar. It’s the sugar that is a serious problem when you have chronic inflammation as it is a powerful inflammatory. And let’s be honest, how many of us can restrain ourselves to one little 2-square serve?

So what about these anti-oxidants? Well, the milk version doesn’t really contain any as there is very little cacao in it, only about 26%. The anti-oxidants are no match for the brute force of all the sugar you’re eating with it.

Dark chocolate fares a little better and contains around 40-50% cacao, but the sugar still outnumbers the healthy antioxidants.

What is also a worry is that there are additives – flavours and emulsifiers – in the chocolate bars you buy. These chemicals are known to produce inflammation for all of us.

And then there is the problem of the dairy as an ingredient: when you have leaky gut, the dairy protein will cause you all sorts of problems.

But what to do when you really crave some?

Raw cacao would make a good option, organic if possible. Most supermarkets, and definitely the health food stores, sell good quality raw cacao. It is just powdered roasted cacao beans, no sugar added. I use it to make a chocolate drink - just add your favourite non-dairy, non-soy milk. You can also use it in baking and there are even recipes for making your own chocolates. Initially you’ll probably want to add a little bit of a sweetener, such as coconut sugar.

Give it a go, and let me know what you think .