Bernard O'Shea: I devised a diet to stop me eating too much chocolate - and it worked
Bernard O'Shea. Photograph Moya Nolan
Have you ever found yourself locked in a nightly chocolate rendezvous, wondering if there's a way to indulge without overindulging? I embarked on a quirky journey to explore just that.
Believe it or not, science lends a hand to this sweet endeavour. Research published in the Journal of Nutrition unveils the secret life of chocolate, filled with antioxidants and potential health perks. The Mayans saw chocolate as the "food of the gods". In their world, chocolate wasn't just a treat but a divine element woven into their rituals and even their currency. Today, we continue their tradition, not by human sacrifice high in the Yucatán but by savouring three Twirls on the Dublin to Cork train (I hadn't eaten all day, okay).
I'm a chocolate binger. I eat multiple bars in one sitting, mostly at night, and feel physically and emotionally sick after getting my cocoa hit. Binge eating is a multifaceted process involving our brain's reward system, specifically dopamine. Stress and emotions can override fullness signals, making it challenging to control impulses. Over time, these habits can alter brain structure and function, creating a cycle of binge eating that's tough to break. To cut off my nighttime bromine-filled feast at the pass, I devised a "Chocolate Diet.”
The plan? Simple. After every meal, savour a single square of chocolate. Need a pick-me-up during your tea or coffee break? Add another square. The goal? To discover whether this mindful approach to chocolate could transform my relationship with indulgence.
Breakfast felt like a holiday, starting with an espresso and brown bread toast, topped with a square of Dairy Milk chocolate. Who knew a square of chocolate could bring such cheer?
Lunch brought soup and a sandwich, followed by another chocolate square. Satisfaction rated a modest 6 out of 10, and energy levels remained in the status quo.
Before dinner, two cups of tea and two squares of chocolate set the stage. A seemingly counterintuitive approach had me rethinking my snack-time habits.
As I reflected on day one, one square of chocolate was left, proof of my newfound self-control.
Day two revealed something extraordinary. I no longer craved chocolate, especially at night. Instead, I yearned for savoury delights. I dreamed about eating a bag of Tayto's while flying above my old school (you know how dreams go).
By day three, I was cheekily having a cup of tea without the chocolate square. My cravings shifted, leaning toward savoury treats instead of sweets.
Energy levels remained steady, but my sense of control over my food choices blossomed. Leaving chips on my plate during a burger outing was a victory worth savouring. Even my eldest girl was astonished: "Dad, you're not eating ALL your chips?"
My taste buds underwent a revival. I began savouring my tea, appreciating its flavours instead of hastily gulping it down with chocolate or biscuits.
Remarkably, there was no significant weight change, no magical transformation of skin and hair. Instead, I was reprogramming my brain's perception of snacks. I started thinking again about that well-worn gastric funkiller of "portion sizes."
By the final day, I neither craved nor despised chocolate. It was like I'd trained myself to view all snacks as small, enjoyable indulgences.
My most significant challenge? The mental aspect of portion control. Realising that I was still caught in the mindset of "you can have your treat after dinner" was eye-opening.
The experiment was not about miraculous health transformations but learning to savour small pleasures. I also spread my meals more evenly by splitting a chocolate bar into six pieces, curbing nighttime cravings.
Ultimately, the Chocolate Diet wasn't about transforming into a superhuman or bidding farewell to chocolate forever.
It was proving that even the sweetest indulgence can be savoured with balance.
So, if you ever find yourself pondering the mysteries of your cravings, remember the answer might be a square away. Now, all I have to do is try the same diet for Taytos!
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