Chocolate is delicious. No one's going to debate that. Candy bars and treats of many varieties are available at virtually every store. There are chocolate clusters, bars, and chews, not to mention the sheer variety of gummy candies. Who can blame you for being unable to resist something you encounter every time you check out at your local grocery store?
For those of you on diets, it can be downright unbearable. But don't panic! There are foods that can alleviate your craving without the guilty pleasure of sugar and saturated fat from candy or chocolates.
Are you ready? Fruit!
They are not only a natural source of sugar and free of a lot of the detrimental things in chocolate and candy, but also a great way to get your vitamin C. Peaches are one of the best options around. Low in calories, and quite filling depending on how big of one you get. They also provide a great dose of potassium. You can also expect a burst of juiciness if you're lucky enough to get a ripe one; they are quite well known for being thirst-quenchers. And the best part is, aside from a good rinsing off, there's no prep time involved.
Pineapples, on the other hand, require some preparation. There's the top to worry about cutting off, the skinning to do, and the coring to worry about. And even after you get done with all of that--there are more downsides. Yes, the pineapple is a very sweet fruit, and yes, it will provide you with a LOT of vitamin C and dietary fiber. Along with that, though, comes a heaping helping of carbohydrates. However, this is only if you intended to eat an entire pineapple, which is unlikely for most people.
Strawberries are probably some of the easiest to get on your own, as they are fairly easy to grow. They're also some of the healthiest! A ripe strawberry will give you a decent amount of vitamin C with a little potassium on the side.
Apples, of course, are much bigger, and while they do come in many varieties, they also tend to overall still be good. Sure, there might be a few carbs to worry about, but the potassium and fiber content will more than make up for it. Plus, they're very versatile! You can make juice or applesauce, or if you're feeling indulgent, even pie!
So the next time you're craving something sweet, pick up a piece of fruit instead of that chocolate bar. The scale, and your stomach will both thank you.