IT'S no secret that Britain is a nation of chocoholics, with eight million of us eating the sweet stuff daily.
But there’s even more reason to celebrate because if you’re aiming to lose weight, you don’t need to miss out.
Instead, it’s about choosing the right choc to help you cut calories.
And you can even get a health boost along the way, according to nutritionist Sophie Trotman.
Here are the bars she’d recommend buying if you’re trying to shed a few pounds – and the ones to sidestep.
But as a general rule, the healthiest options are lower in sugar and contain less ultra-processed ingredients like flavourings and preservatives.
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The 6 healthiest chocolate bars
1. Green & Black’s Organic Dark Chocolate 85%
This bar is high in cocoa content, which means it’s lower in sugar and contains more antioxidants, Sophie said.
"Dark chocolate can be more satisfying, helping to reduce the chance of overeating," she added.
"Being organic, it’s free from many additives and preservatives."
Bag this bar, which is 109 calories per 18g serving, at Sainsburys for £2.45.
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2. Lindt Excellence Dark Chocolate 90% Cocoa
"Lindt’s high cocoa percentage ensures a lower sugar and calorie content than compared to milk chocolate," Sophie said.
Thanks to the rich flavour, you’ll satisfy your cravings with a small portion too.
Two squares comes in just over 100 calories.
Stock up with this one at Tesco for £2.45.
3. Moser Roth 85% Cocoa Chocolate Bars
For a more affordable option, Sophie recommends this Aldi chocolate.
It comes in five individual 152-calorie bars that "make it easier to moderate intake".
Get yours from Aldi for £1.39.
4. Montezuma’s Absolute Black
Sophie said: "With 100% cocoa, this chocolate has no added sugar making it a top choice for weight loss."
Again, its intense flavour can curb sweet cravings, so it’s likely you’ll be satisfied after a small piece and won’t be tempted to gobble up a whole bar.
The nutritionist noted that "while it may take some getting used to, its nutritional profile is top-notch for chocolate lovers".
You can get this bar from Waitrose for £3.
5. Divine 70% Dark Chocolate
If you’re not used to the taste of dark chocolate, this is the perfect bar to ease you in.
"Divine offers a slightly sweeter dark chocolate but still maintains a good cocoa percentage," Sophie said.
A 90g bar will cost you £2.40 at Ocado.
6. Ombar 90% Cacao Organic Vegan Fair Trade Dark Chocolate
According to Sophie, this chocolate bar stands out for its high cocoa, low sugar content – at 3.6g of the sweet stuff per bar.
Plus, it’s organic and vegan – win win!
You can shop this one at Ocado for £2.10.
The unhealthiest chocolate bars
These bars – although popular and delicious – could stop your weight loss progress dead in its tracks, Sophie warned.
Here are the bars the nutritionist would steer clear of if you’re trying to shift a few pounds.
1. Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate
It may be the UK’s favourite chocolate bar, but it’s also the unhealthiest and doesn’t support weight loss goals, Sophie said.
"Being heavily processed, this bar contains added preservatives and flavourings which also help to make it hyper-palatable and very moreish," she added.
As well as milk and cocoa butter, the Cadbury Dairy Milk ingredients list includes vegetable fats, emulsifiers and flavourings.
It also contains 240 calories, 25g of sugar and 14g of fat per 45g bar.
2. Mars Chocolate Bar
"Mars Bars combine sugar, fat and nougat, increasing the calorie content," Sophie said.
It’s easy to indulge on Mars Bars and still be hungry unlike dark chocolate, she noted.
Plus, the high sugar content can lead to blood sugar spikes which could cause sugar cravings later in the day.
There is 31g of sugar in a single 51g bar, as well as 8.1g of fat and 225 calories.
3. Nestle Aero Milk Chocolate Bar
While its bubbly texture might seem light, one 36g bar contains 20.7g of sugar which is roughly two thirds of what the average adult should eat in a day.
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"It lacks the benefits of high cocoa dark chocolate and can be easily over-consumed," Sophie warned.
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