Does anyone else feel a "need" for chocolate?
I have this about once per week. When I do eat the chocolate I feel so much better. I only eat like 1 candy bar or a scoop of ice cream. And, I do not notice any increased anxiety.
I have heard that chocolate releases endorphins-anyone else?
Micki

I like chocolate a lot. I don't feel a need for it, but I do like to eat it. I don't know how correct this is, but I eat it once in a while - moderation is the key.

Hi Micki, Would you believe that I find chocolate helps me, I know this sounds weird but if I am feeling panicky or sometimes shakey chocolate stops the shakes and I just feel better, I know your suppose to stay away from chocolate because of the caffine in it but I find a chocolate bars helps so I know what your saying...Angie

micki6886,

Chocolate also helps me. I went an entire year withoyut eating chocolate because someone told me it would trigger my panic attacks because of the caffeine that is in it. Finally, one day, I couldn't stand it anymore. I called a chocolate maker and asked just how much caffeine was in their chocolate. I was told that the caffeine in a regular size candy bar was the equivalent of that which is in two slices of white bread. I checked then with two major university hospitals who told me that the product that is in chocolate simulates caffeine, but there is one part of the molecule that is different.

Since I found that bit of information, I do eat chocolate. I also find that it changes my mood somewhat and puts a smile on my face and I am able to be more positive. I have yet to have it have an adverse affect on me.

Just like anything else, though, I think it may be slightly different with each person.

Sometimes all I need is a Hershey kiss or a few m&m's. Just depends.

DW

Hi,

I had a thought. Do you think that needing the chocolate is a way to stablize our blood sugar? With anxiety I know it can get out of whack, and having a chocolate bar can get rid of the shakes because it is balancing it out again. Just use your common sense, moderation is the key...because you can turn it into a vicious cycle. I mean that then there is too MUCH glucose and your body has to produce more adrenilin to balance etc etc...

Chantal

Thanks for everyone's feedback. What I do is buy a bag of Nestle semi-sweet chocolate morsels-the ones for making cookies. I then eat 10-15 morsels when I get the urge-which really isn't that much. And, the semi-sweet really takes care of the craving
Have a great day!!!

DW

Thanks for tracking down the truth about chocolate and sharing it here. You just made my day. I've been in deprivation mode for a month now and something (intuition) was telling me a candy bar now and then just HAD to be ok. Thanks again,

CC

Hi ,
I have stopped eating chocolate because it
does really trigger panic for me. I am a little confused though..DW, you said in your post that a candy bar has as much caffeine as two slices of white bread and now I am so confused because as far as I know white bread does not contain caffeine? Could you elaborate for us who got a little lost on that one? Thanks.

can't nor won't live without it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gee, I wish I could still eat chocolate! But, at this point, I've got myself so convinced that chocolate=caffeine=heart palpitations or panic attack that I can't.

But, I guess it's no real loss

I had no idea... I'm confused like Tami as well on this chocolate issue. Like LauraRN, I sort of recently started cutting back on chocolate and sweets in general.
I had read that sugar isn't good for anxiety either. Can anyone clarify?

I crave sweets about once per month, during my period. I think this is normal but very difficult to control.

I don't think that I can live without chocolate either...or caffine or cigarettes...I know it is getting worse and worse with my every word. But I am not to that point yet. I am afraid that if I force myself to quit those things I will become more unhappy. I really want to quit smoking but haven't found a good approach to that as my spouse is a smoker and all of my friends are smokers...In anycase...I have to have at least a morsel of chocolate everyday. They say that chocolate is a replacement for sex or something like that...I have no sex drive so I am inclined to almost believe that! LOL
~Flutterby

flutterby
No sex drive here--maybe that's why I need chocolate. Shhhh-don't tell my hubby lol
Micki

Micki,
LOL!! I have managed to smile and laugh at many of these postings tonight and yours was one of them. Thanks!! ~Flutterby

I heard that organic dark chocolate is the best. It does help raise serotonin. Milk chocolate is fine too, but the dark is better.