Chocolate is healthy, if it doesn’t have loads of sugar. If you need chocolate in your life, we have a solution! (written 12/08/2024)

The holiday season is here! Sweet treats are a hallmark of festive celebrations—they delight our taste buds and stir up warm memories of holidays past. But sugary and processed foods can also have inflammatory effects on the body, which may lead to a flare-up of post-infection symptoms—just when you need your energy the most. So, how do you strike a balance?

A few simple swaps and adjustments can help you manage symptoms over the holidays while still feeling like you’re part of the celebration. Today, we’re sharing one of our go-to holiday treats* that’s both delicious and inflammation-friendly: a simple chocolate recipe you can customize with spices, nuts, or dried fruits. Not only is it easy to make, but it also looks impressive—perfect for sharing, gifting, or savoring yourself! You can even make this as a fun activity to do with friends or family.

At our recent Thanksgiving gatherings, our families were amazed by how much they enjoyed healthier snacks and treats that also helped manage inflammation. Many left with new recipes and ideas to try at home! It was a great reminder that having a few reliable, tasty options can make a huge difference when introducing changes that support your body. As always, we prioritize recipes that are low-effort and energy-friendly—especially during the busy holiday season when pacing is key.

If you missed it, two weeks ago, we shared recipes for Cranberry Sauce and Healthy Apple Crisp. The Apple Crisp is a crowd-pleasing dessert that doubles as a cozy breakfast option. Meanwhile, the Cranberry Sauce is a twist on the classic version and has become a versatile favorite—it pairs wonderfully with turkey, works as a fruit dip or spread, and even makes a great topping for breakfasts like overnight oats or desserts like chia pudding.

Now, back to chocolate! While it sometimes gets a bad rap, cacao itself is rich in anti-inflammatory properties and can be beneficial for those with post-infection conditions. The downside? It’s often paired with lots of sugar in store-bought versions. Not in our recipe! We also want to mention that cacao contains some caffeine—much less than coffee, but still something to keep in mind. For example, Katie avoids caffeinated drinks altogether, but the caffeine in this recipe doesn’t affect her Long COVID symptoms.

This week, our local health food store invited us to do a live cooking demo of this chocolate recipe, and we couldn’t wait to share it with you as well. We hope it becomes a holiday favorite in your kitchen!

Warmly,
Katie & Andrea

P.S. Managing symptoms isn’t about eliminating foods altogether; it’s about finding alternatives that support your health and feel just as indulgent. We hope you enjoy making this chocolate (the process and product might even give you a dopamine boost!)—and, of course, savoring every bite!

*Note: If you like the recipe, please reach out to us, we are happy to send it your way. Because it's so good, it's also in the recipe section in our book Recovery Kitchen Essentials.