One
of my goals this 2018 is to eat healthier (because my latest lipid profile test
result is not that good) and to write more articles about healthy eating aside
from doing DIY green beauty projects. For the past few days, I was busy looking
for a one-stop online shop in the Philippines that sells hard-to-find healthy
items (e.g. chia seeds, flax seeds, etc.) at an affordable price. Luckily, I
found KM’s Organics – a family-owned online business that sells healthy food and drink that are
categorized as “superfood” because they are packed with nutrients and health
benefits. I ordered a couple of items to try from their shop based on the
recommendation of the owner who is very accommodating J
This
first product that I tried (and is the focus of this article) is KM’s Organics Raw Cacao Nibs which comes in a resealable packaging to maintain its freshness. First of all,
you might wonder, what are cacao nibs and how are they different from
chocolates? Cacao nibs are simply cacao beans that have been dried, roasted,
removed from the shell and crushed into smaller pieces. Cacao nibs are
considered the purest form of chocolate. Actually, they’re like dark chocolate
minus the sugar. Cacao nibs are bitter and have strong chocolatey aroma and raw
taste. It actually took me some time to get used to the bitter taste but after
a while I’m already addicted to it. Always remember that the more bitter and
less processed the chocolate is, the more antioxidants and nutrients it
contains. This makes cacao nibs a lot better choice than your typical grocery-bought
dark chocolates.
Health Benefits of Raw Cacao Nibs
1. Regulates Bowel Movement
Cacao
nibs are rich in fiber. In fact, approximately 1 cup of raw cacao nibs contains
29 grams of dietary fiber. The recommended daily dietary fiber intake of a
healthy person should be 25 – 30 grams. If you are constipated, then try to
include raw cacao nibs in your daily diet to help keep your bowel movement
regular. High-fiber cacao nibs also make you feel full for hours after you eat.
It’s a great way to control your constant food cravings.
2. Protects the Heart from Cardiovascular
Diseases
One
of the most important compounds of cacao nibs is flavonoids. Flavonoids are
antioxidants that can help prevent heart disease and stroke by protecting the
arteries in your heart and brain. Raw cacao nibs have a high concentration of
flavonoids and have been shown to lower blood pressure.
3. Improves Bone and Muscle Health
Raw
cacao nibs are one of the highest sources of magnesium. A cup of cacao nibs
contains 429 mg of magnesium. Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays an
important role in our body. It improves bone formation in order to lower the
risk of developing osteoporosis. Magnesium also improves muscle and nerve
functions.
4. Boosts Your Mood
If
you’re feeling down for the day, eating just a few teaspoons of raw cacao nibs
can definitely improve your mood. Cacao nibs trigger the release of brain
inducing chemicals like endorphin and serotonin that are known as “feel-good”
hormones.
How to Use Raw Cacao Nibs
1. Replace Your Cup of Coffee with Brewed Cacao
Nibs
If
you’re looking for a healthier alternative to your regular cup of coffee, then
brewed cacao nibs are the answer to your prayers. Cacao nibs have less caffeine
content than coffee beans. Simply grind the cacao nibs and use them in place of
coffee beans in your coffee maker. You can also mix equal parts coffee beans
and cacao nibs for a delicious mocha drink. No coffee maker? Why not try this cold-brewed cacao drink that doesn’t need any coffee machine.
2. Yoghurt or Ice Cream Toppings
Add
some extra crunch and nutrition to plain yoghurt or vanilla ice cream with a
few teaspoons of raw cacao nibs. This is actually my favorite healthy snack
since I started my diet. I usually add a teaspoon of cacao nibs on top of frozen
Greek yoghurt. The bitterness of cacao nibs complements the sourness of the
yoghurt.
3. Add Chocolatey Flavor to Smoothies
Take
your morning smoothies to the next level by adding raw cacao nibs. You can try
this vegan Cacao Coffee Banana Smoothie for a start.
4. Salad with Cacao Vinaigrette
Who
could have thought that you can actually make a salad dressing using cacao
nibs? Yes, it’s possible. I found this chocolate-inspired salad vinaigrette from Oprah Winfrey’s website which combines finely ground cacao nibs with olive
oil-balsamic vinegar mixture. Don’t forget to reserve some cacao nibs for salad
toppings.
5. Healthy Snacks with Cacao Nibs
When
mid-afternoon cravings strike, instead of munching sugar-loaded snacks, try
healthier alternatives like this Almond Cacao Crunch Trail Mix or this Coconut Oil and Cocoa Nib Granola.
Where to Buy Raw Cacao Nibs in the Philippines
You
can buy authentic raw cacao nibs at KM’s Organics. Their raw cacao nibs are available
in 80 gram and 150 gram resealable packs. Price is very affordable J
Shopee: https://shopee.ph/jayjayed
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kmsorganics/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kmorganics/
Have
you tried raw cacao nibs before? How do you like to enjoy raw cacao nibs? Share
it on the comment section below.
P.S.
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