A FREE Valentine s Day Treat! Why is dark chocolate better than milk chocolate? Includes a science literacy activity and nutrition investigation! By Stephanie Elkowitz http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/stephanie-elkowitz
Name: Chocolate is a popular and sweet food. It is made from cocoa liquor, cocoa butter and sugar. Cocoa liquor and butter come from the cacao bean plant. Cocoa liquor is the ground or melted part of the cacao bean. This is what makes chocolate brown. Cocoa liquor does not contain alcohol even though it is called liquor. Cocoa butter is the fat part of the cacao bean. The cocoa liquor and butter are separated to make different types of chocolate. Cocoa butter is used in other products too. It is found in lotions and cosmetics. You can make different types of chocolate by changing the amount of ingredients. There are three main types of chocolate. Dark chocolate is made by adding cocoa butter and sugar to cocoa liquor. Dark chocolate is usually 70% cocoa. Adding cocoa butter, sugar and milk to cocoa liquor makes milk chocolate. Milk chocolate is usually 25% cocoa. White chocolate is made from only cocoa butter, milk and sugar. Too much chocolate, no matter the type, is not good for you. However, dark chocolate is better for you than milk chocolate. Milk chocolate tastes great but it contains less cocoa. Cocoa has beneficial nutrients. Cocoa contains flavonoids. Flavonoids are a type of antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that may prevent or delay damage to your cells. They may help prevent cancer, heart disease and strokes. Antioxidants can help your immune system stay strong too. Flavonoids can prevent heart disease. They can also lower blood pressure and keep blood vessels healthy. Some scientists believe flavonoids stabilize blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels too. Scientists must perform more research to determine all of the benefits of flavonoids and other antioxidants. Nutritionists believe chocolate that is at least 65% cocoa is best for you. This is why they believe dark chocolate is better than milk chocolate. Milk chocolate is only 25% cocoa. Also, dark chocolate has less added sugar and fat than milk chocolate. Nutritionists recommend no more than 1 ounce of chocolate per day. One ounce of chocolate is about 5 Hershey kisses. 2
Summary Questions 1. What is the difference between cocoa liquor and cocoa butter? 2. What is the difference between dark and milk chocolate? 3. Why do you think white chocolate is white in color? 4. What is an antioxidant? What is a flavonoid? 5. Why is dark chocolate better for you than milk chocolate? 6. Why should you only consume 1 ounce of chocolate per day? 7. EXTRA CREDIT: Complete the pie graphs below to show the percentage of cocoa in dark and milk chocolate. Dark Chocolate 3 Milk Chocolate
Name: Comparing Date: PROBLEM: Is dark or milk chocolate healthier for you? OVERVIEW Chocolate is a favorite gift to give (and receive) on Valentine s Day. In this activity you will examine the nutritional benefits of a dark chocolate and milk chocolate candy bar. You will analyze that information and determine which is healthier for you dark or milk chocolate. PREDICT Do you think dark or milk chocolate is healthier for you? Why? OPTIONAL: Use candy bars instead of the nutritional information provided on page 6. DIRECTIONS Examine the nutritional information for the dark chocolate and milk chocolate candy bars. Follow the directions below. 1. Calories. A calorie is a measure of how much energy is in a food item. This energy will help fuel processes in the human body. Energy is used to move muscles, digest food, pump blood and even to think! Record the number of calories in table 1 for dark and milk chocolate. 2. Fat. Fat is a type of nutrient. Fat provides a lot of energy. Fat is also a major storage source of energy in the body. There are different types of fats. Saturated fats and trans fats are bad fats. Unsaturated fats are better. Fat is important to your diet, but too much fat or too much of the wrong type is unhealthy. Record the total amount of fat in table 1. 3. Cholesterol. Cholesterol is a type of fat in the blood. You need some cholesterol in your diet, but very little. Your body can make cholesterol on its own. Too much cholesterol in the blood can build up along blood vessel walls, causing them to narrow. Record the amount of cholesterol in table 1. 4. Sodium. Sodium is a substance your body needs to work properly. It is found in salt. The body uses sodium to control blood pressure. Too much sodium can cause high blood pressure or a build up of fluid in the body. Record the amount of sodium in table 1. 4
Comparing DIRECTIONS (continued) 5. Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are sugars. Carbohydrates provide your body with energy to fuel body processes. There are simple and complex carbohydrates. Complex carbs take longer to break down. Fiber and starch are types of complex carb. Simple carbohydrates are called simple sugars. Both types of sugar are important to your diet. It s important to get your carbs, especially simple sugars, from nutritious foods such as milk and fruit. Record the amount of carbohydrates in table 1. 6. Protein. Your body uses protein to build and repair tissues in your body. Muscles and organs are mostly made of protein. Your body also uses protein to make hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in your blood, and fight disease. Record the amount of protein in table 1. 7. Vitamins.. Vitamins are substances found in foods. They help your body work properly. They also help you grow and develop normally. There are many types of vitamins. Vitamin D helps build new bones. Vitamin A helps you see. Vitamin C helps your immune system. Record the types and amount of vitamins in table 1. 8. Calcium. Calcium is a type mineral. Just like vitamins, minerals help your body work correctly. Calcium is important to building bones. In fact, your bones are made of calcium. Dairy products, like milk and cheese, are a good source of calcium. Record the amount (% DV) of calcium in table 1. 9. Iron. Iron is a type of mineral. It is important to carrying oxygen in the blood. It helps to keep your body energized. Record the amount (%DV) of iron in table 1. ANALYSIS 1. Compare and contrast the nutrients in 1 milk chocolate and dark chocolate candy bar. Check which candy bar provides a better source of each nutrient. Pay attention to the amount and type of nutrient. For example, it s better to have MORE calcium but LESS fat. 2. Based on your observations, conclude which candy bar is better for you. Explain why you believe dark chocolate or milk chocolate is better for you. 3. Answer the conclusion questions. 5
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION DARK CHOCOLATE Comparing MILK CHOCOLATE %DV = Percent Daily Value Percent Daily Value is a guide to the nutrients in one serving of food. For example, if the label says 18% for fat, one serving will give you 18% of the fat you should consume in one day. Percent Daily Value is based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Most healthy and moderately active teenagers and adults should consume 2,000 calories a day. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Your calorie needs depend on your age, gender and physical activity. Nutritional information is for a Hershey Special Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate Candy Bar. Information obtained from www.hershey.com. 6
TABLE 1 Comparing DARK CHOCOLATE Better source? MILK CHOCOLATE Better source? Calories Total Fat (grams) Cholesterol (milligrams) Sodium (milligrams) Total Carbs (grams) Fiber (grams) Sugars (grams) Protein (grams) Vitamins (%DV) Calcium (%DV) Iron (%DV) CONCLUSION 7
Comparing Summary Questions 1. Was your predication correct? Why or why not? 2. What makes milk chocolate better than dark chocolate? 3. What makes dark chocolate better than milk chocolate? 4. Do you think it is healthy to only eat chocolate in a single day? Why? 5. What are healthier alternatives to chocolate for a sweet snack or gift? 6. EXTRA CREDIT: Based on a 2,000 calorie diet, what is the daily percent value of CALORIES for the dark chocolate and milk chocolate bar? Show your work. 8
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