Ultra Processed Foods - Lindt 70% Dark Chocolate

[Wheninromme]

I bought ‘the book’ a while ago and have only got round to reading it recently. I feel disgusted, as I assume most did, with the food industry. I have cut out every possible UPF from the family’s diet (with the exception of some moderately processed condiments - mainly soy sauce, stock). We are now consuming up to 5% PF/UPF (previously 15-20%).

I have also recently switched to One-meal-a-day for its health benefits. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and it has definitely helped my cognitive functioning, especially during work.

In the past week, I have really enjoyed a dessert to follow my main: Greek yogurt, frozen berries (blueberries, strawberries or raspberries), Manuka honey and crushed cashew nuts. With a few calories to spare, and previous knowledge that dark chocolate has health benefits; I purchased Lindt Excellence 70% Dark Chocolate.

After eating it with my coveted dessert, I went to research the benefits of dark chocolate again - only to find this exact brand and bar is linked with high levels of heavy metals.

I am gutted and don’t understand how these companies continuously get away with playing with the public’s health (rhetorical question). AIBU to bin the chocolate? What are the alternatives you enjoy…

I've just found this on the Chococo website (they make excellent chocolate BTW, their 80% buttons are nice but sadly they don't do a 90%!)

www.chococo.co.uk/news/why-you-shouldnt-be-worried-about-cadmium-and-lead-in-chocolate?srsltid=AfmBOooNeHhYdfuyyjsc5h2XAsHHjW5uxq053UDhDA-q0TjgUulvQ3ig

I do think one can get too obsessive about clean eating.

I mostly eat Montezuma couverture buttons. But I do eat Lindt too sometimes.

Of course this is my experience only. I have been able to remember important details verbatim, generally feeling sharper and I am noticeable quicker anticipating questions (fairly high stress job in financial services) since starting OMAD.

@BefuddledCrumble was the piss off to me?

I was not having a go at anyone if it was. I was saying how so many of us feel pressure to be a certain weight and eat a particular way and I wish we could be kinder to ourselves..

There's some dangerous ideas in this thread and some very unwell people. I hope you can resolve your food issues with therapy and support.

The amount of people developing eating disorders - orthorexia and anorexia - as a result of UPF panic is really worrying.

OP, just eat the chocolate. It's not going to do you even the slightest bit of harm, at all.

I eat as little upf as possible - always have done. However, I occasionally indulge in the lindt dark chocolate balls. Hadn't heard of the heavy metal link but need to keep a balance.....

Thank you for the detailed response!

I would love to try chia seeds again, but I fear I am allergic to them and would rather not take the risk. I use the M&S New Zealand Manuka 100MGO Honey (also really like M&S Collection Single Apiary Pure British Honey).

I am honestly not 100% sold on the Zoe CGM which is why I have not purchased it already. It seems like just another thing to focus and I am not sure if will be any more beneficial than a food diary. It sounds very similar to MyfitnessPal’s food diary (which I have been using on and off for a number of years) but with added insights. Maybe I will reconsider it in the future.

Honestly I wanted to ignore the orthorexia comments, because nothing I have posted should lead you to this assumption. I eat all of my calories in one window (and track my micronutrients) and want to avoid processed foods. It is extremely easy because I am petite, thus require less daily calories.

I disagree that people are developing eating disorders as a result of UPF. If there were any correlation, it would be fair to assume that those affected people already struggled with disordered eating and/or a negative relationship with food.

I assume the OP eats just one meal a day? Hoping I am wrong......

UPF is the latest fad - best to ignore - there will be something else along soon. Eat three meals a day with a varied diet and you’ll be fine!

Agreed. It must be miserable obsessing about your diet like this.

'Obsessing' might be miserable, but eating a clean diet most of the time is the opposite of miserable. It leaves you feeling your best self.

Nothing makes me more miserable than the bloated, sluggish, lethargic feeling after eating utter shite.

I have a bar of it in the cupboard. Do the heavy metals mean that Iron Maiden will start playing once I break a few squares off?

I quite like Lindt dark chocolate but I'd rather have a couple of curly wurlies. At this time of year, I like dipping them in my coffee with a huge dollop of squirty cream on top 😆

I don't quite think that. I think it's admirable to avoid UPFs for the most part, but if you're going to have a bit of chocolate - have some chocolate! You can be healthy with some less than optimal foods.

I also have no problem with OMAD. I have a very short friend who does this and I can see how it works for very small people. It's not for me, but I don't eat breakfast and some people think even that is 'faddy'.

Having to ask about a piece of chocolate does come across as a bit obsessive.