Any tips for beating chocolate cravings?

[MsMarple]

Hi everyone
Just wondered if anyone has any good tips for beating unhealthy food cravings?
I'm still more than a stone heavier than I was at the start of my last pregnancy, thanks to the constant stream of dairy milk that passed my lips for 9 months.
Desperate not to make the same mistake again - can't afford more new clothes for one thing - but have no clue about abstinence or moderation, especially when pg!
Does anyone have any magic tips to share?
Keeping my fingers crossed that there is some miracle nutrient that will erase all desire for chocolate...

This might sound weird but if I eat avocados and lots of fruit then I don't seem to crave chocolate as much. I discovered this a few years ago when I embarked on fresh juicing with the jason vale books, I genuinely did not get any sugar cravings probably because of all the fruit and veg. Dunno if this helps.
As soon as my baba's here I have to make a conscious effort (after some time has passed) to get off the 5 stones I've put on during this, my first pregnancy

I came across this recipe recently and although I've not yet tried making it myself, I plan to, because I'm in exactly the same position as you!

Fudge Babies
120g c walnuts or other nuts
230 g pitted dates
1 tsp vanilla extract
3-4 tablespoons cocoa powder, depending on how chocolatey you want the balls to be
Chop/blend all the ingredients, using a food processor and roll into balls or shape into bars.

I simply can't face NO CHOCOLATE, so I'm trying to find a healthier way to have some.

I find that eating peaches helps to balance my blood sugar and satisfies cravings for unhealthy sweet stuff

Try 70% cocoa dark chocolate. A couple of squares has the same effect as a bar of dairy milk. It lingers in the mouth for ages. Full of antioxidants as well, so practically a health food!

I was given some Willies Delectable Peruvian 70% (Waitrose) for my birthday and I've radically cut my intake of sweet stuff since. This may be connected to the fact that the children's selection boxes from Christmas are finally finished though .

Wonder what it is about chocolate that you need? When I was preg I really wanted crisps - there was something wbout the crunch & unsugaryness. Perhaps if you go with your craving you'll actually eat less than if you search for something that doesn't quite hit the spot iyswim

Hi - I'm totally with you on the dark chocolate flybynight. Was fed up of getting the major munchies for sweet things and it worked brilliantly. Go for as high % as you can find, Green and Blacks 85% is good, and although it's expensive 3/4 squares is about as much you need to completely quash your appetite. Hence a bar will last a few days!

Thanks very much for the ideas - will try them all!
Although obviously not all at once as that would rather defeat the object of healthy moderation

I only like milk chocolate and only a well-known brand too! If I put dark chocolate in my mouth (particularly fancy stuff) I find it so bitter and gross, it puts me right off any sort of chocolate. Try it!

Drink options hot chocolate to satiate the choc cravings?

Otherwise treat yourself to little multipack size ones only - one a day to keep the calories down.