A Reason To Eat Chocolate

Today is National Junk Food Day.  I don't know why, but it's true. Google said so.

For me, junk food means chocolate.  I love chocolate.  But not the expensive kind - nope, I prefer M&M's and Hershey's.  For my birthday last year, my sister gave me M&M's with my name on them.  It's one of my favorite presents ever.  My hubby says I can mainline the stuff, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't mean it as a compliment.

But there is excellent news for all my fellow chocolate-aholics.

Eating chocolate can be helpful during perimenopause.

I'm pretty sure they mean dark chocolate, and not Hershey kisses.  Everything I read said to eat an ounce a day, which isn't much.  I'll deal with that later.  Today I'm focusing on the helpful part.

Dark chocolate helps in enhancing the production of endorphins, and stimulates the production of serotonin.  Serotonin is called the "happy hormone" because of its mood enhancing properties.  Mood swings are less likely to occur if your serotonin levels are elevated, which may explain why women crave chocolate during their period or menopause.  A higher quantity of serotonin makes you more likely to stay calm and relaxed.

So hip, hip hooray - it's National Junk Food Day!   Which is a good reason to eat chocolate, especially if you're in perimenopause.  Just make sure it's only one ounce of dark chocolate.

Don't mind me over here eating a bowlful of milk chocolate M&M's. :)

Linking up with LouLou Girls