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Nutrition and daily life

Chocolate overview — chocolate card

Chocolate is cocoa, sugar and fats; taste varies by type. Choice, sugar and safety.

Last updated: ~1 min read
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Figure 1.Chocolate overview.

01Short answer

Chocolate is cocoa, sugar and fats; taste varies by type. Sealed pack, date, small portion. Avoid open displays. Does not replace treatment.

02Simple explanation

Sealed pack.

Check the date.

Small portion.

Open display — caution.

03Scientific explanation

WHO: cut free sugars.

CDC: caution with open foods.

ACS: sugar “feeding” cancer is oversimplified.

04What happens in the body?

What is it?

Chocolate is cocoa, sugar and fats; taste varies by type.

Choice

Intact foil; heavy white bloom can mean melting.

Sugar and cocoa

Milk/white sweeter; dark higher in cocoa.

Safety

Open displays can be risky in neutropenia.

Caffeine and theobromine

Cocoa contains caffeine and theobromine; dark chocolate has more of both. If you have poor sleep, palpitations or nausea, cut down on chocolate in the evening. Ask your pharmacist about any medicine questions.

Storage

Keep chocolate in a dry, cool place in closed packaging. A white bloom is usually fat or sugar rising to the surface, but if the wrapper is torn or the smell has changed, don't eat it. Filled chocolate (cream, nuts) spoils faster.

05Four steps

Sealed pack, date, small piece, wash hands.

1SealedNot torn.
2DateIn date.
3Small1–2 pieces.
4HandsWash.
SafeSealed pack.
ModerationSmall portion.
DateChecked.

06Brief

TopicNote
PackSealed.
SugarEat little.
DisplayCaution.

07Key terms

Pack
Factory seal.
Free sugars
Sugar in the sweet.
Display
Open counter.
Neutropenia
Infection risk.

08Key points

  • Sealed pack.
  • Check date.
  • Small portion.
  • Skip open displays.
  • Not a treatment.
  • Cocoa contains caffeine — less in the evening.

09Frequently asked questions

In neutropenia?

Sealed pack and team rule.

A lot?

High sugar — keep small.

Treats leukemia?

No.

Is dark chocolate a treatment?

No. Dark chocolate does not treat leukemia.

How much a day?

A small portion (one or two squares) is enough; it is high in sugar and calories.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. In neutropenia?

  2. A lot?

  3. Treats leukemia?

  4. Is dark chocolate a treatment?

  5. How much a day?

My questions

12Sources

  1. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Diet Guidelines for Immunosuppressed Patients
  2. CDC. Safer Food Choices for People With Weakened Immune Systems
  3. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  4. NHS. Food safety
  5. World Health Organization. Healthy diet fact sheet
  6. U.S. FDA. Food Safety: What You Need to Know
  7. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Food Safety During Cancer Treatment
  8. American Cancer Society. Nutrition for People with Cancer
  9. ESPEN. ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical Nutrition in cancer (2021)
  10. USDA. FoodData Central
  11. World Health Organization. Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children
  12. World Health Organization. Salt reduction
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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