Want to add some pizzazz to your porridge? Read on…

Breakfast might be the most important meal of the day but the same old porridge and toast can get really boring. What if we said you could dive into our chocolate collections to add some cocoa-powered benefits to the most important meal of the day?

Don’t believe it? Then read on for some great ideas on adding chocolate to your breakfast and why it might just be the best way to start your day.

Everything starts with breakfast

Numerous studies link breakfast to good health, lower levels of LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol and even weight loss. Eating breakfast has also been shown to improve memory and lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

But just what is a healthy breakfast? The consensus is that it doesn’t matter what you eat so long as you eat something. So perhaps you can scoff that box of chocolates after all?

Not so fast. When you choose your breakfast it’s essential that you get the right intake of key nutrients like B vitamins, iron, fibre, calcium and folate. After all, breakfast should set you up with a metabolic boost and the energy you need to get you through the day.

Is it unhealthy to eat chocolate for breakfast?

We’ve all woken up with chocolate cravings. But it seems that starting your day with High Cocoa Chocolate Batons could be a viable and healthy choice after all.

Whether it’s a pain au chocolat in Paris, chocolate stuffed brioche in Rome, or churros and chocolate sauce in Madrid, a little of what you fancy seems to be just fine at the breakfast table.

In fact, a study by Tel Aviv University even touted the benefits of eating chocolate for breakfast. It seems the combination of sugar, carbs and calories is just what our bodies need to kickstart our metabolism first thing, boosting productivity and enhancing brain function. As an added bonus, that extra hit of sugar can help us to lose weight by reducing those early morning cravings that have us snacking until lunch.

And that’s not the only science that supports chocolate as a healthy breakfast choice. High-quality cocoa contains mood-enhancing chemicals including tryptophan. This increases the production of happiness-boosting serotonin and phenylethylamine which your body produces when you fall in love. No wonder you feel good after a bar.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you can chow down on your body weight in fruit and nut chocolate every morning, however deliciously healthy that might sound. But it could be that a chocolate orange a day will keep the doctor away.

What breakfasts can I make to add chocolate to?

When it comes to adding chocolate to your breakfast there are plenty of options that can be as healthy or indulgent as you want.

Christened Food of the Gods by the ancient Greeks, the cocoa plant, or theobroma cacao, is the base for chocolate, cocoa butter and cocoa powder. The key to making the most of chocolate for breakfast is to buy the best quality you can afford and remember that the higher the cocoa content, the greater the benefits.

When you’re eating chocolate for breakfast we recommend using 70% and above dark chocolate like the bars in our High Cocoa Selectors Collection.

But before you dive headfirst into our chocolate breakfast suggestions take the time to read up on our guide to staying healthy at home with chocolate. It’s packed with ideas for healthy treats that still feel indulgent like the Less Sweet Sleekster that doesn’t compromise on taste – but you’ll have to judge for yourself.

Healthy chocolate breakfast ideas

Creamy chocolate porridge

This might just be the easiest way to bring chocolate to the breakfast table. Break off a couple of chunks of indulgent 70% cocoa chocolate then stir into your morning porridge. Boost the benefits with banana slices and berries and enjoy the heavenly hit of rich, smooth chocolate.

Overnight chocolate and strawberry oats

With just a little prep you can enjoy breakfast in paradise with these little pots of goodness. Grab a mason jar and drop in a handful of sliced strawberries. Top with a mixture of rolled oats, greek or coconut yoghurt, skimmed or non-dairy milk, maple syrup to taste and cacao powder. Leave to soak overnight then top with more strawberries and a drizzle of melted dark chocolate.

Coffee smoothie

Need breakfast – and that first caffeine hit of the day – on the go? Blend up some iced or cold brew coffee, your choice of milk, half a frozen banana and some extra ice. Top with dark chocolate shavings and take along a bag of homemade trail mix to munch – toss together chocolate chips, dried apricots, coconut chips and roasted almonds to keep your energy levels up on the morning commute. You deserve it, even if that’s just the walk from your bed to your desk!

Chocolate banana bread

Hands up if you didn’t make banana bread during the lockdown. Here’s how to take it to the next level in a way that looks and tastes indulgent but is surprisingly healthy, too. Just mash up four ripe bananas then add cocoa powder, flour, coconut milk and maple syrup and bake to perfection. It’s easy to make banana bread vegan or gluten-free, and a generous sprinkle of chocolate chips or chunks delivers even more of the chocolate hit you crave.

Chocolate chunk surprise muffins

Muffins are the super simple way to enjoy a fast, healthy and delicious breakfast. Try baking up your usual carrot cake recipe with a healthy handful of chocolate chips or use a zucchini chocolate bread recipe to create delicious morsels that will keep you going until lunchtime.

Chocolate treat breakfasts

Here are a couple of ideas for an indulgent chocolate breakfast – when you want the cocoa to be the star of the show. Perfect for a lazy weekend morning, or as a way to get you through a Friday, find your favourite here.

Velvetiser hot chocolate

We couldn’t talk about luscious chocolate treat breakfasts without mentioning a luxurious cup of hot chocolate. We think the Velvetiser makes the best hot chocolate in the world with a truly luxe mouthfeel and rich chocolatey notes. Why not try it out for yourself and see if you agree? 

Melted chocolate and banana pancakes

What could be easier than two-ingredient banana pancakes? That’s right – all you need is one medium banana and two medium eggs and any extras you like. Just mash the banana until smooth and stir in cocoa, honey or maple syrup and vanilla to taste, then whisk in the eggs. Cook in a pan until golden on both sides and serve with your favourite melted chocolate dribbled decadently over the top.

Chocolatey toast

Even the humble slice of toast can be made to feel extra indulgent with this quick and gorgeous chocolate butter. Simply blend butter, chopped chocolate and maple syrup together with any spices you like – cinnamon and chilli both have a natural affinity with chocolate – then spread on your toast, and pancakes, and waffles, and did we mention brioche and croissants?

Huevos rancheros

Not every mouthwatering chocolate breakfast has to be sweet. Why not try a Mexican fiesta to start the day with a delectably spicy mole sauce laced with dark chocolate? Try Jamie’s version with leftover turkey for a smashing Boxing Day breakfast.

We hope this has given you some ideas for healthy breakfasts featuring our rich and high cocoa content dark chocolate. As we directly grow some of our own beans in St Lucia, we have an in-depth knowledge of how to craft the perfect chocolate from root to wrapper. Jump in and use our rich and flavourful chocolate to make your own special chocolate breakfasts!