Do you lose weight by drinking ceremonial cacao?

Disclaimer

This blog post contains the author's own opinions and is not supported by evidence-based sources, but by lived experience and an approach to health.

Does ceremonial cacao make you gain weight?

Does drinking cacao make you fat, considering it has so many calories?

I've been asked this question quite a few times lately, so I decided to write this post for you.

I'm writing this based on my background in holistic nutrition – not clinical health science – as I don't share the common approach of "calories in, calories out" and the idea that this accounting is the key to a healthy lifestyle and happiness with one's body (and weight).

My short answer

Does cacao make you fat – or does cacao make you gain weight?

No.
No, cacao does not make you fat.

And therefore, based on this approach, there are no restrictions on how much cacao you can drink.

Cacao's composition

Let's take a look at what your ceremonial cacao from Camilles Cacao Love contains.

Because if we look at the natural composition of cacao, it is a nutrient-rich food that has been given to us 🤎

Protein

Cacao contains 13.67g of protein per 100g.

That's actually the same protein content as in an egg.
Of course, you don't drink 100g of cacao in one cup, but I would venture to say that it's on the higher side and provides an even more balanced experience when you drink it, because it nourishes your protein intake for the day when you enjoy a cup of cacao.

If you use cacao as a medicinal food, you can add collagen from, for example, Green Goddess (marine collagen) or Functional Future (made from cow), both of whom produce high-quality collagen powders and have their own production.

Fat content

It has a high fat content of ~55.64g per 100g.

I'm not a fan of the 90s' fear of fat. I see it as highly satiating nutrition, and I believe we need to follow our ancestors' — or rather, return to — approaches to food.

From an evolutionary perspective, our biology hasn't changed so much that we should be so afraid of fat.

The fact is also that when a food naturally contains fat in this quantity, you cannot eat endless amounts. There is a natural desire to stop consuming – otherwise, it will probably come if you experience nausea from drinking too much.

Carbohydrates

The content is 25.24g per 100g.

It's not exactly keto or low carb just by looking at this number. But due to the fiber content, I would be inclined to write that it doesn't negatively affect your blood sugar – unless you sweeten your cacao excessively.

Fibre

15.4g of fiber per 100g is a high fiber content.

According to the Danish Health Authority, all foods with a fiber content exceeding 5g per 100g can be categorized as high-fiber foods.

Fibers help stabilize blood sugar and care for your digestion (you might have noticed that? 😉)

Summary

You don't consume large quantities:
Due to its fat, protein, and fiber content, cacao is satiating. Yes, it has more calories than many other things you can eat. But you will most likely experience satiety for longer and stable energy levels, which affects your mentality and emotions.

Balances blood sugar:
Of course, it depends on what else you add to your cacao, but you will most likely not end up in an afternoon energy crash and feel like snacking or eating sweets to wake up or keep your brain going.

Nutrient-rich food:
Look at the composition of the nutrients. It is a stable and nutrient-rich food from Mother Earth.

A perspective on food and health

I believe we need to examine our relationship with processed foods. That it is part of the reason why we are becoming increasingly ill as humans.

We need real food – nutrients and especially minerals – as our soil is very depleted due to our farming practices.

I would also like to invite us to not consider whether something makes us fat or not.
Whether it will contribute to us gaining weight or not.

If it's real food that makes us feel good here and now and in the long run, then it's good.

Nutritional content test of Camilles Cacao Love

If you're curious about the nutrition in Camilles Cacao Love, the ceremonial cacao was tested in the lab this summer for its content of minerals and antioxidants, among other things.

Then you can see what it means for you when you drink your ceremonial cacao from me 🤎

Read more about the nutrition in Camilles Cacao Love (minerals & antioxidants)

You can find the blog post here