These Decadent Chocolate Bars Are Low-Key Healthy

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Dark chocolate: It’s a sweet treat all of us can get behind. Its rich flavor and melty, luxurious texture have us coming back for bite after bite whenever we’re craving healthy chocolate and a delicious dessert in one. And the best dark chocolates are also associated with health claims that make each square extra appealing.

The healthiest dark chocolates contain high amounts of flavanol, an anti-inflammatory antioxidant, explains Keri Gans, M.S., R.D., a New York-based nutrition consultant and author of The Small Change Diet. These flavanols may provide a variety of health benefits relating to heart health and brain health.

Meet the experts: Whitney Linsenmeyer, Ph.D., R.D., a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; Lisa R. Young, Ph.D., R.D.N., an adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University; Keri Gans, M.S., R.D., a New York-based nutrition consultant and author of The Small Change Diet; Scott Keatley, R.D., of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy

One of the best ways to make sure you’re picking a healthy chocolate snack is to look at the amount of cacao—which is the bean that chocolate is made from (a.k.a the purest form of chocolate). The darkest (and healthiest) chocolate will have high cacao percentages, which Gans explains generally correlates to lower sugar content.

Our top picks

Check out what experts have to say about how healthy chocolate really is, and the best bars to try.

Sea Salt and Almond Organic 80% Dark Chocolate

This indulgent dark chocolate bar is made with roasted almonds and 80% cacao. “If you can get 70% or more cocoa and get some almonds thrown in, I can’t argue with that,” offers Gans. Taza chocolate is stone-ground, so it will have a slightly grainy texture, which some people prefer, instead of milky smooth.

Nutrition per serving: 210 cal, 4 g pro, 14 g carb, 3 g fiber, 7 g sugars, 16 g fat (9 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 154 mg sodium

70% Dark Chocolate Bar

Keatley recommends trying Lindt’s 70% cocoa, which is a full-bodied chocolate bar that tastes balanced so it’s not too bitter. Bonus: This dark chocolate comes in a case, so you enjoy some now and have plenty left over for later (or to share!). Even better, they’re under $3 a pop!

Nutrition per serving: 190 cal, 2 g pro, 13 g carb, 2 g fiber, 2 g sugars (9 g added sugars), 14 g fat (9 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 5 mg sodium

85% Dark Chocolate Bar

If you have food allergies, Pascha’s organic dark chocolate will give you peace of mind: It’s completely free of nuts, dairy, wheat, gluten, and most common allergens. Made with only four ingredients and 85% cacao, these sustainably sourced chocolate bars give you rich flavor without all of those unhealthy additives, earning a stamp of approval from Keatley.

Nutrition per serving: 160 cal, 3 g pro, 10 g carb, 3 g fiber, 4 g sugars (4 g added sugars), 12 g fat (8 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 0 mg sodium

Sweets Extra Dark Chocolate Bar

Looking for a chocolate bar that steers completely clear of sugar? This option from Lily’s uses stevia to sweeten its 70% cocoa formula, meaning there’s no added sugar at all. And did we mention that this bar is keto-friendly?

Nutrition per serving: 130 cal, 3 g pro, 15 g carb, 8 g fiber, 0 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 12 g fat (7 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 0 mg sodium

Chocolate Sea Salt Organic Dark Chocolate Bar

Calling all savory-meets-sweet dessert fans. Clocking in at 70% cacao, you can enjoy its delicious sea salt flavor while appreciating the healthy antioxidants. The brand also comes in delicious flavors, like citrus and caramel bars.

Nutrition per serving: 160 cal, 2 g pro, 14 g carb, 3 g fiber, 9 g sugars (9 g added sugars), 11 g fat (6 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 100 mg sodium

Salty 70% Dark Chocolate Bar

If you’re newly committed to a healthy diet but secretly worried about missing out on treats like chocolate, don’t fret. This 70% cacao vegan chocolate bar with French sea salt is a savory twist on the classic, minus unhealthy additives. Let the ingredients list speak for itself: organic cacao, unrefined organic coconut sugar, organic fair-trade cocoa butter, and sea salt.

Nutrition per serving: 180 cal, 2 g pro, 13 g carb, 3 g fiber, 9 g sugars (8 g added sugars), 13 g fat (8 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 105 mg sodium

Intense Dark 86% Cacao Dark Chocolate

For those looking for a super-dark option (that might taste good crushed and sprinkled atop some froyo—just a suggestion), this bitter bar offers the cacao taste without too much added sugar. But, it does pack quite a bit of fat in its three-piece serving size.

Nutrition per serving: 190 cal, 3 g pro, 11 g carb, 4 g fiber, 4 g sugars (4 g added sugars), 19 g fat (11 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 0 mg sodium

Organic 70% Dark Chocolate Bar, Wild Ginger & Cayenne

These organic, hand-crafted chocolate bars have a rich, velvety texture with a unique flavor profile. Plus, you’ll feel good knowing that you’re contributing to the livelihood of the women’s cooperatives and cacao farmers in the Dominican Republic and Peru, who produce this company’s organic chocolate.

Nutrition per serving: 190 cal, 3 g pro, 21 g carb, 8 g fiber, 12 g sugars (11 g added sugars), 14 g fat (8 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 0 mg sodium

70% Dark Chocolate Bar

With six servings per bar, this seriously big sweet from Dutch chocolatier Tony’s Chocolonely should satisfy your cravings for weeks (or just days) to come. And unlike other brands, Tony’s works directly with farmers in Ghana and the Ivory Coast, producing chocolate that’s certified slave-free.

Nutrition per serving: 170 cal, 2 g pro, 12 g carb, 4 g fiber, 8 g sugars (8 g added sugars), 13 g fat (8 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 0 mg sodium

Almonds & Sea Salt in Strong Dark Chocolate

For a dark chocolate bar with extra crunch, seek out Chocolove’s almonds and sea salt-studded option. It’s both ethically sourced and certified non-GMO.

Nutrition per serving: 211 cal, 3 g pro, 19 g carb, 3 g fiber, 14 g sugars, 14 g fat (7 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 97 mg sodium

Cashew Vanilla Chocolate Bar

This chocolate bar is a personal favorite of Prevention assistant editor, Shannen Zitz. “I love that I can snack on this bar while still feeling good about what I’m putting in my body,” she says. “Plus, the cashew butter is delicious.” Gans also approves of this bar, calling it a “great option” because “it contains 70% cacao, 2 g of heart-healthy fiber, and 3 g of muscle-building protein.”

Nutrition per serving: 180 cal, 3 g pro, 14 g carb, 2 g fiber, 9 g sugars, 13 g fat (7 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 25 mg sodium

82% Extra Dark Chocolate Bar

This chocolate bar contains a very high percentage of cacoa, 82% to be exact, making it “another good choice,” Gans explains. “Besides its yummy taste, it has a very high amount of flavanols, 6 g of fiber, and 5 g of protein.” While not a high-protein food, it does contain the highest amount of protein per serving out of all the options on this list.

Nutrition per serving: 210 cal, 5 g pro, 17 g carb, 6 g fiber, 8 g sugars, 19 g fat (12 g sat fat), 0 mg chol, 0 mg sodium

How to choose the healthiest chocolate

Dig dark chocolate. Grab a bar with 70% cocoa or higher (more cocoa equals more flavonoids). If dark chocolate tastes too bitter for you, dark milk chocolate is a pretty sweet compromise—it has less sugar and more cocoa than traditional milk chocolate, which may have as little as 10%. If it says “milk chocolate” but has a cocoa percentage of 38% or higher, you’ll know it’s dark milk.

Read the ingredients. Chocolate, cocoa, or cacao should appear first in the ingredient list, meaning there’s more of it by weight. If sugar is first on the list or you see unfamiliar ingredients, steer clear, says Young.

Know your source. Dutch-processed cocoa tends to have a reduced flavonoid content because of how the chocolate is processed, while one recent study found that cocoa beans from Colombia had the highest flavonoid content, likely because of things like plant variety and geography.

The health benefits of dark chocolate

There has been lots of research on dark chocolate, but the hype has outpaced the science. Translation: Eating dark chocolate won’t instantly or directly help you reach your goals. What is certain is that cocoa is rich in three types of flavonoids—phytochemicals in nearly all plant-based foods that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers. This is important because chronic inflammation is linked to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic syndrome, asthma, heart disease, and cancer. “These compounds also benefit cardiovascular health by improving blood flow, reducing the risk of clotting, and improving blood pressure levels,” says Whitney Linsenmeyer, Ph.D., R.D., a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Cocoa is also rich in iron, zinc, copper, and magnesium.

How much dark chocolate is healthy to eat?

Studies suggest the dosage of flavonoids varies, so there is no specific amount to eat to reap the benefits. But experts confirm that dark chocolate is best consumed in moderation like you would any other piece of candy.

“It’s best reserved as a treat,” says Lisa R. Young, Ph.D., R.D.N., an adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University and the author of Finally Full, Finally Slim. “Yes, it does contain antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins, and minerals, but let’s not call it a health food—it still contains plenty of sugar and fat.” In other words, aim for 1/4 of a full-size bar.

Is dark chocolate healthy?

“Dark chocolate is rich in anti-inflammatory antioxidants, specifically flavanols, which may help reduce the risk of heart disease, support brain health, and reduce the risk of certain cancers,” Gans explains. However, not all dark chocolate is the same nutrition-wise. Gans suggests choosing a bar of dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao, since a higher percentage of this “typically equates [to] less added sugar” and higher flavanols.

Is chocolate healthy?

“Dark chocolate is a healthier option than milk chocolate or white chocolate,” according to Gans. The latter varieties typically contain more sugar and additives.

Milk chocolate does contain some flavonols, Gans notes, boosting it’s health-factor. But it contains less than dark chocolate, and overall has less nutritional value than dark chocolate.

White chocolate doesn’t contain any flavanols, Gans adds, meaning it has the least nutritional value out of all types of chocolate.

How we chose the best dark chocolate

We consulted Whitney Linsenmeyer, Ph.D., R.D., a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; Lisa R. Young, Ph.D., R.D.N., an adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University; Keri Gans, M.S., R.D., a New York-based nutrition consultant and author of The Small Change Diet; and Scott Keatley, R.D., of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy. We also poured through countless reviews and performed some of our own testing. The Prevention Test Kitchen reviewed all nutrition labels, to help us find the tastiest, healthiest dark chocolate bars.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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