The Real Skinny about Dark Chocolate

Your new Actors Reporter host, Dharbi Jens

One thing some of Christine Avanti’s successful clients do is have one small piece of dark chocolate (no more than 1 ounce) after a healthy PC combo meal. If you’re going to choose a sweet treat, this is your best choice, as recent studies have shown that dark chocolate is actually good for your health. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, antioxidants that help fight damage caused by free radicals. It also has heart health benefits, including helping to reduce high blood pressure and lower cholesterol. Look for dark chocolate (not milk of white chocolate) that has at lease 70 percent or higher cocoa content. Whatever your sweet preference may be, feel free to have the occasional treat rather than be bound to the “diet/deprivation” mind-set. Just use your good judgment and keep eating PC combos.

Christine has appeared as a guest nutrition expert and/or a healthy chef on the Today Show, Dancing with the Stars, Rachael Ray, Tyra, Good Morning America and dozens of others. She can be heard weekly on KLOVE radio and her comments and latest recipes can be found in magazines such as US Weekly, Health, Fitness, and InStyle.

Christine has had the privilege of working with celebrities such as Chelsea Handler, Audrina Patridge, Samantha Harris, Giuliana Rancic, Elizabeth Berkley, Kym Johnson, Jeremy Piven, Jason Statham, Johnny Galecki, Rich Sommer, Marcus Allen, Henry Winkler and Steven Seagal.

Christine Aventi is a graduate of the Westlake Culinary Institute professional chef program, she is a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals and teaches cooking at the Academy of Culinary Education. She holds an Associate of Science Degree in Applied Nutrition and Nutrition Certification from Huntington College of Health Sciences. She is a respected speaker and member of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals and her business is located in Los Angeles.