When a diet prohibits certain delicious foods, it can become a lot harder to stick to. The end result is often that dieters give up and revert entirely to their old, unhealthy eating habits.

You can make it easier to take on new habits by replacing junk food with healthier sweets — and by allowing yourself to enjoy them more. A small amount of high-quality dark chocolate has genuine nutritional value, will help satisfy cravings, and is much better for you than a typical candy bar. And if you can teach yourself to savor your dark chocolate — eating it slowly and really absorbing the complex flavors and texture — you’ll be even better off. Give it a try!

Photo by Lee McCoy.