If you’re someone who lights up at the thought of chocolate (and honestly, who doesn’t?), you will be pleased to know that your favourite indulgence does not have to be off limits when living a health-conscious lifestyle. In fact, the right kind of chocolate can deliver a surprising number of wellbeing benefits, from boosting your mood to supporting your heart and even balancing hormones. And with World Chocolate Day falling on 7th July, there’s no better time to celebrate chocolate in all its rich, feel-good glory. So, if you’re a chocolate fan ready to upgrade your treat game, this nutritionist-approved round-up of the best healthy chocolate bars is for you.

Why Do We Love Chocolate So Much?

There is a reason chocolate has such universal appeal, particularly among women. It contains natural compounds that stimulate the release of endorphins, those feel-good hormones that help lift your mood. You will also find small amounts of caffeine and theobromine in chocolate, offering a gentle, energising boost. Add to that its naturally occurring magnesium, a mineral known for easing tension and supporting hormone health, and it is no wonder so many of us crave it during our cycle.

“The problem with most commercial chocolate,” explains nutritionist Naomi Newman-Beinart, “is what gets added after the cocoa. Think refined sugar, milk solids, emulsifiers, artificial flavourings and a long list of unnecessary extras that offer little value to your health.”

A Nutritionist’s Guide to Choosing a Better Chocolate

If you love chocolate and eat it regularly, it is worth being more discerning about what you choose. Naomi advises looking for options with a higher cocoa content for more antioxidants and less sugar, and prioritising brands that use unrefined sweeteners such as coconut sugar or dates. Go for dairy-free or plant-based where possible, and avoid any chocolate that contains palm oil, emulsifiers or synthetic additives. Ethical sourcing and sustainable packaging are also key because chocolate should feel good in every sense.

Ombar Pistachio Centres

This beautifully crafted bar takes indulgence to another level with a smooth dark chocolate shell and creamy pistachio truffle centre. Made with 60% cacao and sweetened only with coconut sugar, it is antioxidant-rich and free from refined ingredients. Pistachio chocolate is having a moment, but many luxury versions, particularly those inspired by Middle Eastern patisseries, tend to be heavy on sugar and dairy. Ombar’s is a rare exception that offers pure, green-hued indulgence with a clean label to match.

Ocelot Chocolate Blood Orange

This female-founded artisan brand is just as passionate about sustainability as it is about flavour. Their Blood Orange bar combines organic cocoa with raw cane sugar and real orange oil sourced from Sicily, resulting in a refined, zesty twist on classic dark chocolate. Each bar is presented in plastic-free recyclable paper with artwork as elegant as the chocolate itself.

Seed and Bean Extra Dark 100% Cocoa

For serious purists, Seed and Bean’s 100% Cocoa bar is all about deep, uncompromising flavour. Made from nothing more than organic cocoa mass and cocoa butter, it is an intense and antioxidant-rich experience with zero sugar. Handmade in England, this bar also comes in compostable packaging, ticking both health and sustainability boxes.

Ombar Blonde

A healthier choice for white chocolate lovers, Ombar Blonde blends fair-trade cacao and creamed coconut with chicory root fibre and unrefined cane sugar. It contains 23 percent less sugar than regular white chocolate, yet delivers a deeply satisfying, caramel-like melt. The addition of gut-supportive chicory root makes this a standout bar for both taste and function.

Rhythm 108 Sweet’n’Salty Almond Bar

Made in Switzerland, this creamy oat milk chocolate bar is laced with roasted almonds and a hint of sea salt. It is entirely plant-based, organic and free from refined sugar, with packaging that is fully compostable. Ideal for those who want a balanced bar that tastes indulgent but feels light on the conscience.

Raw Halo Mylk Chocolate Buttons

For a smaller, more mindful portion of chocolate, Raw Halo’s silky Mylk Chocolate Buttons offer a plant-based fix that is perfect for dipping into when a craving hits. Made with raw cacao and coconut sugar, they are as clean as they are comforting. With their elegant packaging and portion control appeal, they are ideal for keeping in your bag or wellness drawer.

HU Kitchen Chocolate

Originally created in New York with a mission to get back to human, HU Kitchen chocolate has quickly become a cult favourite among clean-eating chocolate lovers. Free from dairy, refined sugar, palm oil and emulsifiers, their bars are made with organic cacao and sweetened with coconut sugar. Whether you go for their Cashew Butter and Pure Vanilla Bean or their Almond Butter and Puffed Quinoa, HU delivers creamy texture and flavour with none of the nasties. It is the ultimate bar for those who want indulgence with integrity. 

Booja-Booja Truffle Selection Box

When only truffles will do, Booja-Booja delivers. Handmade in Norfolk using organic ingredients such as raw cacao, coconut syrup and cashew cream, their vegan truffles are luxurious, smooth and totally dairy-free. Beautifully boxed, they make a perfect gift for others or a decadent ritual for yourself.

“Always check the label,” advises Naomi. “The fewer ingredients, the better. Simpler bars usually have fewer additives and more of the good stuff like high-quality cacao and natural sweeteners.”

She recommends opting for chocolate with at least 70% cocoa if you want the antioxidant benefits without too much sugar. Choosing organic and fair trade ensures you are supporting not only your own health, but also the health of the farmers and the planet.

As for conventional milk chocolate packed with dairy fat and refined sugars? Naomi suggests keeping it for the occasional treat rather than a regular habit.

So yes, you can absolutely keep chocolate in your life and even feel good about it. With a more mindful approach and a better-quality bar, treating yourself has never felt more satisfying.

words by Charlotte Dormon