The Ultimate Chocolate Showdown: Dark vs. Milk vs. White

If you're anything like me, then you know there's nothing better than sinking your teeth into a delicious bite of chocolatey goodness--milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate--and everything in between!  Whatever kind of chocolate you're hankerin' for is sure to be found in your local supermarket these days.  Some for eating, some for baking; in chip form, bars, blocks and wafers.  But have you ever wondered which type of chocolate reigns supreme? It's time to settle the score once and for all: dark chocolate vs. milk chocolate vs. white chocolate.  Let's go!

The Ultimate Chocolate Showdown: Dark vs. Milk vs. White

Dark Chocolate

​First up, we've got the mysterious and sophisticated dark chocolate. Dark chocolate has been around for centuries; it was first consumed by the ancient Mayans and Aztecs in Central America, who believed that it had mystical and aphrodisiac powers. Today, dark chocolate is a favorite of many European countries, with Switzerland and Belgium being the top producers. In fact, Switzerland is home to the famous chocolate brand Lindt, which has been making chocolate since 1845.
​

Why We Like It

This type of chocolate is like a suave secret agent - it's intense, complex, and just a little bit dangerous.  It has less sugar and more of that lovely, bitter flavor that comes from the cocoa bean.
​

Is It Good For Us?

Dark chocolate, at a minimum of 35% cacao, is better for you than milk chocolate since it is higher in cocoa content, which is a fabulous source of flavonoids, a special class of antioxidants. Dark chocolate contains significantly less carbohydrates as well. Milk chocolate usually has about 50 grams of carbs per 100g, while the amount of carbs in dark chocolate ranges from 8 to 35 carbs, depending on how dark it is.  Bonus:  dark chocolate is high in fiber, nearly 5 grams in a 1.5 oz. bar.
​

Theo Chocolate Pure Organic Dark Chocolate Bar, 70% Cacao, amazon.com

Green & Black's Organic Fairtrade Milk Chocolate Sea Salt, amazon.com

Milk Chocolate

Next, we have the classic and dependable milk chocolate. This type of chocolate was invented by the Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter in 1875, who added condensed milk to chocolate to create a smoother and creamier taste. Since then, milk chocolate has become a favorite of many Americans, with Hershey, Pennsylvania being the epicenter of milk chocolate production. In fact, Hershey's Chocolate World is a popular tourist attraction, where visitors can learn about the history of chocolate and see how it's made.
​

Why We Like It

​This type of chocolate is like your childhood best friend - it's sweet, comforting, and always there for you when you need a pick-me-up. Milk chocolate has a lower percentage of cocoa solids than dark chocolate, which gives it a smoother and creamier taste. It's the perfect treat for anyone who loves a touch of sweetness in their chocolate.
​

Is It Good For Us?

Because milk chocolate has a lower cocoa content, it doesn't offer as many benefits as its dark counterpart. It's often diluted with additional milk solids, sugar, and cream, and thus is higher in saturated fats that are prone to raise blood cholesterol levels.  It may even contain pesticides used in cocoa production.  Blech.

Bug spray notwithstanding, a recent study at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland concluded that individuals who ate mostly milk chocolate over an average of 11-ish years tended to have a lower risk of heart disease and stroke than other individuals that did not eat any chocolate at all.  As if that's not cause to eat more chocolate....
​

Milka Alpenmilch (German Milk Chocolate), 3-Pack, amazon.com

Lindt Excellence Extra Creamy Milk Chocolate, amazon.com

---

You May Also Like:

• ​​​Healthy Living: Foods For A Healthy Lifestyle
  
• What To Do When The Munchies Strike Late At Night

---

White...Chocolate?

And finally, we have the wildcard: white chocolate.  Some may argue that white chocolate isn't really chocolate; and to that I say...you're probably right.  White chocolate doesn't contain cocoa solids (during manufacture, the dark-colored solids of the cocoa bean are separated from its fatty content and the cocoa solids are not recombined).  But it is a blend of milk solids, milk fat, butter, cocoa butter and lecithin (a simple emulsifier).  While it might not be especially popular in the U.S., it is popular in countries like Australia and New Zealand, where it's often used in desserts like pavlova and lamingtons.​ 

Why We Like It

​This type of chocolate is like the rebel cousin of the chocolate world - it's unique, controversial, and definitely not for everyone. Because it's a blend of cocoa butter, sugar and milk, it has a creamy and buttery taste that some folks absolutely adore.  And love it or hate it, it's bound to wind up in someone's Easter basket this year!
​

Is It Good For Us?

When it comes to nutritional value, white chocolate falls a bit short compared to its darker counterparts. White chocolate contains 151 calories, 11 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 17 grams of carbohydrates, no fiber, and 1 gram of protein per 1-ounce square (source: Livestrong). And because of the ingredients it's comprised of, it's naturally higher in sugar and fat and lower in antioxidants.

Now, that's not to say that white chocolate is inherently bad for you - after all, everything in moderation, right? 
​

Original Milky Bar White Chocolate Pack imported from the UK, amazon.com

MILKBOY White Chocolate Bourbon Vanilla Bar, amazon.com

So Who Wins?

Because it contains higher levels of antioxidants and lower levels of sugar and fat compared to milk and white chocolate, dark chocolate wins this one, hands down.  Why?
​

1. Rich in antioxidants: Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants, which can help protect your cells against damage caused by free radicals. In fact, it contains more antioxidants than many other superfoods like blueberries and acai berries!
2. Can improve heart health: Studies have shown that consuming dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the heart. This is because the flavanols in dark chocolate can stimulate the production of nitric oxide, which helps to dilate blood vessels.
3. May boost brain function: The flavanols in dark chocolate may also help to improve cognitive function and memory. Some studies have even shown that eating dark chocolate can improve focus and attention.
4. Can improve mood: Who doesn't feel happy after eating some chocolate? Well, it turns out that dark chocolate can actually help to boost your mood too! This is because it contains phenylethylamine, which is a natural mood enhancer.
5. Can lower the risk of diabetes: Studies have shown that consuming dark chocolate can help to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Just remember, while dark chocolate does boast these amazing benefits, it's still high in calories (A 100g serving of dark chocolate typically contains around 600 calories, 12g of protein, 43g of fat) and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. 

Chocolate & Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

---

It's clear that chocolate is a beloved treat for many of us, no matter what kind we prefer. But when it comes to the nutritional benefits, it's hard to beat dark chocolate. From its high levels of antioxidants to its potential to improve heart health, brain function, mood, and even skin health, there are plenty of reasons to choose dark chocolate over milk or white chocolate. Of course, we should still enjoy all types of chocolate in moderation as part of a balanced diet, but when it comes to which one reigns supreme, dark chocolate takes the crown.

What kind of chocolate is your fave?  I love milk and dark--but ngl, those Hershey Kiss Hugs got me like whoa!

​*This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see our Disclosure Policy & Terms of Use.