Recipes

Experience the Avocado Chocolate Mousse Magic! | Mental Health Recipes

By Krista

-

Last Updated: July 2, 2024

Jump to Recipe
Share This With Someone You Love!

Got a dessert craving?

Maybe you’re feeling chocolate… But you want a healthier side of it. Well, this avocado chocolate mousse has got you covered. It offers tons of healthy fats while also satisfying your sweet tooth. In fact, your friends won’t even know avocado is part of this recipe (that is… until you let them in on the secret!).

On top of the healthy twist on this dessert, it also caters to your mental health. Avocados and dark chocolate have tons to offer your brain and mood. So, let’s dig a bit deeper.

How can you make this yummy recipe?

What should you know about its nutrients and your mental well-being?

 

 

The Healthiest (And Tastiest) Chocolate Mousse

So, if there’s chocolate mousse on the menu, I’m likely ordering it. But here’s the thing: Regular ol’ (and yummy) chocolate mousse comes packed with tons of sugar. Now, sugar isn’t necessarily all bad. In fact, our brain uses glucose as its main source of energy.

But “everything in moderation” is actually very true. So, opting for this healthier variety once in a while isn’t a bad idea. Plus, it can help you obtain healthy fats that support your mood and mental well-being. This recipe is also ultra-easy to make; just make sure you prepare everything well before your guests arrive.

 

How Can This Chocolate Avocado Mousse Support Your Mental Health?

Yes, avocado and chocolate might not sound like a good combination. But I promise you, you won’t even notice the avocado. So, let’s go a level deeper. How do avocado and chocolate contribute to improved mental well-being? Here are a few insights.

 

Dark Chocolate Adds a Sweet Lift for Your Brain (And Mood)

Dark chocolate is jam-packed with flavonoids—potent antioxidants that can cross the blood-brain barrier. These compounds are thought to increase blood flow to the brain, which may help regulate mood and other cognitive functions.

In fact, dark chocolate is well-known for stimulating the release of endorphins (the body’s natural pain relievers and “feel good” chemicals). In turn, you aren’t just getting a quick dopamine hit from chocolate; you’re also releasing other chemicals that contribute to feeling good.

On top of the above, dark chocolate has also been shown to reduce stress (It’s no wonder we crave it when we’re feeling overwhelmed). 

And get this: There have even been studies performed comparing different types of chocolate and the body’s stress reactions. Scientists showed that those who consume dark chocolate before a stressful event actually had less stress.

Dark chocolate is also famously known for containing theobromine. Along with a bit of caffeine in chocolate, research indicates that the combination can help improve mood. In other words, when we’re feeling down and out and craving chocolate, it might be just what we need!

Related Article: Does Chocolate Make Everything Better? Try This Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal When You Feel Down

 

Avocado Brings the Healthy Fats!

Avocado is well-known as a superfood.

From avocado toast to guacamole, there are so many ways to enjoy this fruit. Most notably, avocados contain healthy fats called monounsaturated fats. These fats are essential for maintaining the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve fibers, facilitating efficient neural communication, and improving overall cognitive function.

Avocados are also an excellent source of vitamin K, which may help to prevent age-related cognitive decline. Avocados also provide a significant amount of folate, which is thought to play an important role in brain health. Adequate folate intake may help prevent depression.

On top of this, B vitamins, including folate, contribute to overall energy levels. Without ample B vitamins (which we need to obtain daily from our diet), we can feel tired and moody. 

Coming at it from another angle: The fiber and healthy fats in avocados help stabilize blood sugar levels, which can contribute to more consistent energy and mood throughout the day.

Related Article: Creamy Guacamole for Better Mental Health? | Mental Health Recipes

Share This With Someone You Love!

Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Prep time:
5 minutes
Cook time:
Total time:
2 hours and 10 minutes
Recipe Category:
avocado
Ingredients:
  • 4 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips (or 60% dark)
  • 2 ripe avocado
  • 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup of almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • ⅛ teaspoon of salt
  • 1-3 teaspoons of maple syrup
Instructions:
  1. Melt the chocolate on the stove or in the microwave. Go slow, though, as not to burn the chocolate. For instance, heat them up in the microwave at 15-second intervals, stirring in between each one.
  2. Cut the avocados in half and remove the pit. Add them to a blender and blend until smooth.
  3. Add the melted chocolate, cocoa powder, almond milk, vanilla extract, and salt to the blender and blend until smooth.
  4. Add your desired amount of maple syrup (blending after each teaspoon and tasting until it reaches your desired sweetness).
  5. Scoop into cups, then let them sit in the fridge for at least two hours. 
  6. Add whipped cream and strawberries, then serve!
Yield (servings):
4 servings

Feed Your Taste Buds and Your Mind

This avocado chocolate mousse fits the bill on all of the above. With plenty of beneficial plant compounds and nutrients, this is one indulgence you can feel good about. However, like anything else, moderation is key! 

Bring this mousse to a gathering or make it for dessert next time you host. We bet that your guests or friends will never know avocado is a major part of this recipe.

Read Next: Rise and Shine: The Mood-Boosting Magic of Chocolate Banana Overnight Oats | Mental Health Recipes

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

LATEST

Wake up to dailymotivation!


Get Motivational Quotes, Affirmations, and insightful content delivered to your inbox every morning!

Wake up to dailymotivation!


Get Motivational Quotes, Affirmations, and insightful content delivered to your inbox every morning!

>