Chocolate: The Next Weight Loss Tool?

Another reason to treat yourself to a piece of chocolate: A new study published in the journal Nutrition found that European kids who ate more chocolate also had a lower body mass index. So, more chocolate doesn't necessarily mean more fat.

Scientists examined the chocolate intake of 1,458 subjects age 12.5 to 17.5, and found that subjects who had more chocolate (42.6 grams a day versus 4.7 grams a day) actually had lower BMIs, regardless of sex, age, and other diet factors.

Of course, this doesn't mean dieters should let loose on chocolate willy-nilly; chocolate does have some health benefits, but these are strictly limited to dark chocolate, which has less fat and a higher cacao content. Flavanols, found in tea and red wine, are also in chocolate, and dark chocolate has been linked to lower blood sugar and lower "bad" cholesterol levels.

The researchers warn that the findings "should be taken, however, with caution, due to the cross-sectional nature of this study," but it seems Blake Lively might be living proof that chocolate does not, in fact, make you gain weight. In a recent interview with French Vogue, she claims to have a cup of hot chocolate every morning and a few squares of dark chocolate at night. "I do nothing! I'm lucky to have a very active lifestyle; I'm always running around everywhere... So I don't need to hire a coach or watch what I eat," she said.