National Milk Chocolate Day – July 28th.

Daniel Peter, the inventor of milk chocolate, was born in the village of Moudon, located in the Canton of Vaud, in beautiful, mountainous Switzerland in 1836. Later on in life in 1843 he formed a friendship with Henry Nestle who developed a process to make baby food which was called “milky flour”.

The development of the process to stay in the chocolate market and be desired by the consumer, Daniel Peter created products in this community of Vevey, with the Canton of Vaud, in Switzerland, and further pointed out that the first chocolate process, although not milk chocolate, was also created in Vevey, Switzerland, by Francois Louis Cailler, at the age of twenty-three

Research has found that National Milk Chocolate Day was started by the Confectioners Association.

Here at Home instead we are committed to ensuring we work with you to produce a personalised care plan, which can include grocery shopping or popping to a local store to get fresh ingredients, which sometimes can include lovely milk chocolate. Shopping, getting to local appointments and visiting friends are key to maintaining independence as we age.

With a little help from a Home Instead care professional, your loved ones can stay engaged in their community and live happy in their own home for a longer period of time.

From just one hour per day, our care professionals in Newport, Cwmbran and Chepstow provide companionship, personal care, medication reminders, light housekeeping and assistance with local shopping.

Some of the Benefits of Chocolate:

Chocolate, especially dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (70% or more), has been associated with several potential health benefits when consumed in moderation:

Rich in Antioxidants: Dark chocolate is a rich source of antioxidants, such as flavonoids and polyphenols, which help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body.

Many other foods high in antioxidants can be berries, nuts and vegetables.

Improved Heart Health: Some studies suggest that moderate chocolate consumption may be linked to a reduced risk of heart disease due to its positive effects on blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood flow.

Some foods to help with heart health can also include beans, pulses, fish and meat.

Mood Enhancement: Chocolate contains compounds like phenylethylamine and theobromine, which can promote the release of endorphins and serotonin in the brain, potentially improving mood and reducing stress.

Bananas and Oats are also fantastic to help with mood enhancement.

Brain Health: Cocoa may have positive effects on cognitive function and brain health, potentially improving memory and focus.

Turmeric, blueberries and fatty fish are in the top 5 listed foods to help with keeping your brain in peak working condition.

Skin Health: The antioxidants in chocolate may help protect the skin from damage caused by UV rays and improve overall skin hydration.

Lowered Diabetes Risk: Some studies have suggested that regular consumption of dark chocolate may be associated with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

However, it’s essential to consume chocolate in moderation, as it is also high in sugar and calories.

Although for some of our clients, we do go that extra mile with our wonderful team of helping hands to source alternative products should they be needed, for example diabetic chocolate.

If you’ve been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes you may be feeling overwhelmed. There’s a lot of information to take in and you may not be sure where to start. Even if you’ve been living with diabetes for a while you might still be unsure of the best ways to manage your diabetes.

Our Care professionals can help gather support and point you in the right direction, or attend any appointments you have, we give more support than just personal care.

One the best perks of one hour calls for our clients are understanding what they require to live as independently as possible at home, growing a strong trusting connection and also potentially cooking and baking together.