It seems that it sells “like hotcakes” … and that it would even be in dethroning Dubai chocolate. This regressive dessert at will is none other than the brand new chocolate pizza signed Picard. An ultra gourmet but questioned. Can we authorize it from a healthy point of view? Julie Boët, dietician-nutritionist, deciphers his composition for doctissimo.
Wheat flour, hazelnuts and chocolate
Should we fall for the “Calzone Al Nocciolato” of Picard? On the web, this product arouses contrasting reactions. On the one hand, its comforting side makes your mouth water, on the other, its richness in chocolate and sugar can arouse a certain guilt.
“As a dietician, it seems important to me to recall that no food is prohibited, and that this type of product can perfectly have its place in a balanced diet, provided you remain occasional and consumed in reasonable quantities”, Recalls Julie Boët. “”Pleasure is an integral part of a healthy relationship to food, and systematically deprive oneself of what makes us want often leads to counterproductive frustrations. Thus, a pizza with savored chocolate from time to time will have no negative impact on health if the overall balance of the food is respected “, she said.
Regarding its composition, said Calzone is made from a dough made from wheat flour and garnished with a Gianduja chocolate with hazelnuts.
“The interest of this garnish lies in the fact that it brings not only a very gourmet flavor, but also unsaturated fatty acids thanks to the presence of hazelnuts, as well as polyphenols from cocoa, known for their antioxidant properties”, recognizes the expert.
However, as for most chocolate products, the added sugar content is important, “This can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed alone. Chocolate also contains saturated fats, notably from cocoa butter, which, consumed regularly and in excess, can increase LDL cholesterol “, Note the dietician.
In the case of punctual consumption, these contributions do not pose a particular problem, “But you should be aware of it”, she recalls.
347 kcal on the clock
On the nutritional level, the portion proposed by Picard brings about 347 kcal. It is therefore a relatively dense energy product for a reduced volume.
“This makes it a food that can quickly bring a lot of calories without necessarily providing a lasting feeling of satisfaction. It does not mean that it should be avoided at all costs, but rather that it is necessary to think about how to intelligently integrate it into a meal or a snack in an occasional way”, underlines the specialist.
Finally, how to get the most out of this pizza?
Still according to the expert, it is better to consume said pizza at the end of an already balanced meal, “Including vegetables, a source of lean protein and possibly complete starchy foods with a low glycemic index preferably “.
Indeed, the presence of foods rich in fiber (vegetables) and protein “allows you to slow down the absorption of sugars and avoid a too marked glycemic peak“(which is the case, on the other hand, if you consume this pizza isolated in snack).
Despite everything, if a desire for chocolate appears on the shots of 4:00 p.m., “Remember to accompany this calzone with a fresh fruit or a plain dairy product, in order to bring vitamins, fibers and some additional proteins “, advises the nutritionist.
The question of portions is also central. “Eating the totality of a chocolate pizza for dessert can represent a high energy intake, especially after an already complete meal. On the other hand, sharing this pizza or consuming only a quarter allows you to take advantage of it while limiting excess. Finally, the frequency must remain occasional: it is a delicacy that is gaining in savored from time to time, rather than a food of everyday”, concludes Julie Boët.