Could You Give Up Chocolate?

More than two-fifths of Brits confess to being chocoholics, and as many as 45 percent would really struggle to give up chocolate if push came to crunch.

Dechox is a new campaign from the British Heart Foundation that is running throughout March. The charity is aiming to unite chocoholics to give up chocolate for 31 days during March to raise money for ground-breaking research into heart and circulatory diseases, as well as helping to improve the health of those who take part by promoting healthier snacking. It is ideal for those looking for a challenge for Lent, by taking part in Dechox you can give something up whilst also helping others.

Combat chocolate cravings

Giving up chocolate and sweet treats can be a great way to improve health and is very important for those with specific conditions such as diabetes. These tips from the British Heart Foundation can help beat your cravings and survive the Dechox challenge:

• Drink a glass of water - This will help to fill up and quash those sugary urges.
• Go for a walk - Head outside for a stroll and distract yourself from all things sweet.
• Chew sugar-free gum - Low-calorie and inexpensive. It will help keep your teeth and gums healthy too.
• Try something citrus - A bitter taste can overwhelm sugar cravings! We find lemon water works well.
• Keep fruit handy - Having a piece of fruit when those cravings hit means you’ll get some nutrients along with your sweet fix.
• Eat regularly - Long gaps between meals may make you want to reach for sugary, chocolatey foods.

Can I travel with a heart condition?

Having a heart condition certainly should not stop you enjoying a holiday. Most people with heart conditions should be fine to travel, just as long as they feel well and their GP agrees their condition is stable and under control, because the last thing you want is to run into any issues whilst you should be having a relaxing time on holiday.

You should always plan in advance to reduce the risk of running into problems – Dr Sarah Jarvis has put together her top tips for travelling with a heart condition.

Can I get travel insurance for travelling with a heart condition or diabetes?

Many people might assume that having a heart condition or diabetes can make it difficult to get travel insurance, but this is not the case – Medical Travel Compared can help you. With us, you can compare specialist cover from lots of providers that have tailored policies for those living with heart conditions and diabetes. Standard travel insurance policies will usually include medical coverage, but this is unlikely to provide cover for any pre-existing health conditions, so it’s important to find a policy that will.