Sports nutrition doesn’t have to be complicated—or bland. Chocolate, especially when made with functional ingredients like cocoa, coconut oil, and honey, offers a better-for-you way to fuel your movement, recover smarter, and keep energy levels steady. Whether you’re training for your first 10K, chasing PRs, or just squeezing in a quick workout between meetings and mom duties, chocolate can absolutely be part of your performance routine.
Chocolate + Sports Nutrition = A Winning Pair
Let’s get this out of the way first: you don’t have to give up chocolate to fuel like an athlete.
In fact, if you’re choosing the right kind (like what we use in our endurance bars), chocolate might just be the MVP of your snack drawer.
That’s because real cocoa—especially in dark chocolate—is loaded with flavanols, naturally occurring plant compounds that do more than just taste good. They’ve been shown to support circulation and oxygen delivery to muscles—both pretty handy when you’re in the middle of a sweat sesh.
Here's the science behind that.
Plus, the antioxidants in cocoa help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress after exercise, so your body can recover faster and get back to doing what it loves.
Coconut Oil: Creamy, Nourishing Energy
We love a good multitasker—and coconut oil delivers.
It’s full of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), a type of fat your body can use quickly for fuel (no crash, no bloat). Unlike longer-chain fats, MCTs are metabolized faster by your liver and give you that slow, sustaining energy athletes need—especially during long runs, hikes, or rides.
Think of it like a cozy fire that burns steadily in the background, keeping you warm and energized throughout your adventure.
Honey: Sweet Energy That’s Anything But Basic
Nature knew what it was doing when it made honey. It’s one of the oldest performance fuels in the book—used for centuries by endurance athletes before we even had a name for them.
Honey gives your body two things it loves:
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Quick fuel from natural sugars (ideal when you need a boost mid-effort), and
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Glycogen support post-workout, to help refill your tank and set you up for your next session.
Plus, honey contains small amounts of minerals and enzymes, making it a better-for-you sweetener than the refined stuff.
Here is how honey supports performance.
So, When Should You Eat Chocolate for Performance?
Honestly? There’s no wrong time to enjoy it—but here’s how we like to fit it into our training and everyday movement:
Before:
A bar with cocoa + honey gives you a balanced blend of carbs and fat to keep you fueled without weighing you down.
During:
When you’re deep into your hike, ski, or run and need a pick-me-up, a bite-sized chocolate snack hits the spot—and keeps your mood (and pace) up.
After:
Chocolate naturally contains magnesium, which supports muscle recovery and relaxation. Combined with honey and coconut butter, it helps replenish energy stores and reduce inflammation.
The 7 Summits Snacks Take
At 7 Summits Snacks, we believe fueling your body should feel good—and taste amazing. That’s why we use ingredients like ethically sourced cocoa, creamy coconut butter, and golden Canadian honey in our endurance bars.
Because we know you’re not just showing up for a workout—you’re showing up for yourself.
✨ You deserve fuel that works as hard as you do.
✨ You deserve real ingredients.
✨ You deserve chocolate.
Ready to Snack Like an Athlete?
Try our Endurance Bars made with the trifecta of cocoa, coconut butter, and honey—built for trail runners, power walkers, casual yogis, and everyone in between.
Because no matter where you are on your movement journey, you’re an athlete—and we’re here to fuel your next adventure.