For those among us who are conscious of their health, choosing the right chocolate can be a difficult endeavour. The same goes for regular chocolate eaters who are trying to turn over a healthier leaf in 2026.

Dr Saurabh Sethi, California-based gastroenterologist trained in AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford Universities, took to Instagram on January 26 to offer helpful insight in such situations. He rated seven different types of chocolate on a scale of 10, with the 10 being the healthiest it can be, to help us find our sweet spot between health and indulgence before making the purchase.

The types of chocolates are presented as follows:

1. Dark chocolate (at least 70 percent)

Score: 9/10
This is the grown-up, emotionally stable chocolate. Low in sugar, rich in flavonoids, and genuinely good for the heart and brain. You can give this to your health-conscious friend who reads ingredient labels, your gym-going partner who still wants dessert or someone you admire and want to impress quietly.

Translation: “I want you to live long and think clearly.”

2. Milk chocolate

Score: 4/10
Creamy, nostalgic, and comforting. But let’s be honest, it’s mostly sugar with a cocoa accent. Fine once in a while, not a daily love language. You can give this to someone who loves comfort over complexity, your childhood best friend and anyone who says, “Dark chocolate is too bitter for me”.

Translation: “I know what you like, and I didn’t overthink it.”

3. Milk chocolate-covered nuts

Score: 6/10
The nuts help slow down the sugar rush, so it’s a slightly more responsible version of milk chocolate; like wearing sneakers instead of heels. You can give this to someone who wants to be healthy but isn’t there yet, the friend who snacks “strategically” or a colleague you want to gift safely.

Translation: “I care, but not enough to lecture you.”

4. White chocolate

Score: 1/10
This is basically sugar and cocoa butter pretending to be chocolate. No antioxidants. No cocoa solids. Just a block of sweetness. You can give this to your bro who openly hates dark chocolate, a person who lives for sweetness and drama or someone who likes niche things just to stand out.

Translation: “I love you, even though your taste is questionable.”

5. White chocolate-covered nuts

Score: 3/10
The nuts try to save the situation. They fail; but at least they tried. You can give this to someone who insists white chocolate is elite, the friend who wants some crunch with their sugar or someone who refuses to grow up.

Translation: “I hated buying this for you but here you go.”

6. Dark chocolate-covered nuts

Score: 10/10
The overachiever. Packed with polyphenols, fibre, protein, and healthy fats. This is the gold standard of chocolate. You can give this to your partner when you want to say “I care deeply”, your parents, yourself (especially yourself).

Translation: “I love you, I respect you, and I want you to live your best life.”

7. Ultra-processed filled chocolates

Score: 0/10
High sugar, refined oils, additives and mystery fillings. Tastes exciting, regrets arrive later. You can give this to someone you don’t like, office gift exchanges and situations where vibes > health.

Translation: “I don’t care as much but I still showed up.”