Don’t laugh! It’s crazy but true!

If you’re a caregiver to someone living with dementia, you’ve probably noticed something that feels oddly specific…

They may forget what day it is.
They may forget what they ate for breakfast.
They may forget where their shoes are (while they’re wearing them).

But chocolate?

They never forget chocolate.

And if your loved one lives with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) or another form of dementia, you might be wondering:

Why are they suddenly obsessed with sweets? Why does chocolate feel like a daily mission?

Friend… you are not imagining it. And you are definitely not alone.

Let’s talk about why dementia and chocolate cravings often go hand-in-hand.

The M&Ms, Reeses, Hersheys…
No chocolate is safe in our house.
I hide the holiday candy and dole it out a little bit at a time; even the kids’ candy!
When he’s “jonesing” for more, I have to ninja into the secret stash to give him a few.

The “Chocolate Fix” Is Surprisingly Common in Dementia

I laughed so hard when Dr. G told us about chocolate and dementia. My loved one is insane sometimes about, “Where’s the chocolate?” He’s hunting around in the kitchen, mumbling to himself about chocolate. Good thing I’m a pro about finding hiding places!

Here’ what’s been reported about chocolate obsession with people with dementia:

Craves chocolate constantly
Eats desserts first
Becomes fixated on candy or cookies
Searches cabinets like a detective on a sugar mission - or a crack addict!
Gets irritated or anxious when sweets aren’t available

This is especially common in:

Alzheimer’s Disease
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
Vascular Dementia
Parkinson’s-related dementia
Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)

And it can be baffling, because many of these individuals may not have been “sweet eaters” before.

So what changes?

Dementia Changes the Brain’s Reward System

Dementia doesn’t just affect memory, it affects how the brain processes pleasure, reward, and satisfaction.

Chocolate triggers dopamine, the “feel good” chemical.

And in a brain impacted by dementia, dopamine regulation is often disrupted. The brain begins searching for comfort, stimulation, and predictability - chocolate provides all three.

Chocolate becomes:

familiar
easy to eat
emotionally soothing
instantly rewarding

In short, it becomes a quick win in a world that feels increasingly confusing.

Taste and Smell Change … and Chocolate Still “Hits”

Many people with dementia experience changes in:

taste perception
smell perception
texture tolerance

Foods that used to taste great may suddenly taste bland, bitter, or “wrong.”

But chocolate?

Chocolate is strong-flavored, sweet, creamy, and aromatic.

Even when other foods lose their appeal, chocolate often still tastes “right.”

It’s one of the few foods that can cut through those sensory changes and deliver a recognizable experience.

Dementia Impacts Impulse Control

In many forms of dementia, the brain areas responsible for judgment and self-control become impaired, meaning:

They may not recognize “moderation” anymore
They may eat sweets repeatedly because they forget they already had them
They may have difficulty stopping once they start

This isn’t stubbornness.

This is brain chemistry and neurological change.

Chocolate May Help “Self-Regulate” Mood

Lewy Body Dementia can bring emotional changes that are hard for caregivers to manage, including:

sudden anxiety
agitation
depression
restlessness
irritability

And while chocolate isn’t medication, it can temporarily soothe.

Sugar and cocoa can create a calming effect for some individuals, almost like the brain is trying to self-medicate.

You may notice your loved one is more settled after a sweet treat.

That’s not random.

That’s their nervous system trying to cope.

So… Should You Let Them Eat Chocolate?

Here’s my honest Frazzled Caregiver answer:

Sometimes … yes.

Caregiving is a constant balancing act between what’s ideal and what’s realistic.

If chocolate brings comfort, reduces agitation, and makes the day smoother, that matters.

But there are a few things to keep in mind.

The Caregiver Concerns (Because of Course There Are)

Chocolate and sweets can create challenges, such as:

blood sugar spikes (especially with diabetes)
constipation
weight gain
disrupted sleep
increased agitation if they “crash” later
obsession and repetitive demands

And some people may become so fixated that it becomes a behavioral cycle:
craving → demand → reward → repeat.

A Frazzled Caregiver Reminder

If your loved one with dementia craves chocolate constantly, you are not failing.

You’re witnessing the brain searching for comfort in a world that no longer makes sense.

And you?

You’re doing the best you can in a situation that requires more patience, strength, and emotional stamina than anyone ever prepares you for.

So yes…

Buy the chocolate. Hide the chocolate. Ration the chocolate. Use the chocolate.

Just don’t feel guilty about the chocolate.

Because caregiving isn’t about perfection.

It’s about survival … with a little sweetness when you can get it.

— Sonya

Why People with Dementia Crave Chocolate: A Frazzled Caregiver Reality Check