The best substitute for chocolate is carob. Carob is a naturally sweet, cocoa-like powder made from the pods of an evergreen Mediterranean shrub. Unlike chocolate, carob does not include caffeine or theobromine, making it a good choice for those sensitive to either stimulant. Carob also contains three times more calcium than cocoa and can be used in baking as a one-to-one substitution for cocoa powder. Additionally, carob is fat-free and has fewer calories than chocolate.