We shall see and compare chocolate milk nutrition facts of homemade and other branded chocolate milk beverages to help you make a better beverage for you.
Chocolate milk, also called cocoa milk, is a delicious brew you can have any time throughout the year. It is made up of mixing chocolate powder (also called cocoa powder) with cow milk or soy milk.
In winter you can mix cocoa with hot milk to make a hot chocolate. In scorching summer, you can soothe your senses by making cold Chocolate milk. In either form, the chocolate milk is tasty, nutritious, and refreshing.
Why is chocolate milk better than white milk?
Chocolate milk is a combination of milk and cocoa powder that are independently good nutrition foods. The chocolate milk is hence packed with nutrients and brings the best of both cocoa and milk. You get the goodness of milk along with the antioxidants of cocoa beans. Many experts believe having chocolate milk is better than white milk. No matter what your age, it’s a nice way to increase your nutrition without packing on the pounds.
However, with varying combinations of ingredients and the addition of sugar, there is variance in the chocolate milk nutritional values available in the market. This article shall focus on comparing homemade and market chocolate milk nutrition facts and will also tell you how you can further improve chocolate milk nutrition at home to suit your protein or weight loss requirements.
Health Benefits of Chocolate milk nutrition
Chocolate was called the Food of Gods in Mayan civilization. It was known for its antioxidant effects, anti-inflammatory well as antitumor activities [PMID: 26355019]. Mixing it with milk provides several health benefits if taken with less or no sugar. This way you can restrict the calories of your beverage without compromising its health benefits.
Chocolate milk is protein-rich
Chocolate milk is high in protein, too, which makes it very satisfying as a snack or on its own. Protein provides many of the amino acids that we need to maintain our health. Plain chocolate milk with mild sweetener may provide around 7.5 grams of protein. You can further increase protein content by adding sugar-free protein powder
Chocolate milk is packed with nutrients
The drink is full of calcium, iron, and potassium, as well as a host of vitamins and minerals. That means that it is beneficial for those who have nutritional deficiencies. High blood pressure patients and heart disease sufferers benefit from the potassium found in milk, too.
Chocolate milk contains antioxidants
Cocoa powder is made from ground cocoa beans, which are very high in antioxidants and boasts a host of other health benefits. It contains a wealth of flavonoids and antioxidants that help protect the body from the destructive effects of free radicals and also prevents cell mutation that results in genetic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
Chocolate milk may reduce blood pressure
Chocolate is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects. Consuming chocolate drinks improves the bioavailability of nitric oxide is improved when you consume the chocolate drink. This effect improves the fluidity of blood, reduces blood pressure, and improves platelet function [PMID: 24362474]. This finding provides strong evidence for the idea that cocoa consumption can reduce cardiovascular risk factors.
In a randomized controlled trial involving just below 300 people were studied for the effect of cocoa products on their blood pressure for a period between 2 weeks to 4 and half months. The high quantity of flavanols in cocoa helped to reduce both systolic and diastolic BP [PMID: 19910929].
Chocolate improves insulin sensitivity
Cocoa and flavanols reduce the rate of digestion and absorption of carbohydrate digestion in the gut. It also improves insulin sensitivity by controlling glucose transport as well as insulin signaling proteins in the liver, adipose tissues, thus preventing oxidation and inflammation, and associated damage. This may contribute to or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes [PMID: 26824673].
Chocolate milk for weight Management
In addition, cocoa powder is rich in fiber and has other beneficial effects including improved digestion, reduced risk of gall bladder disease, and enhanced circulation. These and many other health benefits make cocoa powder an ideal add-on to any healthy diet, whether one is trying to lose weight or improve cardiovascular health [PMID: 21495725]
Cancer
One of the antioxidants in the cocoa powder that is effective in combating oxidative stress is “flavonoid.” Oxidative stress is a major factor in the aging process and contributes to the development of several types of cancer [PMID: 12608775]. Flavonoids can be found in abundance in dark chocolate, chocolate milk as well as many other foods containing cocoa.
Studies have been reported that chocolate intake demonstrated anti-proliferative effects against cancer cells [PMID: 11741742] and defeats cancer tumorigenesis associated with colitis [PMID: 26355019].
Reducing cholesterol levels
Consumption of dark chocolate has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels. Clinical trials on over 300 participants up to 3 months have shown a significant reduction of LDL and total cholesterol levels [PMID: 21559039].
How to make chocolate milk?
The rocket science of making chocolate involves mixing milk and chocolate in proper proportion, stirring it to make a refreshing drink. You can have chocolate milk in different ways in both cold and hot cow milk (or soy milk with limited heating)
- Purchase market brand of chocolate milk
- Adding sweetened chocolate syrup to milk
- Melting dark chocolate and mixing with milk with or without sugar
- Adding cocoa powder with milk with or without sugar
- Adding protein powder with chocolate milk
With the availability of soya milk, chocolate milk is no longer restricted to lactose-intolerant people. People with lactose intolerance can have soya milk chocolate.
If you are buying chocolate milk from the market, you better watch the chocolate milk nutrition facts of the brand before you pick it from the shelf, as the sugar and ingredients in the beverage vary among manufacturers.
Further, if you have calories restrictions or diabetes, flavored chocolate milk is out of your diet plan.
It is however better to make chocolate milk at home as you can control the nutrition and sweetness of your beverage.
Here are some chocolate milk nutrition facts to make that decision. We are comparing branded chocolate milk nutrition facts with homemade chocolate milk nutrition facts.
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Homemade chocolate milk nutrition facts
Serving size – 200 ml chocolate milk with 1 tsp sugar.
Homemade chocolate milk macros
a. Calories in Homemade chocolate milk – 177.05 kCal, which is 8.85 % of the daily value for RDA of 2000 kCal,
b. Proteins in Homemade chocolate milk – 7.5 gm, that is 10.00 % of the daily value for RDA of 75 gm i.e. 15 % of calories. Protein forms 16.94 % of the calories of Homemade chocolate milk.
c. Carb in Homemade chocolate milk – 17.77 gm, around 6.46 % of the daily value for RDA of 275 gm i.e. 55 % of calories. Carbs form 40.15 % of the calories of Homemade chocolate milk.
d. Fats in Homemade chocolate milk – 9.65 gm, approximately 14.47 % of the daily value for RDA of 66.67 gm i.e. 30 % of calories. Fats form 49.05 % of the calories of Homemade chocolate milk.
e. The fiber in Homemade chocolate milk – 1.85 gm, nearly 4.87 % of the daily value for RDA of 38 gm,
f. Soluble Fiber – 0 gm, roughly 0.00 % of the daily value for RDA of 10 gm,
g. Total Free Sugar – 9.87 gm, which is 16.45 % of the daily value for RDA of 60 gm,
Vitamins in Homemade chocolate milk
a. Vitamin A – 118.78 mcg, roughly 13.20 % of the daily value for RDA of 900 mcg,
b. Vitamin B1 – 0.06 mg, almost 5.00 % of the daily value for RDA of 1.2 mg,
c. Vitamin B2 – 0.23 mg, which is 17.69 % of the daily value for RDA of 1.3 mg,
d. Vitamin B3 – 0.27 mg, that is 1.69 % of the daily value for RDA of 16 mg,
e. Vitamin B6 – 0.09 mg, around 6.92 % of the daily value for RDA of 1.3 mg,
f. VitaminB7 – 3.96 mcg, almost 13.20 % of the daily value for RDA of 30 mcg,
g. Vitamin B9 – 15.66 mcg, approximately 3.92 % of the daily value for RDA of 400 mcg,
h. Vitamin B12 – 0 mcg, nearly 0.00 % of the daily value for RDA of 2.4 mcg,
i. Vitamin C – 4.02 mg, roughly 10.05 % of the daily value for RDA of 40 mg,
j. Vitamin D – 0.24 mcg, almost 4.80 % of the daily value for RDA of 5 mcg,
k. Vitamin E – 0.45 mg, which is 30.00 % of the daily value for RDA of 1.5 mg,
l. Vitamin K – 0.13 mcg, that is 0.11 % of the daily value for RDA of 120 mcg,
Minerals in Homemade chocolate milk
a. Calcium – 242.45 mg, around 24.25 % of the daily value for RDA of 1000 mg,
b. Phosphorus – 229.82 mg, approximately 32.83 % of the daily value for RDA of 700 mg,
c. Iron – 0.99 mg, nearly 12.38 % of the daily value for RDA of 8 mg,
d. Magnesium – 41.53 mg, roughly 10.38 % of the daily value for RDA of 400 mg,
e. Copper – 250 mcg, almost 27.78 % of the daily value for RDA of 900 mcg,
f. Manganese – 0.02 mg, which is 0.87 % of the daily value for RDA of 2.3 mg,
g. Molybdenum – 0 mcg, that is 0.00 % of the daily value for RDA of 45 mcg,
h. Zinc – 1 mg, around 9.09 % of the daily value for RDA of 11 mg,
i. Chromium – 0 mcg, approximately 0.00 % of the daily value for RDA of 35 mcg,
j. Selenium – 2.62 mcg, nearly 4.76 % of the daily value for RDA of 55 mcg,
k. Cholesterol – 30 mg, that is 120.00 % of the daily value for RDA of 25 mg,
l. Potassium – 306.3 mg, around 6.52 % of the daily value for RDA of 4700 mg,
m. Sodium – 52.02 mg, approximately 3.47 % of the daily value for RDA of 1500 mg,
n. Omega 3 – 63.04 mg, nearly 10.51 % of the daily value for RDA of 600 mg,
o. Omega 6 – 454.56 mg, roughly 75.76 % of the daily value for RDA of 600 mg
Hershey’s chocolate milk nutrition facts
Serving size – 200 ml tetra pack, sweetened
Hershey's Chocolate milk macros
a. Calories in Hershey’s Chocolate milk – 170.32 kCal, which is 8.52 % of the daily value for RDA of 2000 kCal,
b. Proteins in Hershey’s Chocolate milk – 4.38 gm, that is 5.84 % of the daily value for RDA of 75 gm i.e. 15 % of calories,
c. Protein forms 10.29 % of calories of Hershey’s Chocolate milk
d. Carb in Hershey’s Chocolate milk – 28.92 gm, around 10.52 % of the daily value for RDA of 275 gm i.e. 55 % of calories,
e. Carbs form 67.92 % of the calories of Hershey’s Chocolate milk
f. Fats in Hershey’s Chocolate milk – 4.124 gm, approximately 6.19 % of the daily value for RDA of 66.67 gm i.e. 30 % of calories,
g. Fats form 21.79 % of the calories of Hershey’s Chocolate milk
h. The fiber in Hershey’s Chocolate milk – 0 gm, nearly 0.00 % of the daily value for RDA of 38 gm,
i. Total Free Sugar – 20 gm, which is 33.33 % of the daily value for RDA of 60 gm,
Vitamins in Hershey's Chocolate milk
a. Vitamin A – 113 mcg, roughly 12.56 % of the daily value for RDA of 900 mcg,
b. Vitamin B1 – 0.4 mg, almost 33.33 % of the daily value for RDA of 1.2 mg,
c. Vitamin B2 – 0.4 mg, which is 30.77 % of the daily value for RDA of 1.3 mg,
d. Vitamin B12 – 0 mcg, nearly 0.00 % of the daily value for RDA of 2.4 mcg,
e. Vitamin D – 2 mcg, almost 40.00 % of the daily value for RDA of 5 mcg,
f. Vitamin E – 1 mg, which is 66.67 % of the daily value for RDA of 1.5 mg,
g. Zinc – 4 mg, around 36.36 % of the daily value for RDA of 11 mg,
Sofit Soya chocolate milk nutrition facts
Serving size – 200 ml tetra pack, sweetened
Sofit Soya chocolate milk macros
a. Calories in Sofit Soya chocolate milk – 161.8 kCal, which is 8.09 % of the daily value for RDA of 2000 kCal,
b. Proteins in Sofit Soya chocolate milk – 6.4 gm, that is 8.53 % of the daily value for RDA of 75 gm i.e. 15 % of calories,
c. Protein forms 15.82 % of calories of Sofit Soya chocolate milk
d. Carb in Sofit Soya chocolate milk – 24.6 gm, around 8.95 % of the daily value for RDA of 275 gm i.e. 55 % of calories,
e. Carbs form 60.82 % of calories of Sofit Soya chocolate milk
f. Fats in Sofit Soya chocolate milk – 3.4 gm, approximately 5.10 % of the daily value for RDA of 66.67 gm i.e. 30 % of calories,
g. Fats form 18.91 % of calories of Sofit Soya chocolate milk
h. The fiber in Sofit Soya chocolate milk – 2.42 gm, nearly 6.37 % of the daily value for RDA of 38 gm,
i. Soluble Fiber – 0 gm, roughly 0.00 % of the daily value for RDA of 10 gm,
j. Total Free Sugar – 21 gm, which is 35.00 % of the daily value for RDA of 60 gm,
Vitamins in Sofit Soya chocolate milk
a. Vitamin A – 103 mcg, roughly 11.44 % of the daily value for RDA of 900 mcg,
b. Vitamin B1 – 0.18 mg, almost 15.00 % of the daily value for RDA of 1.2 mg,
c. Vitamin B2 – 0.23 mg, which is 17.69 % of the daily value for RDA of 1.3 mg,
d. Vitamin B12 – 0.15 mcg, nearly 6.25 % of the daily value for RDA of 2.4 mcg,
e. Vitamin E – 2.25 mg, which is 150.00 % of the daily value for RDA of 1.5 mg,
f. Vitamin K – 0 mcg, that is 0.00 % of the daily value for RDA of 120 mcg,
Minerals in Sofit Soya chocolate milk
a. Calcium – 240 mg, around 24.00 % of the daily value for RDA of 1000 mg,
b. Magnesium – 62.6 mg, roughly 15.65 % of the daily value for RDA of 400 mg,
c. Zinc – 0.38 mg, around 3.45 % of the daily value for RDA of 11 mg,
d. Omega 3 – 220 mg, nearly 36.67 % of the daily value for RDA of 600 mg,
e. Omega 6 – 1600 mg, roughly 266.67 % of the daily value for RDA of 600 mg
Summary
Overall chocolate milk is a good choice for a healthy life. However, it is better to control the sugar content and adding more cocoa which can boost its nutritional values. This flexibility is not available in branded products. So, you must watch for the chocolate milk nutrition facts of the brand before buying.
With homemade chocolate milk, you can, as required eliminate or control sugar and increase the cocoa content which will restrict calories and provide more flavanols. You can further increase the protein content by adding all plant protein powder available in the markets.
