Chocolate Milk Nutrition Facts

Chocolate milk is delicious and is enjoyed by almost everyone, irrespective of the time of the day, or the age of the person consuming it. We had it as kids, and till date, we find ourselves sneaking into the kitchen in the middle of the night to prepare this ever-so-comforting drink, either steaming hot or chilled. Yes, chocolate milk can be fattening, but it is also quite healthy if you delve into details beyond the calories. Of course you have to ensure that you don't consume it in excess. Finally! There is something that tastes good and is healthy too! So what can you expect from drinking chocolate milk regularly (not in excess)? Take a look.

Nutritional Information

Given below are the nutritional information of 1 cup (250 grams) of hot chocolate milk (homemade), as per the USDA, where:

• g = grams
• mg = milligrams
• mcg = micrograms
• IU = International Units

Nutrient	Value
Calories	192
Carbohydrate	26.85 g
Sugars	24.15 g
Lactose	11.57 g
Protein	8.8 g
Fat	6 g
Calcium	285 mg
Iron	1.05 mg
Magnesium	58 mg
Potassium	492 mg
Phosphorus	262 mg
Sodium	110 mg
Fluoride	7.8 mcg
Selenium	6.8 mcg
Vitamin A	440 IU
Vitamin C	0.5 mg
Vitamin D	100 IU
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	0.5 mg
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)	0.1 mg
Vitamin B12	1.1 mcg
Folate	12.5 mcg
Cholesterol	20 mg

Health Benefits

As you can see, chocolate milk has a lot of nutrition to offer with protein, calcium, and phosphorus being the nutrients of highest values in this drink. While the health benefits of chocolate and milk have been studied separately, recent research conducted on the benefits of both combined have provided the following results:

• Chocolate milk is known to provide a good amount of energy needed to kick start the day. Make it a part of your breakfast and see how you feel energized throughout. Of course, you must ensure that you are having a balanced breakfast and not a high calorie one or you will end up feeling tired and sluggish, not to mention the weight gain that will ensue thereafter.
• Recent research has shown that low-fat chocolate milk is the ideal post-workout drink that helps restore damaged and worn out muscle tissue. A glass consumed within fifteen minutes of a workout will give the body enough protein to develop the muscle that has been broken down in the process of a workout.
• Drinking chocolate milk after a workout also helps reduce the fatigue that the entire workout causes. So if you happen to work out in the morning and rush for work, a glass of chocolate milk can help reduce some of the tiredness the entire process brings about.
• A glass of warm chocolate milk before bed can send you off into a relaxing sleep as it contains tryptophan, an amino acid that is known to relax the body and reduce stress.
• The darker the chocolate used to prepare this drink is, the healthier your body will remain. You will be at a lower risk of developing cardiovascular and other diseases as dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants that keep the immune system healthy.

Remember, just because there are so many benefits of drinking chocolate milk, it doesn't mean you keep drinking it in uncontrolled amounts. As mentioned earlier, a glass with breakfast in a day is sufficient to keep you healthy. It is best to make the chocolate milk at home as commercial products may contain larger amounts of sugar. Also, if you are already adding chocolate to the drink, avoid adding sugar to it to keep your calorie intake under control. Enjoy this drink with low-fat or skimmed milk fortified with calcium for better health benefits; one cup a day and you will definitely find yourself healthier.

Disclaimer: The nutritional value of chocolate milk indicated in this article may vary based on several factors such as type of chocolate and milk used to prepare it. The health benefits mentioned are for informative purposes only, and will be most effective when this drink is consumed along with a healthy balanced diet and a good amount of exercise. Keep your current health condition in mind before adding chocolate milk to your diet. Consult a certified nutritionist or your doctor for the best advice.