It’s feeling a bit chilly out there and we can’t help but think about gigantic mugs of warming hot chocolate.

The thing is that these mugs of loveliness that you order from a cafe or service station are usually full of sugars, carbs and of course calories and that is even before you think about adding whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles or marshmallows.  

Costa Christmas Drinks
Oh don’t they look pretty? The Christmas Drinks menu at Costa marks the start of the festive season for some: www.costa.co.uk/christmas/

 

 

 

Costas Billionaire Hot Chocolate with whole milk – medium – Drinking in. 

Nutrition per portion

Calories: 528, Carbs: 62.6g, of which sugars: 51.6g, Fat: 24.4g, Protein: 12.9g

Now if you are focussing on your nutrition and calculating your macros that is a majorly indulgent and wreckless treat for a single drink.

There are obviously a few things you can do when ordering treats from high street cafes and restaurants.

  • Order your drink in a smaller size
  • Request skimmed milk (or nut milk) instead of whole milk instead
  • Instead of adding granulated sugar, ask for a sugar-free sweetener or a sugar-free syrup.
  • Don’t add marshmallows and/or cream or if you can’t resist, request less!

Drinking Hot chocolate at home 

Cadbury's Instant Hot Chocolate
Enjoy the Cadbury’s taste at home in an instant www.cadbury.co.uk/products/cadbury-hot-chocolate-instant-11688

Cadbury’s Instant Hot Chocolate 

A 28g serving with 200mls hot water

Calories: 120, Carbs: 19.6g, of which sugars: 16.5g, Protein: 2.18g

Both options are easy and convenient and we can’t deny pretty tasty especially if you have a sweet tooth.

However, we do recommend that you attempt to make this healthier and more nutritious hot chocolate at home. The warming effects are equally enjoyable without the mad sugar rush!

Healthy Hot Chocolate
Healthy Hot Chocolate with immune boosting and antioxidant-rich ingredients

This hot chocolate recipe is full of ingredients that are immune-boosting and antioxidant-rich this is a hot chocolate recipe you can enjoy without the guilt.

Calories: 256 , Carbs: 17.7g , Fat: 24g

Ingredients:

250ml non-dairy milk of choice (e.g almond, coconut)

2 T raw cacao (or cocoa powder)

1/4 tsp ground turmeric

1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon

1 T raw honey (or more to taste) 

How to make:

  1. Add milk to a medium-sized sauce pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Lower to a simmer and add the cacao powder and stir.
  3. Add turmeric and cinnamon and continue to stir.
  4. Stir in honey until well combined.
  5. Add coconut oil and whip in until all chunks are melted and mixture becomes thick.
  6. Serve immediately and enjoy.

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