Love chocolate, but want to eat healthy? Would you be surprised to learn you can have both?
While most chocolate milk is loaded with sugar and provides little nutritional benefit, you can use raw chocolate instead to satisfy a chocolate craving in a health conscious way with this healthy chocolate milk recipe.
It’s time to ditch the imposter, processed chocolate, and introduce raw chocolate into your diet. You’ve got nothing to lose but free radicals and a few pounds!
Why not give these little super beans the respect and attention they deserve?
Healthy Chocolate Milk Recipe | Nutrition Comparison
| Nutrition | BuiltLean Chocolate Milk | Nesquik (LowFat) Chocolate Milk | Hershey’s Chocolate Milk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories per serving (8oz.) | 93 | 170 | 270 |
| Fat | 4g | 2.5g | 4g |
| Saturated Fat | < 1g | 1.5g | 2.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 29g | 47g |
| Sugar | 1g | 28g | 44g |
| Fiber | 3g | < 1g | 2g |
| Protein | 3g | 8g | 13g |
*Nutrition data for the BuiltLean Chocolate Milk includes 1-tspn of an all-natural stevia sweetener.
Doesn’t take much to notice the startling differences in the nutrition comparison between BuiltLean Chocolate Milk and the commercial chocolate milks. Significantly lower in calories, saturated fat, and carbohydrates, BuiltLean Chocolate Milk is practically sugar free.
Replacing dairy with almond milk significantly cuts down the calories, eliminates the cholesterol, and is safe for those with lactose intolerance or gluten allergies. A rich source of calcium, almond milk is also a good source of magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, vitamin E and vitamin D.
Processed chocolate used in most commercial chocolate milk adds unnecessary sugar and fat, and doesn’t have the powerful antioxidant components in raw cacao beans.
Using raw chocolate, you benefit from its impressive nutrient panel, all linked to lower blood pressure, improved circulation, promoted cardiovascular function and health, neutralization of free radicals, improved digestion, and enhanced physical and mental well-being.
Healthy Chocolate Milk Recipe | Ingredients
- – 1-2 Tablespoons of Ground Raw Cacao Beans (affiliate link) (~6-10 beans ground)
- – 8 oz of unsweetened vanilla Almond Milk
- – Ground Cinnamon to taste
- – 1 pinch of nutmeg
- – 1 Teaspoon of honey, agave nectar, or stevia all-natural sweetener
- – A touch of Vanilla Extract
Healthy Chocolate Milk Recipe | Preparation Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients in a small pot on the stovetop. Bring mixture to a simmer.
2. Give the mixture a light stir until the ingredients blend together, and your honey or chosen sweetener dissolves throughout.
3. Transfer your Raw Hot Chocolate Milk into your favorite mug and enjoy!
Quick Tips: Feel free to try a cold version of this raw chocolate milk. If you like the bitter, earthy taste of raw chocolate, you won’t be disappointed. Afraid this drink may not be sweet enough for your taste buds? Try using flavored almond milk, or naturally sweetened almond milk—this will increase the sugar count , but will still fall well below the count you’ll find on your supermarket shelf.
With this recipe, there’s no need to deprive yourself of this classic beverage. You can try it next time you crave a chocolate drink: swapping the high-calorie & high-sugar processed chocolate milk for this healthy version will help you stay lean while reaping the benefits of raw cacao!
Thanks for sharing this recipe, Jessica. I gotta try it! Also love the photos you took.
Can you, please, stop this pop-up?
It’s really annoying!
I agree with you !!
Hey Carlos, apologize about this issue. As i just wrote to Carlos, I changed some of the setting so you should only see the pop up once per computer every few months. If you keep on seeing it, or even multiple times on the same session, please let me know.
Hi Marco, we were testing a pop up box and there seemed to be a couple glitches. You should have only seen it a total of 3 times and never more than once in session.
I just changed the setting so the pop up box should only show up once every few months assuming you are using the same computer. If you use different computers, it should show up once per computer every few months. I appreciate you letting me know about the issue and if you keep on getting the same pop up, please let me know!
Is it really necessary to spend a lot more money on almond milk if you don’t have any issues with regular milk?
Looks delicious, but a bit unpractical (no access to beans, for instance)
Thanks for the recipe anyways, I’ll try it someday.
Emilia, great question! There are many great properties of almond milk beyond the fact that it is lactose-free.
Calories: Whole cow’s milk > almond milk
Fat: Whole cow’s milk > almond milk
Saturated fat: Whole cow’s milk > almond milk (zero)
Cholesterol: Whole cow’s milk > almond milk (zero)
Taking this into consideration, almond milk is better for people on a diet and healthier for individuals with cardiovascular issues. In addition, the type of protein provided in cow’s milk is said to promote inflammation and congestion in some individuals.
Check out this great article for additional information: http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/the-healthier-choice-almond-milk-vs-milk.html
Although almond milk is my personal choice for the reasons stated above, you can certainly replace almond milk in this recipe with another type of non-dairy (soy or rice milk) or dairy milk… =) let us know how it turns out if you do!!
Jessica I have a quick question even though I am only 15, my mom buys organic must of the time, but when I’m older I can buy my own food but for now I can’t.
Are you saying to be all natural food, or organic food?
And should you go to the all natural food store or a grocery store like stop and shop?
Looks good and good article!!!!
I read somewhere that chocolate milk is good to drink after a workout, specifically 2%? I’m a HUGE 2% milk drink and hersheys. I think it’s literally the only thing I drink that wouldn’t be considered on a diet. Will it really hold me back from getting lean? I LOVE chocolate milk. In other words, do I HAVE to give up what I usually drink for this substitute (which I will try for sure, I’m open minded)
@Anthony – Chocolate milk post-workout can be fine, but it’s likely not ideal. You can check out my post-workout article and the comment section for more information => Post-Workout Meal
@Anthony – To add a little more information, I did a post workout Q&A with men’s fitness and your question about chocolate milk was raised. Overall, that should be fine as a post workout drink, but I wouldn’t go overboard with the chocolate because milk has sugar in it already. In addition, keep in mind the calorie count is what’s key, so you need to budget in the calories as well. Ideally, a whole food meal, or even quick whey protein shake with some fruit would likely be a better option. We all have “non-negotiables”, those things we can’t live without.