Hot chocolate is a hot beverage enjoyed by people all across the world. But what most of us usually ignore is the calories in this beverage. This article gives you an insight about hot chocolate, its calorie content, and its nutritional facts.
Hot chocolate, also known as hot cocoa or just cocoa, is a hot beverage indulged by people of all age groups, especially kids. The beverage is made of shaved or melted chocolate buds, cocoa powder, hot milk or water, and sugar. It is a rich drink that has a velvety dark brown color and enticing chocolaty flavor. The drink is believed to have been originated by the Mayan people around 2000 years ago, which later became popular in Europe and until now, has undergone multiple changes. The thing about this beverage that hasn’t changed over the centuries is calories that the drinkers have to cope with. Today, it is a well savored drink all across the world and is available in multiple variations like the very thick cioccolata densa served in Italy, and the thinner hot cocoa commonly consumed in the United States.
Nutritional Facts
Being valued as a medicinal drink for centuries, it contains large amounts of antioxidants, substances that protect the body cells from free radicals. Research shows that chocolate beverages help to treat fever, stomach disorders, liver diseases, as well as some chest ailments. It also helps to fight or overcome anger and bad moods. Moreover, the flavonoids found in the cocoa also have a positive effect on arterial health. Studies show that high amounts of improvement have been observed in the blood flow after drinking a flavanol-rich cocoa beverage. This beverage also reduces the risks of having heart disease, as it shields the walls of blood vessels from free radicals.
Calories in Hot Chocolate
The calories mainly depend upon its serving size as well as the brand. Generally 1 cup of this beverage with whole milk contains 190 calories, while 1 cup without whole milk contains 150 calories. The table given below shows the calorie counts for different labels.
| Product | Taste/Texture | Calorie Count |
| Pleasure, Instant Hot Chocolate Drink, Options | It is a rich chocolate drink with a velvety brown color, which not only looks but also tastes great. | 68 (per 36 gm. sachet) |
| Caffe Latte, High Lights, Cadbury | It is a smooth, creamy and rich chocolate/coffee drink, having only 40 kcals a mug. | 40 (per 22 gm. sachet) |
| Chocolaty Ovaltine Light, Hi-Malt Instant Drink, Ovaltine | If you are a malt addict, you will surely love this chocolate malted drink from Ovaltine. It looks nice and has a flavorsome taste. | 72 (per 20g serving) |
| Instant Hot Chocolate Drink, Sainsbury’s | Though not as great as the above mentioned drinks, it is preferred by those who like mild chocolaty flavor. | 101 (per 28 gm. sachet) |
| Instant Hot Chocolate Drink, Good for You, Asda | This one has a pleasing chocolaty color, but with a watery consistency. | 101 (per 105 gm. serving) |
Calories in Hot Cocoa
The calories in cocoa mixes come basically from carbohydrate, sugar, corn syrup solids, or other simple sugars. Some cocoa mixes also contain non fat milk solids to boost calcium. However, the table given below shows hot cocoa calorie counts for different hot cocoa labels.
| Product | Taste/Texture | Calorie Count |
| Ah laska Organic Chocolate Cocoa (1 oz.) | It is made of organic ingredients and offer 8% daily value (DV) for calcium. | 100 |
| Hershey’s Hot Cocoa Collection French Vanilla (1.25 oz.) | It is partially hydrogenated and provides 100% of daily value (DV) for calcium. | 140 |
| Land O Lakes Cocoa Classics (1.25 oz.) | It offers 8% of daily value (DV) for calcium. | 150 |
| Mount Blanc Gourmet Hot Cocoa White Chocolate (1.2 oz.) | It provides 25% of daily value (DV) for calcium. | 150 |
| Nestle – Carnation No Sugar Added Hot Cocoa Mix (0.5 oz.) | It provides 30% of daily value (DV) for calcium and containers artificial sweetener with no added sugar. | 50 |
Though, it offers numerous health benefits, one can’t overlook the various side effects attributed to drinking hot chocolate. Being high in calories, saturated fat and sugar, consuming this beverage can lead to obesity and dental problems. However, by following a regular exercise routine and healthy lifestyle, one can surely enjoy and savor this hot drink and its nutritional benefits without bothering about the calories.