Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHealth BenefitsNutritionUnhealthy TypesDairy-Free Options
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Health Benefits
Nutrition
Unhealthy Types
Dairy-Free Options
Chocolate milk is a popular drink because it offers a sweeter and more decadent taste than regular milk. It has also been touted as an excellent after-workout snack because of its nutrients and is recommended for children who don’t like milk but could benefit from the vitamins and minerals in milk.
Chocolate milk can be both healthy and unhealthy. That is because, although it contains high levels ofcalciumandvitamin D, which are vital for bone and overall health, it is also high in added sugar.
This article discusses the health score of chocolate milk and how to make the drink healthier so you can reap the rewards of consuming it without the harmful effects of excess sugar.
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Benefits: When Would Chocolate Milk Be Healthy?
Chocolate milk contains several nutrients that aid in different aspects of health. Vitamin D and calcium, which are found in high amounts in milk and other dairy products, are the most notable. These nutrients are vital for bone health.
Other health benefits associated with chocolate milk revolve around its nutrient content, which is:
Regular and chocolate milk contain similar nutrients. However, chocolate milk has added sugars and therefore more carbohydrates, making it potentially less healthy than regular milk.
Post-Workout Chocolate MilkDrinking chocolate milk, or protein chocolate milk, following a workout can aid in muscle recovery while restoring electrolytes. These benefits can improve your recovery time. However, the high sugar content of chocolate milk could stall weight loss efforts.
Post-Workout Chocolate Milk
Drinking chocolate milk, or protein chocolate milk, following a workout can aid in muscle recovery while restoring electrolytes. These benefits can improve your recovery time. However, the high sugar content of chocolate milk could stall weight loss efforts.
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Nutritional Value of a Single Serving of Chocolate Milk
A single serving of chocolate milk may vary depending on a person’s preference, but when looking at a typical serving of 473 mL, the nutritional content in chocolate milk is as follows:
These nutrient facts are for a specific brand of chocolate milk, but most store-bought nonorganic chocolate milk will has the same nutritional content.
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Which Types of Chocolate Milk Are Not as Healthy?
The unhealthiest chocolate milks contains a lot of added sugar. Most chocolate milk will be sweetened to offset the bitter taste of cocoa, but some contain higher sugar levels than others.
Some may also add high fructose corn syrup, which has been shown to increase the risk of chronic diseases such asdiabetesorobesity.
Added sugars can also increase the risk of:
Chocolate milk also contains lactose, which can cause gastrointestinal distress in people who arelactose intolerant, meaning their small intestine does not produce enough of the enzyme lactase to digest lactose (milk sugar). That said, an older study published in 2003 found that chocolate milk is one of the best dairy products to consume if lactose intolerant because it is better tolerated than unflavored milk.
Choosing the Right Chocolate MilkIf you want to drink chocolate milk for its health benefits, finding one with the least added sugars is best. That will provide you with the necessary nutrients without the added sugar.
Choosing the Right Chocolate Milk
If you want to drink chocolate milk for its health benefits, finding one with the least added sugars is best. That will provide you with the necessary nutrients without the added sugar.
Is Milk Bad for You?
Dairy-Free Chocolate Milk
Dairy-free products are popular because they are considered healthy options for people without nut sensitivities or allergies, especially for people with lactose intolerance. Many people also reach for dairy-free products if they arevegan,as they are safe to eat for people who do not consume animal or animal-based foods.
Nondairy chocolate milk is made with alternative milk products, such as:
These are entirely plant-based and contain zero lactose, so they are safe for those who avoid dairy for health and ethical reasons. Regarding the health score, lactose-free milk products often contain less fat and added sugars than their dairy counterparts.
They are also oftenfortified with many nutrients—more than what is found in traditional milk—to ensure that people still get the vitamins and minerals needed for overall health. It is important to note that, while fortified, brands may differ; so always read the label to see what is included or not included in your favorite nondairy chocolate milk.
Chocolate Milk and PregnancyMilk can be an excellent dairy option for those who are pregnant because it is safe to consume and contains many nutrients that aid in a healthy pregnancy. That said, chocolate milk should be consumed in moderation because the added sugar in this milk variety is not recommended during pregnancy. Low-fat and pasteurized chocolate milk is the best option, as pregnant people should not consume unpasteurized food products.
Chocolate Milk and Pregnancy
Milk can be an excellent dairy option for those who are pregnant because it is safe to consume and contains many nutrients that aid in a healthy pregnancy. That said, chocolate milk should be consumed in moderation because the added sugar in this milk variety is not recommended during pregnancy. Low-fat and pasteurized chocolate milk is the best option, as pregnant people should not consume unpasteurized food products.
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Summary
Chocolate milk can be both healthy and unhealthy based on its nutrient content. While the well-loved beverage is high in sugar, it also contains many vital nutrients that aid in overall health. Drinking chocolate milk is generally safe for most people, but it should be consumed in moderation because of its high sugar content.
If you want to enjoy chocolate milk without all the sugar, you can opt for low-sugar and nut-milk options that often have much less sugar than their dairy counterparts or make your own chocolate milk at home.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hidayat K, Chen JS, Wang TC, Liu YJ, Shi YJ, Su HW, Liu B, Qin LQ.The effects of milk supplementation on bone health indices in adults: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Adv Nutr.2022 Aug 1;13(4):1186-1199. doi:10.1093/advances/nmab136Xu ZR, Tan ZJ, Zhang Q, Gui QF, Yang YM.The effectiveness of leucine on muscle protein synthesis, lean body mass and leg lean mass accretion in older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Br J Nutr.2015 Jan 14;113(1):25-34. doi:10.1017/S0007114514002475Lunn WR, Pasiakos SM, Colletto MR, Karfonta KE, Carbone JW, Anderson JM, Rodriguez NR.Chocolate milk and endurance exercise recovery: protein balance, glycogen, and performance.Med Sci Sports Exerc.2012 Apr;44(4):682-91. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182364162den Hartigh LJ.Conjugated linoleic acid effects on cancer, obesity, and atherosclerosis: A review of pre-clinical and human trials with current perspectives.Nutrients.2019 Feb 11;11(2):370. doi:10.3390/nu11020370Moore DR.Nutrition to support recovery from endurance exercise: Optimal carbohydrate and protein replacement.Curr Sports Med Rep.2015 Jul-Aug;14(4):294-300. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000180UAMS Health.Is chocolate milk a good post-workout drink?Sealtest.1% chocolate milk nutrition.Hattori H, Hanai Y, Oshima Y, Kataoka H, Eto N.Excessive intake of high-fructose corn syrup drinks induces impaired glucose tolerance,Biomedicines.2021 May 12;9(5):541. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9050541Rippe JM, Angelopoulos TJ.Relationship between Added Sugars Consumption and Chronic Disease Risk Factors: Current Understanding.Nutrients.2016 Nov 4;8(11):697. doi:10.3390/nu8110697Järvinen RM, Loukaskorpi M, Uusitupa MI.Tolerance of symptomatic lactose malabsorbers to lactose in milk chocolate.Eur J Clin Nutr.2003 May;57(5):701-5. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601600Craig WJ, Fresán U.International analysis of the nutritional content and a review of health benefits of non-dairy plant-based beverages.Nutrients.2021 Mar 4;13(3):842. doi:10.3390/nu13030842United Dairy Industry of Michigan.4 tips for getting enough calcium during pregnancy.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hidayat K, Chen JS, Wang TC, Liu YJ, Shi YJ, Su HW, Liu B, Qin LQ.The effects of milk supplementation on bone health indices in adults: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Adv Nutr.2022 Aug 1;13(4):1186-1199. doi:10.1093/advances/nmab136Xu ZR, Tan ZJ, Zhang Q, Gui QF, Yang YM.The effectiveness of leucine on muscle protein synthesis, lean body mass and leg lean mass accretion in older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Br J Nutr.2015 Jan 14;113(1):25-34. doi:10.1017/S0007114514002475Lunn WR, Pasiakos SM, Colletto MR, Karfonta KE, Carbone JW, Anderson JM, Rodriguez NR.Chocolate milk and endurance exercise recovery: protein balance, glycogen, and performance.Med Sci Sports Exerc.2012 Apr;44(4):682-91. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182364162den Hartigh LJ.Conjugated linoleic acid effects on cancer, obesity, and atherosclerosis: A review of pre-clinical and human trials with current perspectives.Nutrients.2019 Feb 11;11(2):370. doi:10.3390/nu11020370Moore DR.Nutrition to support recovery from endurance exercise: Optimal carbohydrate and protein replacement.Curr Sports Med Rep.2015 Jul-Aug;14(4):294-300. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000180UAMS Health.Is chocolate milk a good post-workout drink?Sealtest.1% chocolate milk nutrition.Hattori H, Hanai Y, Oshima Y, Kataoka H, Eto N.Excessive intake of high-fructose corn syrup drinks induces impaired glucose tolerance,Biomedicines.2021 May 12;9(5):541. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9050541Rippe JM, Angelopoulos TJ.Relationship between Added Sugars Consumption and Chronic Disease Risk Factors: Current Understanding.Nutrients.2016 Nov 4;8(11):697. doi:10.3390/nu8110697Järvinen RM, Loukaskorpi M, Uusitupa MI.Tolerance of symptomatic lactose malabsorbers to lactose in milk chocolate.Eur J Clin Nutr.2003 May;57(5):701-5. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601600Craig WJ, Fresán U.International analysis of the nutritional content and a review of health benefits of non-dairy plant-based beverages.Nutrients.2021 Mar 4;13(3):842. doi:10.3390/nu13030842United Dairy Industry of Michigan.4 tips for getting enough calcium during pregnancy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hidayat K, Chen JS, Wang TC, Liu YJ, Shi YJ, Su HW, Liu B, Qin LQ.The effects of milk supplementation on bone health indices in adults: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Adv Nutr.2022 Aug 1;13(4):1186-1199. doi:10.1093/advances/nmab136Xu ZR, Tan ZJ, Zhang Q, Gui QF, Yang YM.The effectiveness of leucine on muscle protein synthesis, lean body mass and leg lean mass accretion in older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Br J Nutr.2015 Jan 14;113(1):25-34. doi:10.1017/S0007114514002475Lunn WR, Pasiakos SM, Colletto MR, Karfonta KE, Carbone JW, Anderson JM, Rodriguez NR.Chocolate milk and endurance exercise recovery: protein balance, glycogen, and performance.Med Sci Sports Exerc.2012 Apr;44(4):682-91. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182364162den Hartigh LJ.Conjugated linoleic acid effects on cancer, obesity, and atherosclerosis: A review of pre-clinical and human trials with current perspectives.Nutrients.2019 Feb 11;11(2):370. doi:10.3390/nu11020370Moore DR.Nutrition to support recovery from endurance exercise: Optimal carbohydrate and protein replacement.Curr Sports Med Rep.2015 Jul-Aug;14(4):294-300. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000180UAMS Health.Is chocolate milk a good post-workout drink?Sealtest.1% chocolate milk nutrition.Hattori H, Hanai Y, Oshima Y, Kataoka H, Eto N.Excessive intake of high-fructose corn syrup drinks induces impaired glucose tolerance,Biomedicines.2021 May 12;9(5):541. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9050541Rippe JM, Angelopoulos TJ.Relationship between Added Sugars Consumption and Chronic Disease Risk Factors: Current Understanding.Nutrients.2016 Nov 4;8(11):697. doi:10.3390/nu8110697Järvinen RM, Loukaskorpi M, Uusitupa MI.Tolerance of symptomatic lactose malabsorbers to lactose in milk chocolate.Eur J Clin Nutr.2003 May;57(5):701-5. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601600Craig WJ, Fresán U.International analysis of the nutritional content and a review of health benefits of non-dairy plant-based beverages.Nutrients.2021 Mar 4;13(3):842. doi:10.3390/nu13030842United Dairy Industry of Michigan.4 tips for getting enough calcium during pregnancy.
Hidayat K, Chen JS, Wang TC, Liu YJ, Shi YJ, Su HW, Liu B, Qin LQ.The effects of milk supplementation on bone health indices in adults: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Adv Nutr.2022 Aug 1;13(4):1186-1199. doi:10.1093/advances/nmab136
Xu ZR, Tan ZJ, Zhang Q, Gui QF, Yang YM.The effectiveness of leucine on muscle protein synthesis, lean body mass and leg lean mass accretion in older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Br J Nutr.2015 Jan 14;113(1):25-34. doi:10.1017/S0007114514002475
Lunn WR, Pasiakos SM, Colletto MR, Karfonta KE, Carbone JW, Anderson JM, Rodriguez NR.Chocolate milk and endurance exercise recovery: protein balance, glycogen, and performance.Med Sci Sports Exerc.2012 Apr;44(4):682-91. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182364162
den Hartigh LJ.Conjugated linoleic acid effects on cancer, obesity, and atherosclerosis: A review of pre-clinical and human trials with current perspectives.Nutrients.2019 Feb 11;11(2):370. doi:10.3390/nu11020370
Moore DR.Nutrition to support recovery from endurance exercise: Optimal carbohydrate and protein replacement.Curr Sports Med Rep.2015 Jul-Aug;14(4):294-300. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000180
UAMS Health.Is chocolate milk a good post-workout drink?
Sealtest.1% chocolate milk nutrition.
Hattori H, Hanai Y, Oshima Y, Kataoka H, Eto N.Excessive intake of high-fructose corn syrup drinks induces impaired glucose tolerance,Biomedicines.2021 May 12;9(5):541. doi:10.3390/biomedicines9050541
Rippe JM, Angelopoulos TJ.Relationship between Added Sugars Consumption and Chronic Disease Risk Factors: Current Understanding.Nutrients.2016 Nov 4;8(11):697. doi:10.3390/nu8110697
Järvinen RM, Loukaskorpi M, Uusitupa MI.Tolerance of symptomatic lactose malabsorbers to lactose in milk chocolate.Eur J Clin Nutr.2003 May;57(5):701-5. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601600
Craig WJ, Fresán U.International analysis of the nutritional content and a review of health benefits of non-dairy plant-based beverages.Nutrients.2021 Mar 4;13(3):842. doi:10.3390/nu13030842
United Dairy Industry of Michigan.4 tips for getting enough calcium during pregnancy.
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