As the nights start to draw in and the rain begins to fall, and fall, the need for a warm cup-of-something becomes almost impossible to ignore. However, your everyday cuppa or morning mug of joe doesn’t quite cut it, does it?
(Related: Take a sip of tea to boost your productivity)
Hot chocolate on the other hand, ticks all the boxes. It’s filling, warms the cockles and is the perfect addition for any night in. Add a few marshmallows and, well, that’s just Christmas in a mug. There is one down side, though. A proper – and we do mean proper – hot chocolate is absolutely brimming with sugar. Which is fine, but more than a couple of those a week and you’re hitting a sugar PB.
(Related: 6 foods that will help your hangover)
Did you know that your average (225mg) cup of Cadbury’s instant make-at-home hot choc contains 17g of sugar? That’s four teaspoons – almost 19 per cent of your recommended daily allowance. And we haven’t even got to the milk or marshmallows.
(Relating: Eat chocolate three times a month improves your ticker)
Now, we’re not here to take away one of life’s luxuries but we also don’t want you wrecking your health. Luckily, help is at hand…
Healthspan, the UK’s largest mail-order supplier of vitamins, minerals and health supplements, have launched a protein hot chocolate. Yes, you heard us. Not only will it warm the hearts, it will feed the muscle and boost those gains.
Each portion-friendly sachet contains 18g of casein protein, 250mg of L-Theanine, vitamin B6 and B3, magnesium and zinc. It all sounds mightily impressive, but it’s only when you break down the figures does it start to make real sense.
(Related: Hit a PB with the help of dark chocolate)
While you’ll probably be more familiar with whey protein in your recovery shake, casein on the other hand, is a slow releasing protein, which feeds the muscles over many hours. The majority of top athletes will feed on casein before bed to ensure their muscles are getting the macronutrient 24/7. Zinc and B vitamins have also been shown to improve sleep and even combat insomnia.
Look, we’ve done enough talking. You want hot chocolate that will feed your muscles not your waistline, you now know where to find it.
