Starting Simple with Hot Chocolate
Maybe it’s the end of a long day, and you can’t help but think about cuddling up in a warm blanket with a delicious cup of hot cocoa. Or maybe it’s the morning and getting out of your cozy bed into the cold air only sounds manageable with a fresh cup of a warm drink coursing through your body.
Now consider this: You have also been looking for ways to improve your diet. You keep hearing that making little changes to your diet can make a big difference over time, but you aren’t sure what little changes to make. Breaking your routine is hard and especially challenging when you don’t know what new things to incorporate or replace what you already do. If this sounds like you, don’t worry, we have your back. Let’s start your changes with something simple and enjoyable: hot chocolate.
So you like hot chocolate. We do too! Whether it’s homemade or store-bought, you love the feeling of drinking something warm and tasty. Who doesn’t want a thick and creamy cup of hot cocoa on a snowy day? However, You might be wondering how to make a simple and healthy dietary change with hot chocolate. Well, let’s dive into the facts.
Your typical store-bought packet of hot chocolate
Hot chocolate is a quick and easy go-to hot drink. You can buy packets or a container of mix at the store to pair with hot water or warm milk. But what exactly are you drinking? The nutritional content of one packet of a popular hot chocolate brand made with hot water is:
Calories: 160
Total fat: 2.5 g
Total sugars: 28 g
Total carbs: 34 g
Your typical homemade hot chocolate
Homemade hot chocolate is both rich and delicious. If you are looking for that consistent drink to keep you healthy and feeling good, there are better options than this. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, a typical cup of homemade hot chocolate with milk has the following nutrition facts:
Calories: 192
Total fat: 5.8 g
Total sugars: 24.2 g
Total carbs: 26.6 g
Your new hot chocolate
Now that you’ve seen the nutritional content of store-bought and homemade hot chocolate, let’s look at your new best friend, Daybreak Cacao. The nutritional content for 1 TBSP, or 1 cup of our Organic Sunrise Blend, is as follows:
Calories: 30
Total fat: 2 g
Total sugars: 0 g
Total carbs: 3 g
We are very transparent about what we put in our products here at Daybreak Cacao. In the Organic Sunrise Blend, these are all of the ingredients included: Organic Cacao, Oat Milk Powder (Organic Oats, Enzymes), Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract, Organic Coconut Milk, Monk Fruit Extract, Himalayan Salt, Organic Cassia Cinnamon.
So, what are these things and how do they turn this drink from an alternative hot cocoa option to a drink that benefits your body and mind? Well, here are some benefits from the ingredients:
Organic Cacao: according to WebMD:
- Lowers blood pressure
- Reduces diabetes risk
- Lowers chances of heart disease
- Reduces inflammation
- Improves mood
- Improves brain function
- Enhances physical performance
Oat Milk: according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine:
- Reduces blood sugar
- Lowers cholesterol
- Prevents cancer
Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract: according to WebMD:
- Boosts energy and strength
- Improves immunity
- Enhances kidney function
- Helps the body adapt to stress
- Reduces bone loss
Organic Coconut Milk: according to Medical News Today:
- Promotes weight loss
- Promotes better heart health
- Gives protection from disease
- Helps body to fight infections
Monk Fruit Extract: according to Healthline:
- Is safe for diabetes
- Promotes weight loss
- Contains anti-inflammatory properties
Pink Himalayan Salt: according to Facty Health:
- Helps with hydration
- Contains minerals
- Balances electrolytes
Organic Cassia Cinnamon: according to WebMD:
- Improves insulin sensitivity
- Controls blood sugar
- Helps to fight bacteria
Here at Daybreak Cacao, we don’t want to leave you with just one option. Our other blend, Organic Cacao + Morning Mushrooms, contains the following nutritional content for 1 TBSP, or one cup:
Calories: 35
Total fat: 2 g
Total sugars: <1 g
Total carbs: 3 g
All of the ingredients that you will find in this blend are as follows: Organic Cacao, Oat Milk Powder (Organic Oats, Enzymes), Organic Coconut Milk, Organic Coconut MCT (Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Gum Acacia, Organic Rice Concentrate), Organic Chaga Mushroom Extract, Organic Cordyceps Mushroom Extract, Organic Lion's Mane Extract, Organic Turkey Tail Mushroom, Monk Fruit Extract, Himalayan Salt.
The benefits of many of these ingredients can be found above. Let’s look at what the new ingredients provide when it comes to health benefits.
Organic Coconut MCT: according to Healthline:
- Helps lower calorie intake
- Helps the body burn fat for energy
- Manages blood sugar levels
Organic Chaga Mushroom Extract: according to WebMD:
- Supports the immune system
- Reduces inflammation
- Prevents cancer
- Protects from liver damage
Organic Lion’s Mane Extract: according to WebMD:
- Contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
- Helps aid anxiety and depression
- Helps with dementia
Organic Turkey Tail Mushroom: according to Healthline:
- Reduces inflammation
- Boosts the immune system
- Increases gut health
- Improves athletic performance
Why Mushrooms?
You’re probably wondering, what is so special about mushrooms to include them in a hot chocolate? The cool thing about mushrooms is that they are not new in medicine and health. Their medicinal use goes back thousands of years. For example, Hippocrates, a famous physician in Ancient Greece around 450 BC, recognized the anti-inflammatory benefits of amadou mushrooms. According to an article in the National Library of Medicine, as humans evolved, mushrooms also evolved, fighting off their predators and threats. Fungi produce chemicals to survive in the wild, chemicals which are also active in human beings. Before the pharmaceutical age, people survived and fought off disease and infection using plants and fungi. Now, we are using those powers again to strengthen and heal our bodies. And to think, you can harness the medicinal practices of the ancient world through a delicious chocolatey drink!
What about the taste?
Clearly, there are so many health benefits in your new cup of cocoa, but what about the taste? It might be a little daunting to see mushrooms and cocoa in the same cup, but don’t fret, the smooth chocolatey taste is more present than ever. You don’t have to sacrifice taste for a healthier option. Our blends are flexible in experimenting with recipes that are both hot and cold. You can drink it regularly with water or milk or you can take a look at one of our recipes to add some spice to your drink! Some example recipes include Daybreak Shamrock Shake, Morning Breakfast Smoothie, Hot Pumpkin Spice Latte, and more!