Loved by young and old, hot chocolate occupies a special place on our winter tables. But if it is renowned for its health benefits, we too often forget that one of its ingredients could also help us lose weight more easily… Melissa De Guardia, dietician-nutritionist, tells us more about this mysterious compound.
Hot chocolate: what is it made of?
Hot chocolate is generally made from three basic ingredients:
- Chocolate: whether in powder or pieces, once melted, it brings a rich and creamy texture to the drink;
- Milk (powdered or whole, vegetable or animal, etc.): it is used to dilute and soften the chocolate;
- Sugar (cane, coconut, agave syrup, rice syrup, etc.): it is often added to soften the bitterness of the cocoa.
- Some people also incorporate a knob of butter or cream into the hot chocolate to make it even silkier.
So far, nothing unusual or very surprising in this recipe. Except that according to our expert, one ingredient would make all the difference in the composition of this hot chocolate:… cocoa powder.
“Hot chocolate is often perceived as a high-calorie drink, but cocoa powder, its main ingredient, could have an interesting role in weight loss,” confirms Melissa De Guardia, dietician-nutritionist.
Weight loss: why cocoa powder can help
Too often wrongly judged, pure cocoa constitutes an excellent source of antioxidants (flavonoids), beneficial for health, and it would also limit weight gain.
“In fact, the dietary fiber it contains promotes satiety and helps limit cravings.“, admits the expert. “The polyphenols (flavanols) present in cocoa also have antioxidant properties beneficial for metabolism and cardiovascular health. Finally, the minerals it contains such as magnesium, potassium or iron are essential for the proper functioning of the body.”
The good news? These compounds remain present “even after freezing or processing“, thus making cocoa (also) interesting in a hot drink.
Yes to hot chocolate in moderation
If you have every right to enjoy hot chocolate as a snack, you should not overdo it, reminds the dietitian.
“Industrial hot chocolates are often very sweet and rich in fat, which can cancel out the satiating effect of cocoa. Let us remember in passing that cocoa is not a miracle solution for weight loss: it must be part of a balanced diet and an active lifestyle,”
underlines the nutritionist.
To consume it intelligently in everyday life, it is preferable to choose pure cocoa powder, without added sugars, and to use low-fat or unsweetened vegetable milk.
“You can also flavor the drink with cinnamon or a natural sweetener to add flavor without adding calories. Thus, a well-prepared cup of hot chocolate can become a pleasure ally compatible with satiety and weight management!”, concludes the expert.