Saturday Share - Easy Hot Cocoa vs. Instant Mix

 On dreary cold, rainy days I like to indulge with a cup of hot cocoa. In the past, I would buy the large canister of (name removed since I don't want to get sued). In reading labels on several of these mixes, I learned that the ingredients are about the same on all of them.

This started as a short post to give you my healthy, delicious recipe for a cup of hot cocoa that's an alternative to the mixes you buy at the store.

That recipe is at the end of this post if you want to skip the research I did on these instant hot chocolate mixes.

Since I'm all about staying healthy, I think it's important to share with you what I discovered about the questionable ingredients in instant cocoa mixes so you can make an informed decision before consuming them.

Questionable? OMG. This led me down a rabbit hole, and I learned far more about the ingredients that convinced me I didn't want them in anything I consumed. Those ingredients begin with sugar and corn syrup (2 forms of sugar!!)

This is what I learned about the ingredients that are listed after the sugars and what can be surprising side effects from them. Here's what I learned about those ingredients in order of prominence.

Modified whey—a form of whey protein that has been altered through chemical, physical, or enzymatic processes.

Potential side effects: digestive issues like bloating, gas, nausea, and diarrhea. Those with kidney problems should consult a doctor before consuming modified whey as it may put additional strain on the kidneys.

Cocoa processed with alkali—this is what is called "Dutch-processed" cocoa which means the cocoa beans are treated with an alkaline solution like potassium carbonate. 

This neutralizes their natural acidity and results in a milder taste, darker color, and improved solubility. Unfortunately, it also reduces the beneficial antioxidant content (the flavanols) which is the main health benefit of cocoa.

Hydrogenated coconut oil—coconut oil that has had hydrogen added to it to make it more solid and extend its shelf life. This hydrogenation process creates trans fats, which can increase one's risk of heart disease.

Nonfat milk—milk that has had all of its fat removed. This is a good source of the benefits from milk, but the problem is that the fat was removed and replaced by the hydrogenated cocnut oil.

Salt—1 serving gives 170mg sodium which is 7% of the daily value. To give you an idea of what amount that might be, 1/4 teaspoon is 575 milligrams so I guess 170mg isn't too much.

Dipotassium phosphate—can cause side effects like muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, and gastrointestinal issues as well as allergic reactions like itching, swelling, rash, and difficulty breathing. 

Mono-and dyglycerides—a type of food additive classified as emulsifiers. They help mix oil and water together and are typically derived from vegetable oils. They are considered generally safe if consumed in normal amounts. 

Problems arise when someone consuming them are also eating a diet high in saturated fats. (I imagine since these ingredients are in many food products people can consume too much without realizing it.) Potential side effects can include increased risk of heart disease if consumed in large quantities. 

Natural flavor—Wow. This one is really problematic because food manufacturers are not required to tell consumers the source of the natural flavor. 

Sources considered natural are fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, and even animal products. It's used to enhance the taste of the product in question without adding any nutritional value.

You should know that "natural flavors" may come from plant or animal sources, but the process of extracting and manipulating the flavor compounds happens in a lab.

Be sure and read my follow up on Natural Flavors that publishes Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.

I think the "generally considered safe" label probably doesn't mean anything because the potential for allergic reaction is real since the consumer doesn't know the source of the flavor. Where's the transparency regarding souce, processing, etc.?

Then there's the moral issue of people who are vegetarian who may be consuming a product from an animal source. 

MY RECIPE FOR EASY HOT COCOA

This may take a couple of minutes longer than the "instant" hot chocolate mixes, but it's healthy.

Here is the basic recipe. Adjust amounts according to the size of your cup and your taste.

Ingredients

1 microwave safe mug (I use a tall one as shown at right)

whole milk

1 tablespoon Hershey's Cocoa Powder

boiling water

1 tablespoon sugar (I use organic sugar)

small pinch of salt

Directions

(1) Pour milk into the mug, filling it to the halfway mark.

(2) Heat the milk in the microwave to very hot

(3) Remove from microwave and add cocoa powder. Mix well. I have a tiny whisk I use.

(4) Pour boiling water to fill the mug.

(5) Add sugar and salt and whisk well.

That's it. You get natural ingredients, the health benefits of real dairy and real dark chocolate. You control the amount of sugar and salt, and you get nothing weird with potential side effects.

TAKEAWAY TRUTH

The more I learn about what's in our food supply, the more determined I become to eliminate as many as possible from my kitchen and the food I prepare.

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