It’s fall. That means HOT CHOCOLATE SEASON!
My sweet tooth craves hot chocolate just like yours. However, sadly, traditional hot chocolate is full of sugar. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to give up my health goals for one cup of sugary hot chocolate.
The truth is that winter is simply not complete without this yummy drink. So it became my mission to find the perfect healthy hot chocolate this season.
The good news is that I found it!
Organifi's Gold Chocolate is the perfect hot chocolate substitute this winter season.
Why?
Read on to learn more about why you should forget about sugary, conventional hot chocolate, and choose a cup of this delicious warm drink instead.
The History of Healthy Hot Chocolate
Did you know that hot chocolate has been enjoyed around the world for thousands of years as a healthy and rich beverage?
The history of your favorite healthy cup of hot chocolate dates back to 500 BC on the land where Mexico is today. The Mayans made their drinking chocolate from ground up cacao seeds, cornmeal, and chili peppers mixed with water. Hot chocolate was regarded as a luxury. Elites and royalty were even buried with it.
Eventually, in the early 1500s, it made its way to Europe when explorer Cortez brought some cacao beans and hot chocolate making tools from Central-America. Enjoying a cup of healthy hot chocolate became popular quickly among Spanish royalty and upper class. Though the Spanish were originally very protective of their sacred drink, overtime, hot chocolate made its way across Europe. In the 1700s chocolate houses opened in London. Throughout the centuries, the Europeans also added more sweetness and spices, and eventually milk, to the original, simple and slightly bitter drink.
Hot Chocolate as a Healthy and Medicinal Drink
Hot chocolate was viewed as a health drink until the 19th century. Thomas Jefferson even referred to it as a healthy beverage choice.
The healthy Mayan version of today’s hot chocolate was historically used for its medicinal and nutritional properties to combat fatigue, constipation, indigestion, hemorrhoids, gout, angina, and dental problems. The Spanish and later other Europeans also viewed it as healthy. Hot chocolate was the drink of choice to battle fevers, liver diseases, stomach problems, lung problems, muscle disorders, and hemorrhoids.
Hot Chocolate Today: Is It Still Healthy?
Eventually, the use of a healthy hot chocolate as a remedy for ailments faded out.
In the 18th century, the Dutch invented cocoa powder and began to control the entire cocoa bean trade. This lead to newer creations.
Today, chocolate is enjoyed as a solid, sweet treat rather than the slightly bitter, nutritious, hot chocolate drink it started out as. While hot chocolate is still popular today, it is not a sacred or healthy drink as it once was, but a sugary processed beverage.
Insert *sighs of sadness*
However, a healthy version of hot chocolate has recently made a comeback!
More recent research studies are showing the health benefits of cacao and cocoa - and suggesting that hot chocolate can be a health food.
Thanks to growing awareness, more and more people are looking for a substitute for the sugary hot chocolate in their cupboards, and choosing healthy hot chocolate with cocoa and other superfood ingredients instead.
Are you ready to embark on this journey to find a healthy hot chocolate that nourishes your soul and allows you to ditch the sugar-filled hot chocolate at your local coffee chain?
Chocolate Is Health Food - Do You Still Need a Hot Chocolate Substitute?
Chocolate is health food. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
You don’t need a substitute for hot chocolate if you choose a healthy hot chocolate. How to choose a nutritious hot chocolate that is healthy?
Read on to find out.
Cacao vs Cocoa - and Which One Is in the Best Chocolate Substitute?
Some chocolate and hot chocolate are made from cacao, while others are a product of cocoa.
So what’s the difference?
Cacao beans are one of nature’s powerful antioxidant foods. More and more studies are showing the benefits of cacao.
Both cacao and cocoa are made from cacao beans, they are just made using a different process.
Cacao is created by cold-pressing unroasted cacao beans. Cocoa, on the other hand, is made from roasted cacao beans processed at high temperature.
Both contain nutrients that can be beneficial to you and support your diet goals. However, it's what companies add to the cocoa or cacao that can get you in trouble.
Conventional hot chocolate and chocolate bars are usually made with added unhealthy ingredients, such as refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup, soy lecithin, and artificial flavoring.
When looking for a healthy hot chocolate, what you need is a nutrient-dense substitute for the hot chocolate made with other unhealthy additives that are found in mainstream grocery stores and cafes.
What you need is a healthy hot chocolate that not only contains the tasty cocoa you are looking for, but other amazing superfoods, just like the ones in Gold, Chocolate.
Benefits of Cocoa, the Star of your Healthy Hot Chocolate Substitute
No, you don't have to ditch cocoa to be healthy. In fact, there are many health benefits of high-quality, additive-free cocoa.
- It’s rich in antioxidants.
- It’s a fantastic prebiotic.
- It may help reduce cravings.
Nutrients in Traditional Hot Chocolate - And Why You Need a Substitute
Let’s be honest, traditional hot chocolate that you find in coffee shops and stores today is far from healthy. It is filled with processed sugar and additives. It is also usually made with dairy, a common allergen.
A tall (12 oz) of hot chocolate at Starbucks with 2% milk and whipped cream is far from healthy. It has 320 calories, 13 grams of fat (8 grams of it is saturated fat) and 34 grams of sugar. Even without the whipped cream and non-fat milk, it still has 210 calories and 32 grams of sugar.
And remember, this is the smallest adult size! Looking at the ingredients, you won’t find high quality cocoa either, but milk and mocha sauce with sugar, cocoa processed with alkali, and natural flavor.
Picking up a box at your grocery store is also not a healthy substitute for your hot chocolate. One envelope of a conventional hot chocolate mix has 90 calories and 11 grams of sugar. The ingredient list of this hot chocolate mix is also not healthy.
It includes sugar, corn syrup, cocoa processed with alkali, modified whey, hydrogenated coconut oil, nonfat milk, salt, dipotassium phosphate, carrageenan, mono- and diglycerides, cesium potassium, sucralose, and artificial flavor.
You can’t even pronounce most of these ingredients.
The good news is that there is a better hot chocolate substitute for these sugary processed drinks.
Organifi's Gold, Chocolate is the perfect adaptogenic hot chocolate substitute this holiday season that can actually benefit your health and weight management goals.
Ingredients and Nutrients in Organifi Gold Chocolate, the Ultimate Healthy Hot Chocolate
Organifi Gold Chocolate is a powerful adaptogenic blend that includes:
- Turmeric: a powerful antioxidant that helps support rest and recovery.
- Ginger: supports digestion and a healthy immune response.
- Lemon balm: can help promote a healthy response to stress.
- Reishi: a powerful adaptogen that can help support the immune system.
- Turkey Tail: another powerhouse for immune support.
Organifi Gold Chocolate is made with the highest quality, organic superfood ingredients designed specifically to enhance your health.
Just mix it with a warm cup of coconut milk, nut milk, or water and you have a delicious, nutrient-dense, and healthy hot chocolate in your hands.
If you are looking for a cold substitute for hot chocolate, you are in luck. Organifi Gold Chocolate can be enjoyed both hot or cold. For a cold beverage, mix it with a cup of cold coconut milk, nut milk, or water. Add a few ice cubes if you wish. You may get creative and add it to your favorite smoothie. The possibilities are endless.
Ways to Use Organifi Gold, Chocolate
My favorite thing about Gold Chocolate is that there are so many ways to use it. You can enjoy it at any time as a hot chocolate drink or as part of other healthy recipes. It is a versatile, healthy substitute for any hot chocolate or chocolate dessert.
- It is the perfect dairy-free healthy drink. Enjoy your healthy hot chocolate with a splash of coconut milk for a creamier taste.
- You can drink it as a dessert after dinner. It tastes great hot or cold.
- Speaking of dessert, it serves as a perfect snack in the afternoon or as part of your children’s lunch.
- Yes, Organifi Gold Chocolate is a healthy hot chocolate for the kids! Let them have another cup. It is seriously a perfect substitute for their beloved sugary hot chocolate or chocolate bars.
- You and your children can even enjoy a glass or cup as part of breakfast. Yes, finally a healthy way to have dessert for breakfast!
- You can also add Gold Chocolate to your baked goods, raw desserts, chocolate sauces, and healthy ice creams instead of cocoa powder.
Check out some of my favorite recipes with Organifi Gold Chocolate that will not only make you fall in love with this delicious adaptogenic blend but also convince you that it is hands down the best hot chocolate substitute ever.
Adaptogenic Hot Chocolate Recipes with Organifi Gold Chocolate
Simply Healthy Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
- 1 scoop of Organifi Gold, Chocolate
- 1 cup of coconut or almond milk
Instructions:
- Warm up your coconut or almond milk, but don’t boil.
- Mix in Organifi Gold Chocolate. Enjoy.
Sacred Healthy Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
- ½ cup boiling water
- ¼ cup coconut or almond milk
- 1 tsp coconut oil (optional)
- 1 scoop Organifi Gold Chocolate
- Optional: 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
Instructions:
- Whisk together and enjoy.
- Alternatively, place in a blender and blend for a more frothy healthy hot chocolate.
Cocoa Moon Milk
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 tsp Organifi Gold Chocolate
- ½ tsp maca powder (optional)
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tbsp almond butter (optional)
Instructions:
- Add the almond milk, Organifi, maca, and honey or maple syrup in a small pan.
- Whisk until combined then heat slightly without boiling.
- If you are using almond butter, add it to the blender, and blend well. Enjoy.
Healthy Hot Chocolate Coffee (as the Perfect Substitute for Both Hot Chocolate and Coffee)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup hot brewed coffee or Americano (you can use decaf!)
- 1 scoop Organifi Gold Chocolate
- ¼ cup warm coconut or almond milk
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to your blender.
- Blend well for 15 seconds for a latte-like healthy hot chocolate.
Chocolate Avocado Cream Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut or almond milk
- 1 scoop Organifi Gold, Chocolate
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 avocado scooped out
- 1 cup ice (optional)
Instructions:
- Blend everything in your blender. Enjoy.
Healthy Banana Muffins
Ingredients:
- 3 large, very ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup (79g) unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup (65g) almond flour/brown rice flour
- 1/2 cup (63g) gluten-free flour
- 1/2 cup (42g) Gold Chocolate
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup (180g) dark chocolate chips (70% or higher), plus more for topping
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Line a muffin tin with baking cups. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Mash them very well - no big lumps. You should have about 1 1/2 cups.
- Stir in the sugar, egg, and applesauce.
- Sift the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda, and baking powder into the wet ingredients.
- Mix lightly to combine.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- The batter will be slightly chunky. Do not overmix.
- Divide the batter between the 12 muffin cups - fill them all the way to the top.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes at 375 or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
- Allow muffins to cool for 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
It is the perfect hot chocolate substitute that you and your family will love this season.