Healthy Hot Chocolate

What’s in it

  • 2 cups unsweetened plant milk (oat, cashew, almond or coconut are all great)

  • 1 heaping T organic unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1 T pure maple syrup

  • ½ t pure vanilla extract

  • Ground cinnamon to taste

  • Optional – ¼ t chili powder if you want to add some kick, and powdered vitamin C and lions mane mushroom for a health boost

* makes one serving

How to Make it

1.     Warm the plant milk on the stove over medium heat until hot but not boiling, about 5 minutes

2.     Turn the heat to low, Add the rest of the ingredients and whisk to combine and heat another 1-2 minutes

3.     Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon and serve

WHY IT’S HEALTHY

Store-bought mixes and coffee shop hot chocolates often have 35-40+ grams of added sugar PER serving. That’s more than any of us should have in an entire day. This recipe uses pure maple syrup to sweeten the cocoa which is one of the healthier forms of sugar as it is brimming with minerals. Cocoa is high in antioxidants and several minerals, especially manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and zinc. A 2015 meta-analysis found that adults who consumed higher amounts of chocolate benefited from a significantly lower risk of developing heart disease or dealing with a stroke or death. The flavonoids found in cocoa are also thought to improve circulation and nitric oxide levels in the blood, which enhances the function of your blood vessels. Additionally, there’s evidence that cocoa can help improve blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation. Cocoa is among the top sources of flavonoids and other antioxidants of all foods. Flavonoids have been found to have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects”. Cocoa has been found to balance brain neurotransmitter levels, and this is especially helpful during PMS when serotonin levels tend to drop. Cocoa seems to have natural mood-boosting effects due to how its compounds affect the conversion of certain amino acids, such as tryptophan, into “feel good” neurotransmitters, like serotonin. The antioxidants in cinnamon have wonderful anti-inflammatory effects, which may help lower risk of disease.