Will a mug of hot chocolate a day make that big of a diff?
kirstengeffen
Posts: 103 Member
I don't know if this is a silly question...
But I'm on a 12 week challenge, I have hired a personal trainer and have my meals prepped for me, so I want the best possible results in 12 weeks!!
I stick hundred percent to my meal plan and do around 1 hour cardio 5x per week. And lift 5 days a week 2. So I spend about 1.5 hours in the gym 5 days a week.
When I get into bed at night, I usually find myself craving something sweet...
I've been having a mug of nestle hot chocolate?
Is this alright or am I going to hinder my progress?
Any alternatives perhaps around 100 cals that will satisfy my sweet tooth but perhaps be healthier??
But I'm on a 12 week challenge, I have hired a personal trainer and have my meals prepped for me, so I want the best possible results in 12 weeks!!
I stick hundred percent to my meal plan and do around 1 hour cardio 5x per week. And lift 5 days a week 2. So I spend about 1.5 hours in the gym 5 days a week.
When I get into bed at night, I usually find myself craving something sweet...
I've been having a mug of nestle hot chocolate?
Is this alright or am I going to hinder my progress?
Any alternatives perhaps around 100 cals that will satisfy my sweet tooth but perhaps be healthier??
0
Replies
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Are you logging the calories and accounting for them in your day? If so, I'm not sure how this could hinder your progress.1
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If you can spare the 100 calories, then it doesn't really matter what you eat, as long as it fits into your calorie goals.0
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If it fits into your calories, go for it. Nothing wrong with hot chocolate.0
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If it fits in your calorie goal, it won't hinder anything.1
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Just a side note...
I'm not overweight.
151cm. 47kgs. 20% body fat.....
Trying to get shredded and lean!!0 -
Swiss Miss also makes a low calorie option-25 calories per pkt (mix with hot water). I add a splash of 0 calorie Davinci Raspberry flavored syrup to it and it tastes great
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In all seriousness, why would you think it would hinder your progress? Cause you not to lose weight? Impact your body composition? Create cravings for other sweets? Consuming cals too late causes you to retain fat? Burn your tongue or other body parts if you spill it?
It feels like there may be some underlying belief that may need to be addressed more than the question about the hot chocolate itself...1 -
I drink chocolate milk all the time Like others have said, as long as it fits, go for it. 0
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I would just make a sugar free hot chocolate with 2-3 tsps of unsweetened cocoa powder, 10 oz water, a splash of cream and some sweetener. I usually add a pinch of salt and a dribble of vanilla too. Sometimes I swap out coffee for the water.1
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I know there are a lot of lighter hot chocolate powders out there (in the UK a good one is called Options, they come in loads of different chocolatey flavours and individual packs as well as large jars) Agree with everyone else though, as long as it's in your calorie allowance.
If you want something calorie free, I always have Liquorice tea in the cupboard. It usually satisfies my sweet tooth and stops my late night snacking.
Well done with all your hard work, sounds like you're kicking 12 week butt
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WinoGelato wrote: »In all seriousness, why would you think it would hinder your progress? Cause you not to lose weight? Impact your body composition? Create cravings for other sweets? Consuming cals too late causes you to retain fat? Burn your tongue or other body parts if you spill it?
It feels like there may be some underlying belief that may need to be addressed more than the question about the hot chocolate itself...
I'm not sure, I guess the sugar aspect of it??? As far as nutrition goes, I've always been told to avoid unnatural sugars due to the weird behaviour unnatural sugars have on insulin levels etc....
though also, a burnt tongue does suck.
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Thanks guys!!
I guess I'm just paranoid. It def fits within my calorie goal...
But I feel like I have all these perfectly balanced macros of natural foods and then boom... hot choc haha... but I think I'm being paranoid and petty... its A lifestyle change after all.
I live in South Africa, so it's suuuuper hard to find cool things like low fat hot choc at a reasonable price!1 -
findingkirst wrote: »WinoGelato wrote: »In all seriousness, why would you think it would hinder your progress? Cause you not to lose weight? Impact your body composition? Create cravings for other sweets? Consuming cals too late causes you to retain fat? Burn your tongue or other body parts if you spill it?
It feels like there may be some underlying belief that may need to be addressed more than the question about the hot chocolate itself...
I'm not sure, I guess the sugar aspect of it??? As far as nutrition goes, I've always been told to avoid unnatural sugars due to the weird behaviour unnatural sugars have on insulin levels etc....
though also, a burnt tongue does suck.
That's kind of what I figured you were going to say. Unless you have a medical reason to avoid sugars, there really is no reason to think sugars (added or otherwise) consumed in moderation would have any impact on your progress or your insulin levels. Not sure who gave you that information, but it is likely stemmed from pseudoscience and not actual research.
You seem very dedicated to your goal and your training. That's great! Just make sure you aren't going after this so aggressively that you end up injured, burned out, etc. Find an approach that is sustainable for you PAST the 12 week challenge... I can't imagine a lifetime without sweets in moderation, so I find a way to work in chocolate pretty much every day. A glass or two of wine as well. It hasn't hindered my progress, I lost the weight I set out to lose and am maintaining that loss for about a year now.1 -
OP you gave your stats above and said you are already at a healthy weight, but your profile says you want to lose another 15 lbs. If my math is right, you are 5 feet tall and weigh 103 lbs? Does that sound right? What is your calorie goal set at? Are you eating back some of those exercise calories too? If you are trying to achieve a particular body composition, build lean mass, you probably want to be eating at maintenance calories and focusing on strength training for a recomp, not eating at a deficit with a majority of cardio.0
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I often make a cup of cocoa before bed. Either regular Swiss Miss if I can spare the calories, or half milk, half water, unsweetened baking cocoa and splenda if I don't. Swiss miss around 130 calories and the other around 80 calories or so. It's a nice, warm, chocolate treat before bed.0
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WinoGelato wrote: »findingkirst wrote: »WinoGelato wrote: »In all seriousness, why would you think it would hinder your progress? Cause you not to lose weight? Impact your body composition? Create cravings for other sweets? Consuming cals too late causes you to retain fat? Burn your tongue or other body parts if you spill it?
It feels like there may be some underlying belief that may need to be addressed more than the question about the hot chocolate itself...
I'm not sure, I guess the sugar aspect of it??? As far as nutrition goes, I've always been told to avoid unnatural sugars due to the weird behaviour unnatural sugars have on insulin levels etc....
though also, a burnt tongue does suck.
That's kind of what I figured you were going to say. Unless you have a medical reason to avoid sugars, there really is no reason to think sugars (added or otherwise) consumed in moderation would have any impact on your progress or your insulin levels. Not sure who gave you that information, but it is likely stemmed from pseudoscience and not actual research.
You seem very dedicated to your goal and your training. That's great! Just make sure you aren't going after this so aggressively that you end up injured, burned out, etc. Find an approach that is sustainable for you PAST the 12 week challenge... I can't imagine a lifetime without sweets in moderation, so I find a way to work in chocolate pretty much every day. A glass or two of wine as well. It hasn't hindered my progress, I lost the weight I set out to lose and am maintaining that loss for about a year now.
This is spot on!0 -
findingkirst wrote: »20% body fat.....
Trying to get shredded and lean!!
You're already plenty lean. All this grinding cardio is counterproductive, IMO. Everything physical you do has opportunity costs. You'd be better off putting your effort into weights, rest, and eating.
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WinoGelato wrote: »OP you gave your stats above and said you are already at a healthy weight, but your profile says you want to lose another 15 lbs. If my math is right, you are 5 feet tall and weigh 103 lbs? Does that sound right? What is your calorie goal set at? Are you eating back some of those exercise calories too? If you are trying to achieve a particular body composition, build lean mass, you probably want to be eating at maintenance calories and focusing on strength training for a recomp, not eating at a deficit with a majority of cardio.
I'm not sure where it says I want to lose 15lbs???
I started this account when I was 62kgs.. maybe it hasn't changed. I'm quote happy with my weight just want to recomp
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A healthier option is using cacao powder instead. One tablespoon per mug, sweetened with stevia. It's far less processed, with zero sugar, and lower in calories. If you can't find cacao, which is unprocessed cocoa powder, then the latter will do.0
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Everything you eat makes a difference. Even at 100 calories, it would be 10 pounds per year. We all have to choose how we consume our calories, regardless of what our goals are.
Personally, I like one square of 86% cacao dark chocolate. About 60 cals depending on brand and satisfies my chocolate cravings and does have health benefits.0 -
findingkirst wrote: »Just a side note...
I'm not overweight.
151cm. 47kgs. 20% body fat.....
Trying to get shredded and lean!!
Well, I have never been lean and losing weight but I have heard it said many times once you get real lean to continue losing you have to be diligent. But I'd assume that just means staying within your calories. If it's the only sugary thing in your day and you log it then no harm done. Also if one cup of hot cocoa saves you from binging or eating WAY off plan then so be it!
But of course you know there are teas that are sweet than contain no calories at all 0 -
I drink hot chocolate often as it stops me eating a multipack of kit kats... Choc shot by sweet freedom is a completely vegan option with no added nasties or refined sugars... Lovely with unsweetened almond milk!0
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doesnt chocolate have antioxidents?0
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Depends. Are you able to stop at one serving or do you have an insatiable sweet tooth?
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Maybe try raw unsweetened cocoa made with boiling water and a dash of skim milk. Only 40-45 calories in a double mug. Living without sugar and sweeteners is worth trying.0
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Raw cocoa powder is loaded with fibre and anti-oxidants. It's also a great brain stimulant.0
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