It's cold outside - Hot chocolate before bed
mimc66
Posts: 33 Member
I'm working out most days - cardio or strength and skip dessert at dinner time. Lately, I've been craving something sweet before bed and given the cold dark weather, hot chocolate hits the spot. Honestly, it's become a habit I so was wondering - If chocolate milk is good for you after a workout, are there any positive recovery effects from having hot chocolate right before going to sleep?
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Replies
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just brush your teeth first!3
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Why is chocolate milk good after a workout in your mind? Is it the protein ? Sugar?
Maybe try making a homemade hot chocolate mix .... with low sugar7 -
If it helps you sleep then that's positive!
I often like to have a hot chocolate with a scoop of protein powder blended in, it helps me reach my protein intake, which in turn helps with workout recovery and muscle maintenance.
If it fits your calorie (and macro goals if you have any) then there's nothing wrong with satisfying a craving.
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I have made sure I have adequate "leftover" calories so that I can have hot chocolate late in the day (but not right before bed). I use 1% milk with 1 1/2 tbsps chocolate syrup. It satisfies my sweets craving.1
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Hot chocolate makes me drowsy, so it would be the perfect before bed snack to ease off the sweets craving. I used to drink a serving of chocolate milk after my bootcamp classes. I'm not sure if it helped much, they were pretty brutal, but it tasted great.1
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if you have the calories, and you like it, go for it. it should not have any detrimental effects3
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Phoebe5164 wrote: »Why is chocolate milk good after a workout in your mind? Is it the protein ? Sugar?
Maybe try making a homemade hot chocolate mix .... with low sugar
Many athletes use it because it's a good source of protein, carbs and hydration which is good for muscle recovery.10 -
I have white chocolate peppermint tea that works for my sweet tooth. And it's awesome because it doesn't need sugar so it's zero calories. Like everyone else said, if you can fit the hot chocolate into your daily calories, then go for it. But the tea might be a good alternative for the days your calorie budget is maxed.1
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Sugar Free Spiced Apple Cider... so good, 15 cals. Yum.5
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I'm working out most days - cardio or strength and skip dessert at dinner time. Lately, I've been craving something sweet before bed and given the cold dark weather, hot chocolate hits the spot. Honestly, it's become a habit I so was wondering - If chocolate milk is good for you after a workout, are there any positive recovery effects from having hot chocolate right before going to sleep?
There's nothing wrong with a hot chocolate if you're enjoying it, it fits your calorie goal, and it isn't driving out other necessary nutrition.
Chocolate milk is a reasonable post-workout snack (protein, carbs, fluid), so hot chocolate should be a reasonable post-workout snack, too. It's pretty much the same thing, only maybe sweeter. It's not clear to me from your post whether you work out right before bed.
If not, then hot chocolate being a good post-workout snack is pretty irrelevant . . . and generally, nutrient timing is pretty meaningless for sub-elites, anyway, unless it affects your personal energy level in some clearly observable way.
As far as whether it's a good bedtime snack, if it fits into your eating goals, you enjoy it, and the sugar/stimulants don't interfere with your sleep, then it's a good bedtime snack for you. It doesn't need to have some fitness benefit in order to be OK.2 -
If you’re worried about the added calories, I love tea. Loose leaf tea has so many different options, and often taste like a sweet treat too! I’ve had almond flavour, strawberry rhubarb and some that taste like chocolate0
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I don't know if there's any health benefits to it but if it makes you happy, carry on!2
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Not sure if they're available elsewhere but I have a Jarrah hot chocolate drink pretty much every night.
My favourites are the Classic, Mint Madness and Rocky Road. All between 45-60 calories and taste amazing.0 -
Where do you get the Jarrah hot chocolate drink?0
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When it's really cold, I love hot chocolate when we get home after walking the dog. He gets a final walk around 11:00 pm, and that hot chocolate warms me up wonderfully. I'll also sometimes drink it after a run or after his morning walk. Swiss Miss instant is 90 - 160 calories, and I make it fit my calorie budget.1
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I have instant hot chocolate that mixes in water not milk. Tons of healthier ones around with different tastes etc, lots with 30 - 40 calories per cup so could be fitted in a lot easier.1
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timeforwork wrote: »I have instant hot chocolate that mixes in water not milk. Tons of healthier ones around with different tastes etc, lots with 30 - 40 calories per cup so could be fitted in a lot easier.
I don't enjoy those at all, I'd rather make room for a proper one less often2 -
tinkerbellang83 wrote: »timeforwork wrote: »I have instant hot chocolate that mixes in water not milk. Tons of healthier ones around with different tastes etc, lots with 30 - 40 calories per cup so could be fitted in a lot easier.
I don't enjoy those at all, I'd rather make room for a proper one less often
Plus it is relaxing to stand in the kitchen slowing stirring the homemade cocoa. It helps prep you for bed.1 -
Hot cocoa on the brain right now - great on a cold winter night!
My fav recipe-
Aztec Dark Hot Cocoa
1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate (I use low sugar variety or 70%)
2 cups of milk of choice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 ground vanilla bean
dash of salt
1 chili pepper 🌶
Sugar or sugar substitute optional (to taste)
INSTRUCTIONS
Melt the chocolate with a little of the milk in a small pot over medium heat. Whisk in the remaining milk, the cinnamon, vanilla, sugar (if desired) and dash of salt. Add the chili pepper to the pot and bring the pot almost to a boil. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for 10 mins. Remove and discard the chili pepper.
Et voila spicy cozy hot cocoa! Wish I had some right now!
Ps - there is some caffeine in dark chocolate but the warmth of the beverage puts me to sleep. 💤
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