Nesquik, one of the most celebrated brands of chocolate milk powder, has been enticing our taste buds since 1957. Originating from the USA, it soon made its mark in the UK, not only with its milk powder but also with its range of cereal and bars. But the big question remains: Is Nesquik healthy? Let’s dive into the details to find out more.
Is Nesquik healthy?
The findings might be surprising for some. Nesquik, while high in sugar, is devoid of artificial ingredients. Its fortification with vitamins and minerals provides added nutritional benefits. However, its high sugar content, contributing an extra 34 calories per cup of milk, is worth noting. When comparing the varieties, Chocolate Nesquik emerges healthier than its strawberry counterpart in terms of calories and sugar.
Ingredients
- Sugar
- Cocoa*
- Soy Lecithin
- Salt
- Sodium Ascorbate (Vitamin C)
- Tricalcium Phosphate
- Ferric Phosphate (Iron)
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
- Vitamin A Palmitate
- Natural Flavour
What are the nutritional statistics of Nesquik?
When one thinks of Nesquik, its delightful chocolate taste comes to mind. But what lies behind this taste? Recommended to be mixed with around 200ml of milk, the product’s nutritional content changes when mixed with water—though it might compromise the taste.
- Sugar: A prominent ingredient, Nesquik packs a whopping 9.3g of sugar per serving. This amount might raise eyebrows considering its serving size is just 9g.
- Calories: With 34 calories per serving, adding it to milk, especially whole milk, creates a calorie-rich drink. Surprisingly, Nesquik mixed with semi-skimmed milk even surpasses the calories in Tesco Chocolate Flavored Milk by 3 calories per 200ml.
- Salt and Fat: On the positive side, it contains an almost negligible amount of salt (0.04g) and fat (0.2g) per serving.
- Vitamins and Minerals: It’s fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, D, and calcium.
Delving deeper into its ingredients, Nesquik surprisingly consists of a concise list: sugar, cocoa powder, Emulsifier, and Cinnamon. This minimalistic approach was unexpected given the extensive ingredient lists on many products nowadays.
Potential Side Effects of Nesquik
Like two sides of a coin, Nesquik has its drawbacks:
- Sugar Overload: The high sugar content can pose health risks, potentially leading to chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, inflammation, poor gut health, and dental issues.
- Highly Processed: Being a processed food, many of its natural nutrients get stripped away during manufacturing. Even its cocoa powder is processed, diminishing the benefits of antioxidants known as flavanols.
- Not Diabetic-Friendly: Owing to its high sugar content, it’s not recommended for those with diabetes.
Conclusion
Summing up, while Nesquik offers certain health benefits, especially for children, its high sugar content and processed nature can’t be overlooked. It’s vital to strike a balance and consume it in moderation.
FAQs
1. Is Nesquik good after a workout?
Research suggests that low-fat chocolate milk, like Nesquik, may aid in refueling and restoring muscles. Its 3:1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein is believed to repair microtears in muscles post-workout.
2. When should you drink Nesquik?
Enriching milk with NESQUIK provides a good calcium source, crucial for growing children’s strong bones and teeth. It can be relished during breakfast, post-school, or as a cozy hot chocolate drink post-dinner.
3. Why is Nesquik discontinued
A seller on Takealot listed Nesquik products at about thrice the standard retail price. This pricing anomaly emerged after Nestlé discontinued the Nesquik flavoured milk drink, attributing the decision to a drop in sales and reduced product demand.
While examining Nesquik, you might also be curious about other popular drinks, such as the health effects of Coca-Cola.
