To use Hot Chocolate as my main drink instead of coffee?

I have a child who is prescribed milkshakes as an exclusive diet. She is peg fed the rest of the time if she doesn’t comply. I’m not ludicrous.

I think you’ve asked on the wrong forum because no matter what you drink, someone will feel the need to put you down.

Just drink what you like.

I don't like tea or coffee, I love a good quality hot chocolate, I would not be having multiple a day though! Maybe once or twice a week as I'm conscious how full of sugar it is. I drink water the rest of the time. You have made me fancy a hot chocolate now though.

I have cocoa. I gradually reduced the sugar in it and now have it without. I do stick to only one or two a day though because it's a lot of dairy obviously.

As others have said it’s a huge whack of sugar- which yes will perk you up but then you will crash and need another! Over the day a lot of calories

One hot chocolate a day is enough. If you're having 4 a day it's like eating 4 large chocolate bars a day. All that sugar is extremely bad for your health.
Drink some cold water -that will wake you up.

Several coffees a day isn't healthy either. 2 coffees or 4 teas is plenty of caffeine.

It'll be terrible for your health.

What about no sugar Red Bull, Op? @DayInTheLifeOfaMum

all the caffeine but none of the calories

You might as well have a chocolate bar, it's the sugar that's waking you up.

So, i'm with your husband as it's not v good for you. I don't think it's a good idea to rely on caffeine but relying on sugar is worse.

What I tend to have is a cappuccino or a latte - I'd recommend trying a mocha when you're in a coffee shop

You say you don't like tea but there are lots - have you tried chai, green tea, jasmine tea? I'd get a tea advent calendar if I were you and try and find something you like. You can always stick a teaspoon of honey in for a bit of a sugar kick too!

And stick to 1 coffee shop hot chocolate a day. Have as many options hot chocolates at home as you like, they're not so bad for you.

You don’t sound so mature yourself, flower.

Coffee isn't sugary unless sugar is being added.

Hot chocolate typically has far more sugar & calories.

If you swapped to options or highlights hot chocolate that's only about 40 calories a cup so you could have a few of those a day if you wanted to..

How often are you having it?

I usually have a coffee in the morning, a coffee midway through the day and then a cup of tea in the evening.

The hot chocolate doesn’t act in the same way as coffee as it doesn’t have caffeine but if you enjoy it and you’re not having too many then it’s absolutely fine.

I would be wary of the calories and my bank balance, especially if they are takeout ones.

Are you having them at home or whilst you’re out regularly?
It comes across as you’re only having it because DH drinks coffee and so you think you need something too.

Ultimately, you are an adult and can drink whatever you want whenever you want.

Cocoa or hot chocolate used to be the coffee equivalent in regency periods and earlier.
You're just in the wrong time period. However, it was made from cocoa beans not cocoa butter, so lower in fat.

I agree with other posters, multiple hot chocolates are going to be a lot more calories, fat and sugar than coffee (even with a spoonful.of sugar in, i think, though tou might want to look into that yourself). But it is also your life, your choice, and your risk of developing Type II diabetes.

With the hot chocolate you're drinking, the main thing that will be keeping you awake is the sugar or glucose syrup that's in it.

Cocoa powder does contain Theobromine, which is a stimulant.

Hey OP I also love hot chocolate and would drink it all day if I could
However let’s be real - as other posters have said - hot choc from coffee shop/ Costa etc has got the same amount of calories as a dessert or a chocolate bar and the blood sugar spike will be even worse because comes with no fibre or other redeeming qualities - and is therefore terrible for you and a recipe for obesity and diabetes if you’re drinking it all day!

I have found the following solutions -

Try the evening elixir from Elle macpherson’s welleco range. It’s got 13 calories and you drink it before bed and it’s got magnesium and other vitamins in it - expensive but delicious and sends me straight to sleep.

Choc shot - this makes a very quick hot choc with under 20 calories - and all natural ingredients. Can get from Amazon or Ocado

Making your own proper healthy hot choc with cacao powder - try the Hensley and Hensley Mexican hot chocolate recipe - full of antioxidants and you can control the amount of sugar if you add your own. I use 1tsp of maple syrup which at 17 calories I think is acceptable. Other ingredients like cacao, cinnamon are really good for you and contribute to your 30 plants a week (in the same way coffee does)

Mix it up with homemade chai latte or turmeric latte - again I’m talking about spices plus milk plus approx one tsp of honey or maple syrup per serving. Delicious and also full of anti oxidants.

After a while of weaning yourself off the very sugary versions you taste the natural sweetness in milk anyway and you might find you need even less sweetener than that.

Happy drinking!

I don't drink coffee or tea. Have never drunk coffee. I stopped drinking tea about twenty years ago. Since then, if I want something hot, I drink freshly boiled water, sometimes with fresh mint, but mostly without. I don't have lemon.

I do have hot chocolate. I can go for months never drinking it. In the winter, I tend to have it twice a week, made with 'proper' chocolate rather than powder, and lactose-free milk. The former makes it too expensive to drink more often. I also don't want it to become a habit.

I wouldn’t. SO much sugar, not to mention the high calorie and fat content.

None of those things are bad in moderation, but having several a day is absolutely not healthy.

Sounds like it perks you up because you are addicted to sugar, and need to keep topping yourself up throughout the day to function.

A lot more sugary than tea and coffee (assuming no sugar) so I wouldn’t be having multiple cups a day. I hate coffee, and I wish I didn’t as it gives people a boost, but I love tea and drink too much of it

OP I am the same, don't like tea or coffee, love a hot chocolate and drink at least one daily in the winter months!

Well it’s not the same as having a caffeinated drink which I think is what they’re getting at.

My husband wouldn’t dare comment on what I eat or drink. I would just say thank you for your concern, but I do not need your advice. It is not a man’s place to tell a woman what to consume.

Sugar free cola ?
contains caffeine but no sugar or calories.

Unless you’re one of those people with high metabolism who never seem to put on weight.
Of course, you can also get low calorie/ low sugar hot chocolate too.

I lost half a stone in 6 weeks from replacing milky coffees( latte/ flat white) with Americanos. From approx 350 calories each or more, to 10. So certain types of coffee are also not exactly a healthy option

hotchocfiend you’re having it mostly once a day. OP says multiple times a day. Very different!