Nesquik is a product that has been around in the United States for a very long time, and its chocolaty flavor is something that so many of us feel nostalgic about to this day. It is a product that is present worldwide, and children absolutely adore this treat. However, many people wonder – is Nesquik healthy? We did some digging and found the answers we would like to share with you.
The specific smell and unique taste of Nesquick warmed many houses, and it is a widely adored product across the globe. It is rich in some nutrients that are highly beneficial for kids’ growth, but it also contains lots of sugar, which raises concerns about how healthy it actually is. In this article, we will resolve these dilemmas and go in depth about Nesquik nutritive value and content. So, let us begin.
Contents
How Healthy Is Nesquik?
Nesquik is healthy only if you consume it in moderate doses. Consuming this product in excess doses can lead to serious health issues such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
With that said, adding three tablespoons of chocolate Nesquik powder will provide you with a portion that has more than 20 grams of sugar. This amount can lead to severe health complications such as high blood sugar levels, brain problems, inflammation, and, of course, obesity.
Inflammation can cause a wide variety of other issues, such as infertility, tiredness, and low energy levels. Nesquik powder also contains Carrageenan, which is an ingredient that can cause inflammation, stomachache, and hyperactivity. A single bottle of Nesquik chocolate milk powder contains 160 calories, 2.4 grams of fat, and 1.5 grams of trans fat.
Does Nesquik Have Some Healthy Properties?
Whenever some type of food or drink has a lot of added sugar, health experts will generally discourage you from consuming it. However, sugar is not the only ingredient in Nesquik, and you can find some healthy and nutritive content in it. There are also some nice benefits that come with it, and we listed some of them in the section below.
It Creates an Appetite for Milk
Some children and adults do not like drinking plain milk, but they do enjoy flavored milkshakes. With that said, string some chocolate, banana, or strawberry Nesquik in a glass of milk, and your kids will certainly drink it. This way, kids will get the required nutrients from milk and enjoy every bit of it.
There Are Antioxidants From Cocoa
Cocoa is one of the primary ingredients in Nesquik chocolate-flavored powder, syrup, and chocolate milk. In case you did not know, cocoa is a fantastic antioxidant. A plant-based substance from cocoa called flavonols contains antioxidants that can prevent cell damage in your body.
Ready-To-Drink Milkshakes Are Rich in Nutrients
Although powders and syrups are not particularly rich in essential micronutrients, Nesquik flavored milk offers plenty of them. A single serving of eight oz of low-fat chocolate milk delivers eight grams of protein and a whopping 32 percent of the daily value of calcium.
Fourteen oz of low-fat strawberry milk delivers fourteen grams of protein, 56 percent of the daily value of calcium, 22 percent of the daily value for vitamin D, and 29 percent of vitamin A. Vitamin D ensures the body can effectively absorb calcium, and calcium is essential for bones health.
As far as protein goes, it is pretty much self-explanatory, as it is one of the most important nutrients every child and adult needs.
Nesquik Is a Great Post-workout Treat
Treating yourself to any Nesquik flavor after a workout will not mess up your fitness progress, at least if you consume it in moderation. Nesquik drinks have an excellent carbohydrate-to-protein ratio, which is needed to reinstate muscle glycogen levels after you are done working out.
Many fitness experts label Nesquik as “the best recovery drink you can find in today’s market.” Some studies show that the consumption of chocolate milk can help you perform better in sports rather than drinking unflavored milk.
Sugar content in Nesquik chocolate milk and powder also works well for certain fitness goals, as carbs in sugar can help you restore energy after intense workout sessions.
There Are No Harmful Artificial Ingredients
Unlike most processed foods, Nesquik is not jam-packed with artificial ingredients. The manufacturer’s label states that their products do not contain artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners.
Nesquik also does not contain high-fructose corn syrup, and excessive use of this particular ingredient can cause inflammation, which further leads to various health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
Reasons Why You Should Avoid Nesquik
Although there are multiple health benefits that Nesquik can bring to the table, it is still not considered a healthy beverage, and you should consume it in moderation. Here are some of the main reasons why you should avoid this product.
It Is a Processed Drink
Nesquik powder drinks and syrups are highly processed. This type of processing method removes the good nutrients from the finished product and replaces them with artificial nutrients.
The Nesquik chocolate powder contains an ingredient named cocoa processed alkali. It is a processed cocoa bean that gives the powder a better color and a lighter flavor to make it less acidic and more soluble. However, processing cocoa using this method damages the flavonols present in them.
It Contains Added Sugar
The biggest health issue revolving around Nesquik drink powders and syrups is the amount of added sugar it contains. One tablespoon of chocolate powder or chocolate syrup has 12 grams of added sugar, which is half of the recommended amount of added sugar for kids.
Consuming this amount of sugar alongside other sources is a lot and is nowhere near healthy. A regular intake of excess sugar can lead to obesity, increased risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes. It is also important to mention that sugar is bad for teeth and can lead to decay, which is something you do not want happening to your child at a young age.
Sugar Substitute
The “no sugar added” version of the Nesquik chocolate drink uses maltodextrin as a sugar substitute. It is a heavily processed carbohydrate and has a high glycemic index; in fact, it is much higher than your regular table sugar.
Foods that contain maltodextrin can damage the balance of bacteria in the human stomach, which increases the risk of catching bacterial diseases.
Final Words
Nesquik is generally safe to consume if it is done in moderation, and it can bring multiple benefits to the human body. However, it is jam-packed with added sugars that are one of the main causes of high blood sugar, heart disease, tooth decay, and many other health problems.
Although delicious and, in some cases, nutritive, beware of this drink and make sure that your kids consume it in smaller doses.
Steve is a certified trainer with more than 10 years of training experience and he holds a Master’s in Sports Science. Prior to Boston Rock Gym, Steve worked for two years as a personal trainer.