Why does chocolate milk taste so good?

Last updated 08/03/2024

Thank you to our young writer for this question (or older writer with excellent taste!)

We agree, chocolate milk is absolutely yummy and it’s wonderful to know that you drink milk which is good for a growing body and has health benefits across all stages of life. Chocolate milk tastes so good because it adds rich, smooth cocoa powder or chocolate syrup to plain milk. This tingles your tastebuds, fills up a hungry tummy and is also believed to make your brain feel happy due to the pleasurable drinking experience which reminds you of eating chocolate.

Some parents and carers have questions about chocolate milk and kid’s health so we’ve included some information below.

There’s good evidence on why flavoured milk can be a great addition to school-aged children's diets: 

• Studies show that kids who drink flavoured milk actually consume fewer unhealthy drinks like soft drinks and fruit drinks (drinks that have less than 10% real fruit juice) compared to those who don't drink flavoured milk.[1]

• Research has also found that children who enjoy flavoured milk are more likely to get the important nutrients they need, such as calcium, vitamin A, and phosphorus. Plus, drinking flavoured milk doesn't have a negative impact on their body weight.[2,3,4]

The flavoured milks available in Australia contain no more than 5% added sugar. So, in a 250mL serving, you're looking at about two to three teaspoons of added sugar. Reduced-fat flavoured milks are recommended options for school-aged children based on various school canteen and nutrition guidelines.[5] 

In a nutshell, flavoured milk can be a tasty and nutritious choice that helps kids cut down on sugary drinks and get key nutrients they need for healthy growth. 

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References

[1] Frary C, Johnson R, Wang M. Children and adolescents' choices of foods and beverages high in added sugars are associated with intakes of key nutrients and food groups. J Adoles Health. 2004; 34(1):56-63 

[2] Fayet F, Ridges LA, Wright JK, Petocz P. Australian children who drink milk (plain or flavored) have higher milk and micronutrient intakes but similar body mass index to those who do not drink milk. Nutr Res. 2013;33(2):95-102. 

[3] Murphy MM, Douglass JS, Johnson RK, Spence LA. Drinking flavored or plain milk is positively associated with nutrient intake and is not associated with adverse effects on weight status in US children and adolescents. J Am Diet Assoc. 2008;108(4):631-9. 

[4]. Fayet-Moore F. Effect of flavored milk vs plain milk on total milk intake and nutrient provision in children. Nutr Rev. 2015;74(1):1-17. 

[5] Federation of Canteens in Schools. Buyers Guide. Accessed 16.07.19