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Alice in Dairyland: Milk contains 13 essential nutrients in every serving — and chocolate milk tastes good served warm or cold.

September 1, 2021

3 Min Read
Chocolate milk in a glass carafe and glass mug
FALL TREAT: Chocolate milk is a sweet and satisfying beverage that both children and parents can agree on. Photos courtesy of DFW

Chocolate milk is perfect added into your breakfast routine, as an afternoon snack or heated to warm you up on a chilly fall evening. Not only is chocolate milk delicious, but it also is nutritious. This sweet and satisfying beverage is a treat that children and parents can agree on. 

Growing up, I always enjoyed chocolate milk as a snack or as a way to refuel after athletic activities. I can remember in elementary school having milk breaks and racing my classmates to see who could finish their carton of milk the fastest. Chocolate milk is a fun snack to have at home, and milklife.com has tons of ideas to make it even more fun.

Mealtime favorite

Chocolate milk isn’t just for snack time; it can be incorporated into almost any meal. One great way that chocolate milk can be added to breakfast is right on top of your cereal. You can also make Chocolate Milk Overnight Oats. Fill your cup with oats, chia seeds and a pinch of salt, and add in chocolate milk. In the morning, this delectable dish will be ready and waiting for you. It is perfect topped with chocolate chips!

Another breakfast chocolate milk recipe is Chocolate Pumpkin Pancakes. This recipe is sure to satisfy the pumpkin and chocolate lovers in your home. It makes delicious pancakes — and my mom used the leftover batter to make muffins. (If you do this, you may want to add some extra sweetness. I’d recommend sugar, honey or maple syrup.)

Julia Nunes with chocolate milk and cereal

Milk contains 13 essential nutrients in every serving, including protein, zinc, selenium, vitamin A and vitamin D, which contribute to healthy immune function. Dairy foods like cheese and yogurt also provide high-quality protein, calcium, vitamin A, B vitamins and more! The high-quality protein found in dairy helps to build strong muscles while calcium works to strengthen bones and teeth. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that people age 9 and older include three servings of low-fat and fat-free dairy foods in their diet, and chocolate milk can serve as one of the three.

Not only is chocolate milk great to incorporate into meals, it can also be used as a recovery aid for athletes. Milk and milk’s protein have been shown to help athletes gain more lean muscle and lose fat when compared to drinking a carb-only beverage as part of a regular workout and recovery routine. Chocolate milk helps to refuel and rebuild muscles after a strenuous work out. Learn more at builtwithchocolatemilk.com.

As temperatures begin to cool, chocolate milk in the form of hot chocolate (topped with whipped cream) is the perfect treat to warm you up! While you are in the dairy section of the grocery store, be sure to look for the Proudly Wisconsin badge or the number 55 on milk cartons to ensure you are buying fresh, locally produced chocolate milk from right here in Wisconsin.

Nunes is the 74th Wisconsin Alice in Dairyland.

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