How to Make Healthy Low-Sugar Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Do you find yourself craving sweet drinks? It simply does not feel like winter without making some delicious hot chocolate.I love hot chocolate, but I dislike all the pre-packaged cocoa packets because of all the added sugar in them. Well, what if I told you you could have this tasty drink without all the unnecessary added refined sugars?Well, I did exactly that with this recipe. My peppermint low sugar hot chocolate is just as delicious and more nutritious than the packaged brands.This holiday drink recipe is festive, cozy, and delicious and does not disappoint. Try my healthy hot chocolate recipe made with raw cacao today.

There's just something comforting and warms the soul to have a delicious mug of hot chocolate while it's cold outside. Peppermint and chocolate are my two favorite flavor combinations during the holiday season. This is perfect to drink while you decorate the tree with your family. Also, consider topping this low sugar healthy hot chocolate recipe with my homemade gut healthy peppermint marshmallows.

Ingredients for Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipe

Raw Cacao Powder: This ingredient will replace your typical cocoa powder. Read below for all the health benefits of raw cacao.

Milk of Choice: I prefer almond milk for the added protein content, while also keeping the hot cacao dairy free.

Medjool Dates: These give a natural sweetness to the hot cocoa recipe.

Peppermint Extract: Obviously, if you want a peppermint flavor, use the peppermint extract, but if you want to change things up, try making it without. A dash is all you need.

Vanilla Extract: Don't leave this vanilla flavor out, it rounds out the cocoa flavor perfectly.

Cacao Health & Beauty Benefits

Cacao is a great source of antioxidants and a good source of dietary fiber. It is also rich in flavonols and polyphenols. That is why I love using this superfood in place of regular cocoa in many of my recipes.

Cacao is not heavily processed like most chocolate. The beans are harvested from the cacao trees typically found in South America. Regular cocoa powder derives from cacao beans, but while making cocoa powder it is processed at very high temperatures, which results in losing some of its nutrients.

Cacao powder is processed at lower temperatures to retain the nutritional value. This is why I prefer cacao powder over typical cocoa powder. Also, most cocoa powders you find in the stores contain added sugars. When making my low sugar peppermint hot chocolate, you can always add your own alternatives for refined sugar.

LOWER SUGAR CONSUMPTION

When you are trying to lower your sugar consumption, it's best to find ways to eliminate those unnecessary added sugars. You can always control the sweetness by adding your own sugars to recipes or using natural sweeteners, such as dates, maple syrup, or honey. You can read more about lowering your sugar intake in my article alternatives for refined sugar.

Another bonus to consuming cacao is that it helps to energize anyone who eats it. The Aztecs would use cacao beans as a form of currency. They used to call it Theobroma cacao, "the food of the gods". The brain secretes the same feel-good hormones similar to a runner's high. Consuming cacao helps boost the brain of chemical hormones, serotonin, dopamine, and anandamide. This creates a blissful state in the mind.

If you would like to try out some of my other recipes containing raw cacao, superfood, try my peppermint black bean brownies or my low-sugar raspberry smoothie.

CACAO KEY NUTRIENTS

Antioxidants | Flavanols | Epicatechin | Catechin | Procyanidins | Fiber | Copper | Magnesium | Iron | Manganese | Phosphorus | Zinc

Learn to Make a Low Sugar Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe

📖 Recipe

Enjoy This Healthy Raw Cacao Low Sugar Hot Chocolate Recipe!

If you make this low sugar healthy hot chocolate recipe, let me know in the comment section below. I would also love to hear what you think, or take a photo and tag me @Eat_Your_Nutrition on Instagram.

I love seeing your photos. #EatYourNutrition #LauraVillanueva