3 Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipes That Block Fat Storage, Boost Metabolism, and Steady Blood Sugar

These decadent delights are packed with powerful polyphenols that help you look and feel your best. Find out how these three healthy hot chocolate recipes are not only delicious but good for you as well!

Blocks Fat Storage

Polyphenols in cocoa powder help reduce the absorption of carbohydrates and fat into the blood stream. In fact, in a study at Penn State University, subjects on a high-fat diet who took cocoa extract gained up to 72 percent less weight than those who didn’t consume the sweet add-in.

Boosts Metabolism

Cocoa-filled drinks deliver plant compounds that activate the body’s process of burning calories for heat, effortlessly boosting metabolism by 11 percent. The payoff: University of California, San Diego, researchers found that folks who enjoyed chocolate five days a week weighed up to 7 pounds less than those who didn’t indulge.

Steadies Blood Sugar

Sipping a sweet hot cocoa can cut your risk of developing diabetes in half. According to a study in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, the catechins in cocoa improve the pancreas’ ability to produce blood sugar — regulating insulin, effects that improved subjects’ blood-sugar control by 14 percent in just 24 hours.

Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipes

Peanut Butter Cocoa Bliss

• ½ cup almond milk
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 2 teaspoons honey

In mug, whisk all ingredients; microwave 1–2 minutes. Garnish as desired.

Makes 1 serving.

Bonus: Healthy fats in peanut butter reduce brain fog by 41 percent!

Coffee Cocoa Contentment

• ½ cup milk
• 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoon sugar
• ¼ teaspoon instant coffee
• 1⁄8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In mug, whisk first four ingredients. Microwave until hot, 1–2 minutes. Sprinkle with cinnamon; garnish as desired.

Makes 1 serving.

Bonus: The aroma of cinnamon slashes anxiety by 25 percent!

Coconut-Chai Surprise

• ½ cup unsweetened coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons turbinado sugar
• 1⁄8 teaspoon chai spice
• 1⁄8 teaspoon vanilla extract

In mug, whisk together all ingredients; microwave until hot, 1–2 minutes. Stir. Garnish as desired.

Makes 1 serving.

Bonus: MCFAs in coconut milk boost satiety for 4 hours!

A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, First for Women.