Below we have provided chocolate milk nutrition facts for whole, reduced-fat, and low-fat varieties. While chocolate milk contains many benefits like high protein and calcium, the biggest concern is the sugar content. As shown in the table below, chocolate milk has approximately 24 grams of sugar per one cup (8 fluid ounces). In comparison, an 8-ounce coca-cola has 26 grams of sugar, which nearly matches the sugar of chocolate milk.
When we are considered the sugar content of chocolate milk we should note that about half of the sugar (12 grams) is from lactose, while the other half is added sugar. Lactose is the natural sugar found in mammal milk and helps the body to absorb essential minerals like calcium and magnesium. Added sugar supplies empty calories and provides very little nutritional benefit.
Despite the sugar, chocolate milk contains the same essential nutrients as regular milk including about 25-30 percent of the recommended daily value of calcium and vitamin D. Obviously, the better choice is non-flavored (regular) milk, but if you don’t care for the taste of regular milk, it may be worth drinking chocolate milk so that you can obtain its beneficial nutrients.
Chocolate Milk Nutrition Facts
| Milk Type | Serving Size | Calories | Total Fat | Saturated Fat | Cholesterol | Sodium | Carbohydrates | Dietary Fiber | Sugars | Protein | Calcium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chocolate (whole milk) | 1 Cup | 208 | 8.5 g | 5.2 g | 30 mg | 150 mg | 25.8 g | 2 g | 23.8 g | 7.9 g | 280 mg |
| Chocolate Milk (Reduced Fat) | 1 Cup | 190 | 4.7 g | 2.9 g | 20 mg | 165 mg | 30.3 g | 1.8 g | 23.8 g | 7.4 g | 272 mg |
| Chocolate Milk (Lowfat) | 1 Cup | 155 | 2.5 g | 1.4 g | 12 mg | 162 mg | 24.6 g | 0.2 g | 24.8 g | 8.6 g | 322 mg |