Healthy Hemp Protein Hot Chocolate

There are few things cozier and more comforting than a warm mug of hot cocoa! 

Turning that drink into protein powder hot chocolate is a great way to sneak some healthy nutrition into your cozy.

If you’re new to hemp protein powder, then you’re in for an extra treat! The nutritional benefits of hemp protein powder are huge, from cardiovascular improvement to better digestion to immune boosting! 

Why not take your favorite wintertime drink to the next level by making it actually GOOD for you? With more nutrition, less sugar, and powerhouse flavor, you’ll never go back to store-bought hot cocoa mix again! 

What has us humming about this healthy hemp protein hot chocolate? 

I bet you’ve never really thought about the fact that hot cocoa in its simplest form actually COULD be healthy for you. Cocoa powder itself can help reduce inflammation, improve blood sugar control, and even make for healthier skin. Plus more! 

The problem with the typical store-bought hot chocolate mix is that it’s often just loaded with added sugars. This is a HUGE problem for health for our society as a whole. 

Foods high in sugar can contribute to the development of diabetes. They can also lead to things like leaky gut syndrome and other digestive issues, not to mention weight gain! 

But THIS protein powder hot chocolate recipe brings back the natural goodness of hot cocoa. By using coconut sugar to sweeten it, you’re consuming a food with a low glycemic index. This means that while it may still have fairly high calories, it triggers less insulin release. This keeps blood sugar levels more steady which helps reduce diabetes risk. 

Plus it adds nutrition to boot if we’re being honest! Let’s look a little deeper into how.

 

 

What are the benefits of hemp protein powder? 

Hemp protein powder offers numerous health benefits including blood sugar regulating, protein, antioxidants, lower cardiovascular risk, and possible weight loss.

In short, hemp can aid in boosting the health of many bodily systems, plus it helps provide a better nutritional balance in your diet. 

Here are the specifics of how hemp protein powder can help improve your health, one cozy cup at a time: 

Regulates blood sugar levels

Hemp helps to regular your blood sugar levels by keeping them more steady over the day. 

By helping level out your insulin secretions, you reduce the risk of developing insulin resistance. Insulin resistance can lead to weight gain and digestion issues, which makes it harder for your body to absorb nutrients. This obviously does not make for a healthy body! 

Offers complete, whole protein

Hemp is a unique superfood. It offers all 20 of the amino acids needed to build every protein within your body. This includes the 9 essential amino acids your body cannot make on its own. 

This high-quality, plant-based protein offers all the protein building blocks your body needs for healthy muscles. These same amino acids are also building blocks to your DNA — hemp even helps keep your genetics running smooth! 

 

 

Reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems

Besides getting sufficient protein to make healthy cells, the other way to improve heart health is by eating healthy fats. Hemp shines in this respect! 

Hemp products have the ideal omega fatty acid ratio, considered “nature’s perfect ratio” — 3:1, omega-6 to omega-3. These fatty acids help keep your cells built and functioning properly. Omega-6 fatty acids in particular can help reduce inflammation. Since some heart conditions are a result of blood vessel inflammation, this is important! 

Hemp is packed with antioxidants

Antioxidants are critical in keeping your cells healthy from a structural standpoint. They also contribute to keeping your immune system running at its best and reducing your cancer risk. 

Hemp products are packed with antioxidants. As a result, you’ll benefit from reductions in inflammation, chronic disease, nervous system disorders, and more. 

May improve weight loss or maintenance

You’re probably thinking that protein powder is what all the bodybuilders use to stay in shape. But it goes beyond just eating enough protein to work out more. Sure, that helps, but that’s not all hemp protein offers. 

Although fat content is lower in hemp protein powder versus other hemp products, it still provides that ideal 3:1 omega ratio. Fat consumption really controls your feeling of fullness after eating. Eating enough healthy fats can help your appetite get under control. THAT is really a big win in terms of weight loss efforts. 

Eating a high-quality, complete protein helps your body to build quality muscle. So yes, you’ll also get a better fat burn when your body has what it needs to build protein. But eating sufficient protein in your day also contributes to satisfying your appetite. 

So you’ll both eat less and burn more fat with enough of this goodness in your healthy diet! 

 

 

 

Healthy Hemp Protein Hot Chocolate Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 Cup almond milk
  • 4 T dairy free dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips (I like to mix 1/2 dark and ½ semi-sweet)
  • 2 T Coconut Sugar
  • 1 T + 2 tsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (I like to use dutch processed cocoa. See why in the note below)
  • ¼ tsp Vanilla Extract
  • ⅛ tsp Peppermint (for Christmas - or anytime!)
  • 1 ½ tsp Hemp Protein Powder
  • Coconut Whipped Cream for topping

Directions: 

  1. Cook milk on high heat for approx. 4-6 minutes until it’s close to a boil, reduce heat to med-low. 
  2. Whisk in chocolate chips, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, peppermint (if using) and hemp protein powder. Continue to heat for an additional 1-2 minutes until desired temperature is reached. 
  3. Pour into mug(s) and top with coconut whipped cream. 

Notes:

  • Feel free to add in a splash of coffee. Protein powder hot chocolate makes a cozy nighttime drink, but add a little caffeine for a bright, healthy morning! 
  • There actually IS a slight difference between natural unsweetened cocoa and dutch processed. Dutch-processed cocoa powder, during processing, becomes less acidic. Natural cocoa powder is processed a little less, and is more acidic, and has a more bitter taste. You’ll get a slightly sweeter AND less acidic cup of cocoa by using the Dutch-processed powder. 

Ready to add more hemp power into your day?  

It’s always a good idea to swap out unhealthy for healthy and worthless for worthwhile. Especially when it comes to your health! 

Here are more recipes to easily sneak more hemp into your day:

Can’t wait to make this hot cocoa for your family tonight? Use our store locator tool to find a grocery store near you with our products! If you can wait a little longer, you can get them delivered right to your doorstep. Shop our website or on Amazon, even wearing your coziest jammies! We won’t tell!   

Tag us on Instagram by tagging with @humminghemp or #humminghemp and show us your coziest cocoa-drinking corner in your home! Happy humming! 

 

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