Chocolate Milk Nutrition Facts: 13 Essential Nutrients & More
This article was reviewed by Megan Maisano, MS, RDN.
Flavored milk is a nutritious option for kids, teens and adults to enjoy while getting the same 13 essential nutrients found in unflavored milk. Many kids don’t get enough calcium, vitamin D and potassium in their diets, prompting concerns among public health officials. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Academy of Pediatrics recognize that a small amount of added sugars, which fall within the daily calorie limit, can be used to make nutrient-rich foods such as low-fat flavored milk more appealing.
Chocolate milk is higher in calories and carbohydrates than regular milk because it is sweetened with cocoa and sugar. One 8-ounce glass of chocolate milk has about 120-160 calories and 21-26 grams of carbohydrates including 8-13 grams of added sugar. School flavored milk is often lower in calories and sugar than store-bought flavored milk. Read on to learn the daily value, or DV, of each nutrient in 8 oz. of low-fat chocolate milk.
Nutrients in Chocolate Milk and White Milk
- Calcium: Helps build and maintain strong bones and teeth, 25% DV
- Protein: Helps build and repair tissue. Helps maintain a healthy immune system, 9 grams
- Vitamin D: Helps build and maintain strong bones and teeth. Helps maintain a healthy immune system, 15% DV
- Vitamin A: Helps keep skin and eyes healthy; helps promote growth. Helps maintain a healthy immune system, 15% DV
- Pantothenic Acid (B5): Helps your body use carbohydrates, fats and protein for fuel, 20% DV
- Vitamin B12: Helps maintain healthy immune, blood and nervous system function. Supports normal energy metabolism. Necessary for brain development during pregnancy and infancy; linked to cognitive function in childhood, 25% DV
- Riboflavin (B2): Helps your body use carbohydrates, fats and protein for fuel, 50% DV
- Phosphorus: Helps build and maintain strong bones and teeth, supports tissue growth, 20% DV
- Iodine: Necessary for proper bone and brain development during pregnancy and infancy; linked to cognitive function in childhood.
- Selenium: Helps maintain a healthy immune system, helps regulate metabolism and helps protect healthy cells from damage, 10% DV
- Zinc: Helps maintain a healthy immune system, helps support normal growth and development and helps maintain healthy skin, 10% DV
- Potassium: Helps maintain a healthy blood pressure and supports heart health. Helps regulate body fluid balance and helps maintain normal muscle function, 15% DV
- Niacin (B3): Used in energy metabolism in the body, 15% DV
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