Parents short on time at breakfast or during night feeds
If your mornings or nights are busy, you may want a powder that’s easy to measure and put away. Check the packaging and preparation instructions for the product you choose.
Who is this guide for?
Parents keeping an eye on sugar
To compare a standard recipe with a “less sugar” version, check the figures per 100 g of powder, followed by those for the prepared drink, if provided. The ingredients and serving size matter too.
Households looking to manage their stocks
If you make hot chocolate often, a larger pack can mean fewer trips to restock. Still, choose an amount that suits how much you drink and the storage instructions.
What should you look for?
If you’re new parents, start with a serving size and storage option that work for you. Then compare recipes using the same nutritional measure before choosing a pack size.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars and ingredients | Compare the sugars per 100 g of powder and the ingredients list for each version. Don’t confuse this figure with the amount in a prepared drink. | If I want to tell a standard recipe apart from a “less sugar” version, the figure per 100 g helps me compare products on a like-for-like basis. Around 39% of consumers would put checking sugar content at the top of their list. |
| Serving size and storage | Check the serving sizes, preparation instructions and storage advice for the pack you choose. | On busy days, I prefer an amount that’s easy to scoop and a pack that I can put away easily. This convenience would be the main priority for around 38% of consumers. |
| Stock size | Choose the net weight based on how often you drink it and how much storage space you have. | If hot chocolate is a regular treat at home, I want enough powder without leaving an opened pack for too long. Stock size would come ahead of other criteria for around 23% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Ruling out a powder because it doesn’t have a Nutri-Score
According to the European Commission, front-of-pack nutrition labelling is voluntary in the European Union. So, if there’s no Nutri-Score, you should still check the nutrition information.
Compare the sugars per 100 g and the ingredients, whether or not a Nutri-Score is shown.
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Assuming “less sugar” means “sugar-free”
The name of a product variant doesn’t tell you, on its own, how much sugar it contains or which allergens are listed.
Check the nutrition information and ingredients for the exact product, then compare them using the same unit.
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Choosing a large pack without considering how you’ll use it
A larger quantity is only practical if it suits how often you drink it and the space you have to store it.
Check the net weight and storage instructions before deciding how much to keep in the cupboard.
Brands to know when comparing recipes
Nesquik
The range includes standard chocolate-flavoured powders and a “Less Sugar” version.
- Carrefour’s listing for the standard 1 kg tub names sugar as the first ingredient, followed by 23% low-fat cocoa.
- Auchan’s listing for the 350 g “Less Sugar” version gives 25 g of sugars per 100 g of powder. Check its ingredients and allergens too before comparing it with the standard recipe.
Poulain
The Grand Arôme range includes a “Less Sugar” version.
- Carrefour states that the Grand Arôme Less Sugar product featured in its listing contains at least 47% cocoa.
- This product may contain milk and soya. The proportion of cocoa alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar it contains.
Banania
A chocolate-flavoured powder whose recipe, as listed by Carrefour, combines cocoa with cereals, among other ingredients.
- Carrefour’s listing for the 400 g tub states that it contains 19% heavily defatted cocoa, as well as dried banana and honey.
- This recipe includes cereals containing wheat and barley. Check the ingredients on the version you buy if this is important for your household.
Products in different sizes
These products let you compare single-serve sachets with two packs of powder or granules to keep in the cupboard. Compare the serving size, ingredients and quantity to find what suits your consumption.
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DAMTUH Pokémon Sugar Free hot chocolate, 10 x 20 g sachets
Single-serve sachets may suit you if you’d rather make one portion without scooping powder from a large pack. Check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions for this version.
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VAN HOUTEN VH2, cocoa powder, 34%, 1 kg
The 1 kg pack is suited to households that regularly make chocolate drinks and have somewhere suitable to store it. Check the packaging to see what “34%” refers to, as well as the serving size and nutrition information.
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BENCO Less Sugar chocolate granules, 400 g
The 400 g pack may suit you if you prefer to keep a smaller quantity in the cupboard. To assess the Less Sugar version, check its sugars per 100 g and serving size rather than relying on the name alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Nutri-Score required on hot chocolate powder?
No. According to the European Commission, front-of-pack nutrition labelling is voluntary. When comparing powders, check the nutrition information and ingredients list, even if the pack displays a Nutri-Score.
How can I compare a standard powder with a “less sugar” version?
Start by comparing the sugars per 100 g of powder, then consider the serving size and ingredients for each version. A figure given for a prepared drink can only be compared directly with one for another prepared drink on the same basis.
Should I check allergens even when comparing two versions of the same brand?
Yes. Check the ingredients and allergen information for each version. Carrefour listings, for example, show wheat and barley in the 400 g Banania recipe, while Poulain Grand Arôme Less Sugar may contain milk and soya.