I am a massive fan of chocolate milk – it was my go-to post game drink back in my hockey days, and the delicious flavor holds true to this day!
It’s also one of more popular types of milk, essentially being a sweeter and chocolate version of regular milk. There are a couple of things you want to be aware of with this delicious milk, however, as it may not be suitable or the best choice for everyone…
Speaking of choices, we’re going to compare chocolate milk to buttermilk, taking a close look at how this sweet flavored milk fares against a tangy and slightly thicker milk popular in baking – then, we’ll know exactly which one is better: chocolate milk or buttermilk?
Let’s check them out!
Comparing chocolate milk vs buttermilk
Chocolate milk and buttermilk are both animal-based, and they each have milk as an allergen. Neither of them are suited for vegan, paleo, or keto diets, and you’re out of luck if you have a milk allergy – check out something like almond milk if that’s the case!
Chocolate milk (2%) | Buttermilk (lowfat/1%) | |
Type | Animal-based | Animal-based |
Allergens | Milk | Milk |
Vegan? | No | No |
Paleo? | No | No |
Keto? | No | No |
Differences between chocolate milk and buttermilk
The biggest difference between chocolate milk and buttermilk are their flavors and textures.
Chocolate milk has a sweet and chocolatey flavor. It usually contains some sort of chocolate flavoring like cocoa, and also has a lot of added sugar in it. It’s also a fair bit higher in calories than buttermilk, but we’ll explore their nutritional profiles later.
Buttermilk has more of a tangy and sour flavor, and is mainly used in adding moisture and tenderness to different dishes. It has a creamier texture than chocolate milk, with both milks having a smooth and luxurious mouthfeel to them. Buttermilk is made very similar to how kefir is made – a probiotic culture is added to pasteurized or homogenized milk, which ferments it.
Chocolate milk is also much better suited as a stand alone drink, while buttermilk is better for baking and cooking.
How to use chocolate milk vs buttermilk
Here are a couple ways to get the most out of these two milks:
Chocolate milk:
- Enjoy a tall glass for a tasty refreshment.
- Add it to your coffee for a chocolatey twist.
- Use it in your smoothies.
- Make pancake or waffle batter with it.
- Blend it with ice cream and peanut butter for a delicious treat.
- Incorporate it into different chocolate-based recipes.
Buttermilk:
- Tenderize meat.
- Add moisture to things like pancakes, cookies, and moist cakes.
- Use as a base for dressings and dips.
- Use as marinades and brines.
Can you substitute chocolate milk for buttermilk?
In theory you could, but this becomes quite tricky in practice…
They’re very different in terms of flavor, and will drastically change whatever recipe you’re swapping them out in. Buttermilk also tends to be aimed at baking and cooking, which chocolate milk is a bit less effective in, and it’s unlikely that you’d enjoy a cold glass of buttermilk the way you would with chocolate milk. Plus, a lot of recipes specifically call for buttermilk for its specific flavor.
Nutrition: Chocolate milk vs buttermilk
Chocolate milk has 220 calories per serving as compared to buttermilk’s 120, and it’s a bit higher in fat as well. The carbs is where things begin to get really different, with chocolate milk boasting 33 grams per serving, giving it one of the highest carb contents out of all milks. Buttermilk has a decent amount too, with 15 grams per serving.
You should keep an eye on chocolate milk for its added sugar content, as it has 16 grams of added sugar for a total of 31 grams per serving. Buttermilk has 11 grams per serving, and both are similar in protein.
Chocolate milk and buttermilk are both good in calcium and vitamin D contents, and it’s important to note that some of these values can change depending on the fat percentage of each milk that you get. We’re referencing 2% chocolate milk and 1% buttermilk in this comparison.
Also, buttermilk has some probiotics, which are a nice benefit!
Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.) | Chocolate milk (2%) | Buttermilk (lowfat/1%) |
Calories | 220 | 120 |
Total fat (saturated) | 5 g (3.5 g) | 2.5 g (2 g) |
Total carbs | 33 g | 15 g |
Total sugars (incl. added) | 31 g (16 g) | 11 g (0 g) |
Protein | 11 g | 10 g |
Calcium | 30% DV | 25% DV |
Vit D | 15% DV | 10% DV |
How to store chocolate milk and buttermilk
You should store chocolate milk in the fridge, as that’ll help prevent it from spoiling too soon. Keep it out of the heat and direct sunlight, and make sure you close the lid on it when you’re done with it.
Buttermilk should also be stored in the fridge for the same reasons, and it can be kept in the fridge for up to 7 days if it’s unopened. However, try to finish it between 3-14 days after opening it, and keep it under 6 days for general best taste.
Chocolate milk vs buttermilk: Which is better?
Chocolate milk provides a delicious sweet and chocolatey flavor that goes great paired with things like coffee, smoothies, pancake batter, and as a stand alone drink. It has a lot of added sugar that’s important to keep an eye on, but it’s very tasty!
Buttermilk is another great choice, having a decent nutritional profile as compared to chocolate milk, and it has some wonderfully unique uses like tenderizing meat and moistening bakes.
Both milks are great, and I think that you should consider what you would use them for when deciding between these, but the overall win goes to chocolate milk for being more versatile and more appropriate for a stand alone drink!
FAQs
The main difference is the chocolate flavoring in chocolate milk. This also includes a lot more sugar.
Chocolate milk has a lot of calories and sugar, but it has the essential nutrients found in regular milk. Keep it in moderation.
Buttermilk is fermented and tangy, and also has a lower fat content and a slightly higher protein content.
Many different types of milk like raw cow milk, cashew milk, and almond milk have unique pros and cons, so I recommend doing some research to find out which milk fits best with your needs! Or, consult a healthcare professional.
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