It’s hard to think of anything better than the delicious creamy and sweet beverage that is chocolate milk – I mean, there’s almost no one that doesn’t like it!
However, oat milk is a strong challenger – it boasts a creamy texture, has a tasty and versatile flavor, has absolutely no allergens, and has a solid nutritional profile! But is it better than chocolate milk?
We’ll place these two into the boxing ring, watching them battle it out in things like flavors, culinary uses, nutritional profiles, and more, until just one milk is left standing! Then, you’ll ultimately see which one is the better choice for you!
Let’s jump in!
Comparing chocolate milk vs oat milk
Chocolate milk is animal-based, while oat milk is plant-based and a popular dairy-alternative. You won’t be able to enjoy chocolate milk if you’re allergic to milk or lactose intolerant, while oat milk boasts an allergy and lactose-free experience!
Neither milk is suitable for paleo or keto diets, but oat milk fits into vegan diets.
| Chocolate milk (2%) | Oat milk | |
| Type | Animal-based | Plant-based (grain) |
| Allergens | Milk | None |
| Vegan? | No | Yes |
| Paleo? | No | No |
| Keto? | No | No |
Differences between chocolate milk and oat milk
The main difference between chocolate milk and oat milk is where they come from.
Chocolate milk is basically regular milk that contains chocolate flavoring like cocoa, along with a bunch of sugar. It’s sweet and chocolatey, and boasts a creamy texture similar to regular milk. You can easily make it at home!
Oat milk comes from oats, which are blended with water to give us a mild, slightly sweet, and creamy milk. It sometimes has things like vanilla extract and guar gum added to enhance the taste and texture, along with vitamins and minerals to boost its nutritional profile. You can make oat milk at home quite easily!
How to use chocolate milk vs oat milk
Use your chocolate milk and oat milk in these tasty ways:
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.
Oat milk:
- Enjoy it as a dairy-free beverage.
- Add it to your cereal and oatmeal.
- Pair it with your favorite pancake recipe.
- Put it in your coffee.
- Make smoothies with it.
Can you substitute chocolate milk for oat milk?
Technically, you can use these two interchangeably. That said, they have very different flavor profiles that will affect your dishes very differently! However, that just means it’ll be a lot of fun experimenting with substituting these out for one another, as you’ll get a ton of different flavors in different dishes!
You could, of course, add chocolate or a chocolate flavoring to oat milk to more closely resemble chocolate milk (you’ll want to note what’s in the chocolate add-on if you’re using oat milk to avoid certain ingredients/allergens).
Nutrition: Chocolate milk vs oat milk
Chocolate milk is very high in sugar, and has a ton of it added as well – oat milk has no sugar at all! Chocolate milk is also way higher in calories with 220 per serving, while oat milk only has 45 per serving. You’ll also find more fat, carbs, and protein in chocolate milk. Both are overall decent sources of calcium and vitamin D.
| Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.) | Chocolate milk (2%) | Oat milk |
| Calories | 220 | 45 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 5 g (3.5 g) | 0.5 g (0 g) |
| Total carbs | 33 g | 8 g |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 31 g (16 g) | 0 g |
| Protein | 11 g | 1 g |
| Calcium | 30% DV | 25% DV |
| Vit D | 15% DV | 20% DV |
How to store chocolate milk and oat milk
Store your chocolate milk in the fridge, and keep it sealed so that it doesn’t take on any flavors or odors floating around in your fridge. It generally lasts around 7 days, but be sure to follow the best before date on the label!
Oat milk can be stored at room temperature for up to 1-4 months if unopened and in an aseptic container – double check the best before date and any specific storage instructions on the label! Put it in the fridge after opening and then finish it within 7-10 days.
Chocolate milk vs oat milk: Which is better?
As you can see, both milks have advantages and disadvantages over one another.
For one, chocolate milk tastes delicious and has a lot of protein, but it also has a ton of sugar, calories, and carbs. Oat milk, on the other hand, is low calorie, low sugar, and doesn’t have as many carbs. However, it’s very poor in protein.
Chocolate milk is very tasty and has its purposes, but oat milk takes the overall win for being allergy-free, low in sugar and calories, and being more versatile overall.
FAQs
Oat milk has some healthy qualities such as low calories, no saturated fat, no sugar, and calcium and vitamin D contents!
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.
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