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Homemade Mocha Latte

As the weather gets colder, we look for any way to warm up. Try out our Homemade Mocha Latte to cure the cold weather blues! 

High calorie and delicious, this Homemade Mocha Latte is a great way to start the morning or as an afternoon treat, cozied up next to a fire. It is high in protein and easy to whip up!

High Calorie Drinks 

This Homemade Mocha Latte is high calorie and high protein! High calorie drinks are a great way to increase your daily calorie intake. Many people struggle with gaining and/or maintaining weight, and can benefit from high calorie recipes. 

By adding in high calorie snacks and drinks, it makes it easier to intake enough calories throughout the day without having to eat a lot of food. 

High calorie drinks, like this Homemade Mocha Latte, are even better because they do not require chewing which is helpful for those who struggle with chewing or swallowing from certain diseases or medical reasons.  

If you’re looking for more high calorie drinks, check out our Vanilla Tea Latte!

Benefits of Milk 

This Homemade Mocha Latte uses whole milk to keep the recipe high calorie and high protein. If you are dairy free, oat milk, coconut milk or another plant based milks are also delicious options, though lower in calories and protein. 

There are many benefits to drinking cow’s milk, even whole fat milk! Many people today are opting for other milk options like oat, soy, almond, or even pistachio and macadamia nut milk. Cow’s milk has gotten a bad reputation in the last few years, but there are health benefits to milk for children and even adults!

Whole cow’s milk is high in protein and calcium, and usually fortified with vitamin D. It contains complete proteins which means it contains all 9 of the essential amino acids we need for our body. 

Milk also contains vitamin B12, an important vitamin for DNA synthesis and metabolism, which many vegans end up deficient in and vegetarians are able to get by eating dairy products.  

Drinking milk has been associated with reduced risks of chronic diseases like obesity, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and certain cancers. It also has a positive impact on bone density and contains many nutrients that average Americans can become deficient in. 

Choosing plant based milks like nut or legume milks and oat milk can also be a great lactose free alternative. When choosing your plant based milks they will vary in nutritional value and protein content and there are sugar and no sugar options. They will also be lower in protein and do not contain the same nutrient composition as milk does. 

Look for low sugar, fortified non dairy milk options when choosing alternative milks! Oat milk and coconut milk are great options if you are looking for a similar thick texture or need the milk to froth well, like for this Homemade Mocha Latte. 

Why Protein is Important  

Protein is an important part of our diet and is necessary for muscle function and growth. In older adults, weight and muscle loss can occur and incorporating protein into the diet can help to combat muscle loss. 

Another great reason to eat protein is that it keeps you full longer! Having a high protein meal can keep you from being hungry a few hours later. This Homemade Mocha Latte is high in protein from the addition of whole milk! 

If you want to learn more about protein or protein malnutrition, check out this article from our sister website The Geriatric Dietitian!

What You Need to Know About Caffeine

This Homemade Mocha Latte contains caffeine from the added coffee/espresso. There are many myths and misconceptions about caffeine, yet coffee is still one of the most widely consumed beverages. There are actually some health benefits to consuming coffee!

Coffee itself comes from a genus of plants called Coffea and contains many different compounds including caffeine. The plant compounds found in coffee and tea, called polyphenols, have been found to be beneficial to health.

Regular coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, lower risk of inflammation, lower risk of heart disease or stroke, and many other benefits. Even with many benefits, there are still reasons to consume coffee or caffeine in moderation. 

Drinking too many cups of coffee in a day (more than 400 mg of caffeine) can increase symptoms of anxiety like increased heart rate. Having coffee too late in the day can also disrupt your sleep, even if you have a high tolerance to caffeine. Try consuming caffeine within morning hours to make sure you can get a good night’s rest. 

Another consideration when drinking coffee is that it can irritate your stomach or suppress your appetite temporarily. Consume coffee and caffeine in moderation and avoid pairing it with too much sugar!

Homemade Mocha Latte Ingredients 

With just a few ingredients, you can have a delicious latte in no time! 

• Chocolate syrup
• Whole milk
• Strongly brewed coffee or espresso
• Whipped cream

How to Make Homemade Mocha Latte

Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until it comes to a simmer, about 5 minutes. While the milk is simmering, pour the chocolate syrup into a mug. Next, pour in the hot coffee or espresso and stir until the chocolate syrup is dissolved. 

Now pour the steamed milk over the coffee and stir to combine. Top with whipped cream and drizzle with chocolate syrup. Enjoy! 

Let’s Check Out the Homemade Mocha Latte Recipe!