Nikki Yelton is an Integrative & Functional Medicine Registered Dietitian Nutritionist serving clients worldwide. She offers a personalized functional medicine approach to helping women with GI distress and autoimmune conditions to get to the root cause of the symptoms holding them back so that they can start living the extraordinary life they dream of with more energy, purpose, and joy!
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This Bone Broth Hot Chocolate recipe is not only nutritious and good for you, it’s delicious! You’ll love how creamy and decadent it is– all while containing hidden protein and nutrients in the bone broth.
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I’ve been making this bone broth hot chocolate recipe for years, and there’s nothing quite like it on a cold Winter day. As if hot chocolate wasn’t good on its own, why not make it even better by adding nutritious and delicious liquid gold: bone broth!?
While adding bone broth to your hot chocolate recipe might seem unusual, hear me out. Then, you can thank me later! My clients love this recipe, and I know you will, too!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS BONE BROTH HOT CHOCOLATE
This Bone Broth Hot Chocolate recipe is not only nutritious and good for you, it’s delicious! You’ll love how creamy and decadent it is– all while containing hidden protein and nutrients in the bone broth. It’s a win-win!
HEALTH BENEFITS OF BONE BROTH
Nutrient-dense bone broth is packed with many health benefits. It contains various essential nutrients, but it’s primarily known for its healing effects on gut health, extra protein content, and immune-supporting benefits.
Supports Healthy Gut Lining
High-quality bone broth is rich in collagen and gelatin, both of which are beneficial to healing the gut. Gelatin has been shown to improve the gut microbiota and reduce inflammation. Collagen also has the ability to alter the gut microbiota while increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and acting as a source of prebiotics.
Bone broth is naturally rich in amino acids, including glycine, glutamine, and proline. These essential amino acids are known for their healing properties, which help reduce inflammation in the gut and strengthen the intestinal wall.
In addition, bone broth soothes the gut lining to provide digestive and bowel rest during stress. One of my favorite features of bone broth is that it contains naturally occurring electrolytes. It makes a great healthy Gatorade alternative when you are experiencing loss of electrolytes due to illness, sweat, or high stress.
Natural Immune Defender
The impressive nutrient profile of bone broth can give your immune system an additional boost when needed. It’s packed with the master antioxidant (glutathione) to support drainage and detox pathways. Our grandparents grew up on homemade chicken soup with broth as a staple for getting over a cold!
In addition, bone broth is high in vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin K, and vitamin A, which support energy and metabolism.
Joint, Bone, Skin, and Nail Support
One of the most popular benefits of bone broth is its effects on your joints, hair, skin, and nails. These “beauty benefits” are all thanks to its high collagen content.
Collagen is naturally found in our connective tissues, including our joints, skin, hair, and nails. Our bodies naturally produce collagen, but many factors, such as aging, can cause a decrease in production. One study showed that collagen supplementation increased nail growth by 12%!
I always tell my clients consuming nutrient-dense bone broth is similar to sipping liquid gold for the gut. Its health benefits run far and wide, from the inside of your gut to the tips of your fingernails!
WHAT MAKES THIS HOT CHOCOLATE SO NUTRIENT-DENSE?
Bone broth might be the star ingredient in this Bone Broth Hot Chocolate recipe, but it’s also packed with other nutrient-dense ingredients, such as:
Coconut Milk: Coconut milk contains healthy fats high in medium-chain triglycerides, which help stabilize blood sugar levels, and electrolytes, which improve hydration. This nutrient-dense, dairy-free option is an ideal milk alternative for improving gut health.
Raw Milk: Unlike homogenized and pasteurized milk, raw milk contains natural enzymes, minerals, and A2 protein, making it easily digestible.
Cacao Powder: Cacao powder is rich in antioxidants and magnesium. Some may even call it a superfood.
Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup is a natural sweetener that is unrefined and lower on the glycemic index (compared to white table sugar).
Sea Salt- Unrefined Celtic sea salt is an essential electrolyte that aids in hydration and electrolyte balance.
Bone Broth: Bone broth is rich in many nutrients, including collagen, essential minerals, amino acids, and more.
Note About Milk
Some of my clients will swap coconut milk for raw milk. This is my favorite way to enjoy bone broth hot chocolate. Remember that adding raw milk is typically not tolerated if you have compromised gut function. Once you heal your gut, adding dairy, such as raw whole milk and cream, becomes easier to break down and digest.
Unlike homogenized and pasteurized milk, raw milk contains natural enzymes, minerals, and A2 protein, making it easily digestible.
Together, all of these nutrient-dense ingredients make for a very nutritious treat. Who knew hot chocolate could be so good for you?
HOW TO MAKE BONE BROTH HOT CHOCOLATE
Luckily, this recipe is as easy to make as it is nutritious. Once you’ve gathered all of your ingredients, follow the steps below:
Extra Flavor: Add a splash of pure vanilla extract or ½ teaspoon vanilla powder for additional flavor.
No matter how you prefer your hot chocolate, this recipe is customizable. You can do it your way! Add honey instead of maple syrup, peppermint leaves to support digestion or even a dollop of coconut whipped cream!
TIPS FOR SOURCING HIGH-QUALITY INGREDIENTS
As with all recipes and supplements, quality matters. So, how can you find the highest quality supplements for your hot chocolate?
Choose High-Quality Bone Broth
FONDbone broth is my go-to because it is the product of regenerative farming. Regenerative farming is even more nutrient-dense than organic and pasture-raised products. FOND contains the most bioavailable nutrients possible, and they have many low FODMAP options and options for those with different food sensitivities.
Another good option is to use bone broth protein powder. This will slightly change the consistency, and you’ll end up with a nice, thick, creamy hot chocolate!
When choosing your source of chocolate, opt for cacao over cocoa. Cacao is the raw, unprocessed form of chocolate, while cocoa is the processed or roasted form. Given its raw state, cacao contains more nutrients than cocoa, such as antioxidants and magnesium.
Swapping cane sugar, stevia, or monk fruit for natural sweeteners is always best for gut health. My top five recommended natural sweeteners are here!
Choose Raw Milk or Coconut Milk
I’m an advocate for sourcing high-quality, raw milk. As mentioned, raw milk contains more enzymes to help the body digest and absorb nutrients. Farm Match helps connect milk farmers and consumers. Look for a local farm that offers 100% organic, grass-fed raw milk.
Opt for a dairy-free alternative: full-fat, organic, unsweetened canned coconut milk. The only ingredients should be organic coconut, water, and sea salt. Malk is also a great brand you can buy from a grocery store.
By opting for high-quality ingredients, you can make your bone broth hot chocolate one of the healthiest drinks to improve your gut health!
WRAPPING IT ALL UP
You might be surprised to learn that hot chocolate can be healthy and nutrient-dense! You can nourish your gut while satisfying your taste buds by using bone broth and other high-quality ingredients, such as coconut milk and cacao.
Don’t be afraid to make this Bone Broth Hot Chocolate recipe your own. Add your favorite boosters and discover which ingredients you enjoy most!
If you are struggling with your gut health and ready for personalized support, I would love to support you! I help you get to the root cause and uncover real answers that lead to lasting results so you can live your best life!
P.S. If you try this recipe, let me know what you think and if you customize it differently based on your taste preferences. I would love to hear from you!
"When it comes to balancing our body, healing the gut, reversing autoimmunity, and achieving optimal health—we are a lot like a car that won’t run right. In order to fix the problem once and for all instead of relying on jumper cables, we must get underneath the hood, run the diagnostics, and replace the battery so that it runs good as new."
-Nikki Yelton, RD
a note from nikki:
If you are ready to stop wasting precious time, get off the never-ending hamster wheel, and finally surrender trying to figure things out on your own—this is your moment.
You don’t have to settle for just getting by and hoping tomorrow is a better day. We both know you are a woman who deserves better and are made for so. much. more.
are you ready?
Ready to resolve your GI distress, reverse autoimmunity, and live your extraordinary life?
