A Cadbury's treat that helps you sleep (Cadbury Drinking Chocolate)

Member Name: Mioliere

Product:	Cadbury Drinking Chocolate
Date:	28/12/08 (451 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to make, contains no caffeine, soothing and comforting

Disadvantages: Needs to be stirred to prevent the powder settling at the bottom of the cup

I had to buy Cadbury's Drinking Chocolate recently because the one I usually buy (the Co-op's own brand which costs 45p and is delicious) doesn't seem to be available any more.

Whilst I love tea and coffee, too much of it in the evenings stops me sleeping properly, so I like to have a milky drink before bed to ward off the insomnia. Cadbury's Drinking Chocolate, made with all milk, really does help me sleep.

I usually heat a small jug of milk in the microwave, add two teaspoonsful of the drinking chocolate and stir it well. It makes a soothing warming drink and gives you a chocolate fix at the same time. You can also boil the milk in a saucepan on the hob but, as I hate washing up saucepans, I stick to the microwave method. The results are just the same.

I find I have to keep the spoon in the cup while I am drinking the hot chocolate, otherwise the powder sinks to the bottom, but this is the only drawback. It really does help me to sleep - this is mainly due to the milk, I think, but I don't like hot milk on its own.

Cadbury's Drinking Chocolate is also great as a drink at any time, especially on a really cold day. It's comforting and helps to warm you up if you've been out in the cold.

I buy the regular size which contains 250g; the last one I bought cost £1.45 - a £1 dearer than the Co-op's own brand but, as I find it's essential to ensure a good night's sleep, I don't mind paying the extra.

The container is in Cadbury's distinctive blue with a graphic of a steaming mug on the front and the words 'Stir into hot milk' in a bubble underneath. The makers suggest using three teaspoonsful per cup but I only use small cups so I make it with just two. The serving suggested on the container is 18g in 200mls of semi-skimmed milk; this provides 165 calories. Per 100g of the powder itself will provide 370 calories. The good thing is that Cadbury's Drinking Chocolate does not have a long list of chemicals in it; the ingredients are quite simple: sugar, cocoa, salt, flavouring and cocoa solids (minimum 25%). One serving in a mug will give 8.1g protein, 22.9g carbohydrate and 4.6g fat.

Cadbury's Drinking Chocolate not only makes a great drink, it has other uses, too. It's great added to icing sugar to make chocolate frosting on cakes and it also works well added at the same time as the flour when making sponge cakes. It's delicious added to porridge oats when making flapjacks, too.

I find Cadbury's Drinking Chocolate as the last drink before going to bed is great at helping you to get a good night's sleep and thoroughly recommend it. If you want to avoid caffeine, this is the perfect way to do it.

Summary: A great drink at any time but especially in cold weather