Beverages, OVALTINE, chocolate malt powder
Whole food · Beverages
Photo: Wikipedia
Ovaltine is a sweet, powdery chocolate malt drink mix that dissolves into a warm or cold, comforting beverage with a distinctly malty, cocoa-forward flavor. Nutritionally, it's a concentrated source of carbohydrates, delivering a quick energy boost from its high sugar content.
Calorie split: 0% protein · 100% carbs · 0% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love Ovaltine for its iconic, sweet chocolate-malt taste that evokes childhood memories and cozy moments. Its versatility allows it to be stirred into milk, used in baking, or blended into shakes, making it a beloved pantry staple.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (over 72g per 100g) can lead to rapid blood sugar spikes and is a concern for those monitoring sugar intake. To counteract this, use a smaller portion (1-2 teaspoons) mixed into a larger volume of milk, or pair the drink with a source of protein or healthy fat (like nuts or a piece of fruit) to slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates.
- Often fortified with vitamins and minerals like B vitamins and iron.
- Offers a comforting, nostalgic flavor profile.
- Easy and fast to prepare as a warm or cold drink.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Ovaltine was originally developed in Switzerland in 1904 under the name 'Ovomaltine,' a portmanteau of 'ovum' (egg) and 'malt,' but a trademark registration error led to the 'n' being dropped, creating the name we know today.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 1.3 g |
| Energy | 372 kcal |
| Energy | 1556 kj |
| Protein | 0.00 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.00 g |
| Ash | 5.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 93.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 72.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 909 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 16.4 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 218 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 0.00 mg |
| Potassium, K | 0.00 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 530 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 13.6 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 1.8 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 54.5 mg |
| Thiamin | 1.4 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 18.2 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 1.8 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 1365 ug |
| Retinol | 1365 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 4550 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 12.3 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 364 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 9.1 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 9.1 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Beverages, carbonated, tonic water — USDA does not publish this profile for Beverages.
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.00 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.00 g |
| Leucine | 0.00 g |
| Lysine | 0.00 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.00 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.00 g |
| Arginine | 0.00 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glycine | 0.00 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Is Ovaltine the same as chocolate milk powder?
No. While both make chocolate milk, Ovaltine is specifically a chocolate *malt* powder, meaning it contains malted barley extract which gives it a distinct, toasty flavor profile different from pure cocoa-based powders.
Can I use Ovaltine in baking?
Yes, it's a popular ingredient in cakes, cookies, and brownies to add a malty chocolate depth. It can be substituted for some of the sugar and cocoa in a recipe.
Does the nutrition info change when mixed with milk?
Absolutely. The provided data is for the dry powder. When mixed with a cup of whole milk, you significantly increase the protein, fat, and calorie content of the final beverage.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.72 kcal/g · 0% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 72.7 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.