Costa Hot Chocolate: How Many Syns and How to Enjoy It on Slimming World
As the seasons get colder you might start craving hot chocolate to warm you up, but you do need to be careful about the syns in hot chocolates, especially when ordering from cafes like Costa.
Costa hot chocolate in particular has varying syns according to the kind of milk you choose, on average for small hot chocolate made with semi-skimmed milk you will be spending around 8.5 syns per drink.
We've discussed in further detail below why Costa hot chocolate is so high in syns, syn values of all their hot chocolates and some low syn alternatives from other coffee shops and brands.
Why Is Costa Hot Chocolate So High In Syns?
At 8.5 syns per small hot chocolate with semi-skimmed milk, these hot drinks are fairly high in syns, consuming half of your daily syn allowance on the plan, we, therefore, suggest having them as an occasional treat when your syns allow.
Costa hot chocolate gets its high syn value from the sugar and fat due to the chocolate in the drink, for example, one small hot chocolate from Costa has nearly 20g of sugar and 5g of fat!
To save syns we suggest choosing lower fat kinds of milk like skimmed milk and choosing the mini size which is even lower in syns.
Syn Values Of Costa Hot Chocolate & Drinks
Costa has a large range of hot chocolates on offer with different flavours, to help you stay on track with your syns, we've listed their range below.
Hot Chocolates
Costa Coffee Hot Chocolate (Semi-Skimmed Milk) - 8.5 syns small.
Costa Coffee Hot Chocolate (Skimmed Milk) - 7.5 syns small.
Costa Coffee Express Hot Chocolate - 9 syns.
Costa Coffee Hot Chocolate (Whole Milk) - 11 syns (drink in) small.
Costa Coffee Hot Chocolate (Oat Milk) - 11 syns (drink in) small.
Costa Coffee Hot Chocolate (Soya Milk) - 6.5 syns small (drink in).
Costa Coffee White Hot Chocolate (Semi-Skimmed Milk) - 8.5 syns, mini (take-away).
Costa Coffee Hot Chocolate (Coconut Milk) - 8.5 syns, small (drink in).
Costa Coffee Hot Chocolate (Almond Milk) - 7.5 syns, small (drink in).
Costa Coffee Ruby Hot Chocolate with Light Dairy Swirl (Semi-Skimmed Milk) - 8 syns, small (drink in).
Costa Coffee KitKat Hot Chocolate (Semi Skimmed Milk) - 12 syns, small (drink in).
Costa Express Caramel Hot Chocolate (Oat Milk) - 11 syns, regular.
Costa Coffee Blackforest Hot Chocolate with Cream (Whole Milk) - 11.5 syns, small (drink in).
Costa Coffee Maple Hazel Hot Chocolate & Light Dairy Swirl (Semi-Skimmed Milk) - 13.5 syns, small (drink in).
Costa Coffee Maple Hazel Hot Chocolate & Light Dairy Swirl (Skimmed Milk) - 12 syns, small (drink in).
Costa Coffee Hot Chocolate Babyccino with Marshmallow (Semi-Skimmed Milk) - 6.5 syns.
Costa Express Hot Chocolate (Oat Milk) - 10 syns.
Costa Coffee KitKat Hot Chocolate (Soya Milk) - 10 syns (drink in).
Costa Coffee Hot Chocolate Babyccino with Flake (Skimmed Milk) - 5 syns.
Costa Coffee Blackforest Hot Chocolate with Cream (Semi-Skimmed Milk) - 10.5 syns drink in.
Low Syn Alternatives To Costa Hot Chocolate
If you find Costa hot chocolate to be too high in syns, there are plenty of other alternatives for when you feel like a sweet drink to warm you up.
Coffee Shop Hot Chocolates
McDonald's Hot Chocolate - 8.5 syns.
Greggs Hot Chocolate - 11 syns.
Starbucks Classic Hot Chocolate with Cream (Semi-Skimmed Milk) - 7.5 syns.
Starbucks Classic Hot Chocolate with Cream (Skimmed Milk)- 7 syns for short.
Caffe Nero Hot Chocolate (Semi Skimmed Milk) - 11 syns.
Clipper Fairtrade Instant Hot Chocolate 350g - 5.5 syns.
Galaxy Hot Chocolate Dolce Gusto Pod Selection 136g Hot Chocolate - 3.5 syns.
Aldi Choceur Light Hot Chocolate Drink 300g - 2 syns.
Cadbury Drinking Hot Chocolate 250g - 3.5 syns.
Cadbury Highlights Milk Hot Chocolate 11g - 2 syns.
Galaxy Light Instant Hot Chocolate 180g - 2 syns.
Galaxy Instant Hot Chocolate 370g - 5 syns.
Options Vegan Belgian Hot Chocolate 200g - 2.5 syns.
Green & Black's Organic Hot Chocolate 300g - 3.5 syns.
M&S Count On Us Instant Hot Chocolate Drink 10 Sachets - 2.5 syns.
Final Words
Overall, Costa hot chocolate is high in syns, having 8.5 syns per small drink with semi-skimmed milk, using over half your daily syn allowance. To cut back syns, we suggest opting for a mini version with skimmed milk or making your own at home with sachets which start as low as 2 syns.
Syn values are calculated using a formula based on calories, saturated fat and sugar content per serving. They’re not the same as calories — a product can be low in calories but higher in syns if it’s high in sugar or fat. Always check the official Slimming World app for the most accurate and up-to-date syn values.
Do syn values change?
Yes. When manufacturers reformulate their products, the syn value can go up or down. This is why we recommend double-checking with the Slimming World app or your consultant, especially if a product’s packaging has changed recently.
How many syns should I have per day?
Most Slimming World members work with 5 to 15 syns per day. Your consultant will advise on the right amount for you. The key is to use your syns on the things you enjoy most — whether that’s a chocolate bar, a glass of wine, or a packet of crisps.
Jennifer
Jennifer is a certified nutritionist and weight loss coach with a Master's in Nutrition from Cambridge. With over 10 years experience, she shares healthy recipes and science-backed slimming tips on SheCooksSheEats to help people reach their wellness goals. Jennifer stays up-to-date by regularly attending conferences and continuing her nutrition education. She aims to provide research-backed advice to inspire balanced, happy living.
