Boost Drink Mix
Red flags
- −Red flag: High sugar (35g per 100g)
Green flags
- +Green flag: Source of protein (7.5g)
Ingredients, decoded
14 listed- Cereal Extract (50%) (Barley, Wheat, Millet)
- Malted Barley (21%)
- Sugar
- Wheat Flour (Atta)
- Milk Solids (6%)
- Minerals
- Natural Colour (INS 150c)
- Wheat Gluten
- Acidity Regulators (INS 501(ii), INS 500(ii))
- Edible Iodised Salt
- Cocoa Powder
- Vitamins
- Nature Identical Flavouring Substances
- Soy Protein Isolate
CB4
Our take
CleanPlate reviewStamina claims on a sugar-heavy base.
Boost is HUL's chocolate malt drink for active kids: cereal extract and malted barley, with sugar, atta, 6% milk solids and cocoa, plus a long premix of vitamins and minerals.
CleanPlate scores it CB4. The C for nutrition reflects modest protein and fibre; the fortification is generous but can only add so much. The B for ingredients reflects a whole-grain malt base let down by caramel colour and nature-identical flavour. The 4 for risk comes from malt sugars on top of added sugar, and sodium declared only as "under 450 mg".
Claims vs reality
What the pack says, checked against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.
- On the packBe careful
“3X Stamina”
Based on a study cited on the pack for a 40 g daily serve. The ingredient list can't show it, and the powder is about a third sugar.
How CB4 breaks down
Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 g.
Adequate nutrient density
- Protein
- 7.5 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
- Vitamins and minerals
- 17 declared
- Energy
- 369 kcal
Scored on eight nutrients (protein, fibre, calcium, iron, vitamins A, C, D and zinc), per 100 g and per 100 kcal.
Good, few concerning additives
- Base
- Cereal Extract
- Sweeteners
- Sugar
- Additives
- 2
- Flagged
- None
Scored on six things: base processing, fat quality, sweeteners, additives, colours and flavours.
High risk
- Added sugar
- 9.5 g
- Sodium
- 450 mg
- Saturated fat
- 2.2 g
- Trans fat
- 0.1 g
Scored on added sugar, sodium and saturated fat, with a penalty for trans fat.
A closer look
Does the label add up?
Cereal extract (barley, wheat, millet) is 50%, malted barley 21% and milk solids 6%, followed by sugar, atta, caramel colour (150c, labelled "natural colour"), wheat gluten, cocoa powder and soy protein isolate. Vitamins and minerals are added.
Per 100 g: 369 kcal, 7.5 g protein, 2 g fibre, 35 g total sugar (9.5 g added) and 2.5 g fat. Saturated fat (under 2.2 g), trans fat (under 0.1 g) and sodium (under 450 mg) are given only as upper limits, so we score at those limits.
Ingredients to watch
- SugarConcern
35 g per 100 g. Only 9.5 g is declared as added; the malt supplies most of the rest.
- SodiumWorth watching
Declared as under 450 mg per 100 g, high for a drink powder, and not given as an exact figure.
- Caramel colour (150c)Worth watching
Labelled "natural colour"; it is caramel, used to darken the drink.
Common misconceptions
Myth: "Only 9.5 g of sugar is added, so it's low in sugar"
Total sugar is 35 g per 100 g. Malt sugars aren't counted as added on Indian labels, but your body treats them the same way.
Myth: "Boost builds stamina on its own"
Stamina comes from overall diet, sleep and activity. A drink powder is a small part of that.
How often, and how
- ChildrenOne cup a day in milk, no extra sugar
- Active teensFine after sport, one serve
- DiabeticsAvoid
Smarter ways to eat it
Half a serve
10 g in a glass of milk keeps the taste and halves the malt sugar.
Pair with real food
A banana or a handful of nuts after sport does more than a second cup.
Common questions
Is Boost Drink Mix healthy?
Boost Drink Mix scores CB4 (Fair) on CleanPlate, which makes it an occasional-use product, where the concerns start to outweigh the positives. The main concerns are: High sugar (35g per 100g). On the plus side: Source of protein (7.5g).
What does the CB4 score mean?
The first letter (C) grades nutritional value: adequate nutrient density. The second letter (B) grades ingredient and label integrity: good, few concerning additives. The number (4) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): high risk.
Last reviewed September 26, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.