Bournvita Chocolate Nutrition Drink Mix
Red flags
- −Red flag: High added sugar (32.2g per 100g)
- −Red flag: Contains Maltodextrin
Green flags
- +Green flag: Source of protein (7g)
- +Green flag: Source of fibre
Ingredients, decoded
14 listed- Cereal Extract 58% (Barley, Millets, Wheat)
- Sugar
- Cocoa Solids
- Maltodextrin
- Colour (150c)
- Wheat Gluten
- Minerals
- Liquid Glucose
- Emulsifiers (322, 471)
- Milk Solids
- Vitamins
- Raising Agent (500(ii))
- Flavours (Natural, Nature Identical and Artificial (Vanilla) Flavouring Substances)
- Iodised Salt
[F] BB3
Our take
CleanPlate reviewA malt drink where sugar does most of the work.
Cadbury Bournvita is India's best-known chocolate malt drink: a cereal extract of barley, millets and wheat, sweetened with sugar, maltodextrin and liquid glucose, flavoured with cocoa, and fortified with vitamins and minerals.
CleanPlate scores it [F]BB3. The B for nutrition relies on fortification; without the added vitamins and minerals it would be a C. The B for ingredients reflects a cereal-extract base with three sugars, caramel colour and artificial vanilla. The 3 for risk comes from sugar, which supplies almost half the calories once the malt sugars are counted.
Claims vs reality
What the pack says, checked against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.
- Product nameHolds
“Chocolate Nutrition Drink”
Cocoa solids are the third ingredient, though caramel colour and artificial vanilla help the flavour along.
- On the packBe careful
“2X Strength Nutrients”
The vitamins and minerals are real and generous, but they come in a powder that is about half sugar.
How BB3 breaks down
Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 g.
Good nutrient density
- Protein
- 7 g
- Fibre
- 3.5 g
- Vitamins and minerals
- 14 declared
- Energy
- 381 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 58%
- Sweeteners
- 3 types
- Additives
- 2
- Flagged
- Maltodextrin
- Artificial flavour or colour
- Yes
Scored on six things: base processing, fat quality, sweeteners, additives, colours and flavours.
Moderate risk
- Added sugar
- 32.2 g
- Sodium
- 175 mg
- Saturated fat
- 0.9 g
- Trans fat
- 0 g
Scored on added sugar, sodium and saturated fat, with a penalty for trans fat.
[F] Added vitamins or minerals meaningfully lift this product's nutrition grade. Without them it would score lower.
A closer look
Does the label add up?
Cereal extract (barley, millets, wheat) is declared at 58%, followed by sugar, cocoa solids, maltodextrin, caramel colour (150c), wheat gluten, liquid glucose and milk solids. Iron, zinc, calcium and vitamins A, C, D, B12 and folic acid are added.
Per 100 g of powder: 381 kcal, 7 g protein, 3.5 g fibre, 46 g total sugar (32.2 g added), 1.8 g fat (0.9 g saturated) and 175 mg sodium. The retail listing prints trans fat as both 1.8 g and 0 g in different places; the panel says 0 g.
Ingredients to watch
- SugarConcern
46 g per 100 g, 32.2 g of it added. Three sugars are listed: sugar, maltodextrin and liquid glucose.
- Caramel colour (150c)Worth watching
Deepens the colour so the drink looks more chocolatey.
- Artificial vanilla flavourWorth watching
Part of the flavouring is artificial.
Common misconceptions
Myth: "Bournvita is a health drink"
It is a sweetened cereal drink with added vitamins. The vitamins are real, and so is the sugar.
Myth: "Mixing it into milk makes the milk healthier"
It adds vitamins and minerals, but a 20 g serve also adds about 6.4 g of added sugar to a glass of milk that had none.
How often, and how
- ChildrenOne cup a day with level spoons and no extra sugar
- AdultsOccasional; plain milk does the job with less sugar
- DiabeticsAvoid
Smarter ways to eat it
Use half the powder
One level spoon instead of two keeps the chocolate taste and halves the sugar.
Don't add sugar
The powder is already sweet; extra sugar at home is where many cups go overboard.
Common questions
Is Bournvita Chocolate Nutrition Drink Mix healthy?
Bournvita Chocolate Nutrition Drink Mix scores BB3 (Good) on CleanPlate, which makes it a reasonable choice with a trade-off or two worth knowing about. The main concerns are: High added sugar (32.2g per 100g); Contains Maltodextrin. On the plus side: Source of protein (7g); Source of fibre.
What does the BB3 score mean?
The first letter (B) grades nutritional value: good nutrient density. The second letter (B) grades ingredient and label integrity: good, few concerning additives. The number (3) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): moderate risk. The [F] means added vitamins or minerals meaningfully lift the nutrition grade.
Which ingredients in Bournvita Chocolate Nutrition Drink Mix should I watch?
Maltodextrin (Maltodextrin).
Last reviewed September 26, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.
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