Instant beverages
Nestlé Nesquik
9.38 oz/266 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in sugar
- Contains added sugars
- Contains artificial flavors
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 41
Nestlé Nesquik scores 41 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 14 points Sugars 100 g / 100 g: Very high in sugar. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better hot cocoa and chocolate drink mixes
-
Traditional hot chocolate Lake Champlain · 16 oz/453 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Superfood Hot Chocolate Just Ingredients Not ultra-processed · Less sugar Score 79 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Nonfat Dry Milk Swiss Miss · 12.98 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Milo Milo · 125 g Not ultra-processed · Less sugar Score 100 out of 100 , 59 points higher -
Sugar-Free Chocolate Drink Mix Pyure · 7.23 oz/205 g Less sugar · No added sugars Score 76 out of 100 , 35 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Nesquik
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Artificial flavors minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 100 g / 100 g minus 14 points
- Salt 0.3 g / 100 g minus 1 points
- Energy 417 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
100 − 59 = 41
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in sugars (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [7]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 417 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 100 g |
| Sugars | 100 g |
| Added sugars | 100 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0.3 g |
Serving: 2 tbsp (12 g)
Ingredients
Label text, as published
SUGAR, BEET JUICE CONCENTRATE (FOR COLOR), LESS THAN 2% OF ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, SALT. MAY CONTAIN MILK, SOY, AND WHEAT.
Allergens and diets
May contain: Milk, Soy, Gluten
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More instant beverages on GoodSwap
More from Nestlé
Sources
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Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
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“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org