HeartActive is a delicious, 99% fat free milk enriched with plant sterols, which are proven to help reduce cholesterol. Research shows that consuming plant sterols everyday in milk can reduce cholesterol by an average of 10% in three weeks. HeartActive is currently available in a 1L carton with an extended shelf life (45 days from production) compared to regular white milks with a shelf life of 14 days.
It’s winter here in Oz, although I must confess the weather has been a bit hit and miss. We’ve had rainy days of 25C and brilliantly sunny days with temperatures hovering in the mid teens. I actually love winter so never complain – but I also live in one of the warmer States which basically never sees snow.
It doesn’t mean however, that I don’t feel the cold; and although I haven’t succumbed to heating, I’ve been wearing my fluffiest of bed socks and enjoying my flannelette pyjamas and sheets.
After some recent wayward eating behaviour I’ve tried to rein it in and settle back into a routine of sorts. The colder weather doesn’t help of course, as I find myself craving comfort foods – particularly after dinner at night.
I’m not much of a dessert-eater. I love cheesecake and creme caramel and the like, but save those for dining out. So, in an attempt to be vaguely healthy but satisfy my need for something warm, sweet and comforting, I make myself a hot chocolate before bed each night.
I use a variety of low-calorie hot chocolates, but my secret is that I make it completely on milk. I don’t have a lot of calcium but recognise its importance. As I’m also trying to be more conscious of my cholesterol consumption & levels I’ve switched to Dairy Farmers HeartActive. It’s an easy change to make and the fact that it assists in lowering my cholesterol levels by an average of 10% makes it a no-brainer.
HeartActive tastes as good if not better than my previous low-fat / skim milk and lasts much longer (important when you live alone!). As an added bonus the Dairy Farmers range also offers milk which is low in fat AND permeate free.
Permeate is a watery by-product of milk processing which is sometimes added to dilute protein levels. As I understand it, it’s not bad for you but just involves additional processing.
I grew up with the old wives tale that a hot milk drink before bed would help you sleep. I read something recently which debunked that theory, although – as an insomniac – I’ll try anything. Either way, I like the fact that I can have something warm, comforting, yummy and relatively healthy to end my day.
Do you have a pre-bed milk drink?
What’s your nighttime tipple of choice? (And no, I don’t mean Cabernet Sauvignon or a ‘nightcap’!)
Sponsored Series by Nuffnang AustraliaHeartActive is a delicious, 99% fat free milk enriched with plant sterols, which are proven to help reduce cholesterol. Research shows that consuming plant sterols everyday in milk can reduce cholesterol by an average of 10% in three weeks. HeartActive is currently available in a 1L carton with an extended shelf life (45 days from production) compared to regular white milks with a shelf life of 14 days.
* I’m linking up with Essentially Jess and her IBOT team today.
July 30, 2013
I think that a warm drink can help you sleep if it’s part of a pre-bed ritual. The actual drink may make no difference but the habit of doing it can put you into the right head-space. I’m not a big milk drinker (because of the lactose issues and the ‘issues’ that lactose causes) so I generally stick to a cup of decaf tea.
July 30, 2013
I’m sure you’re right about the ritual thing Char. Like having a warm bath etc.
I’m lactose intolerant (found out at the same time as my coeliac diagnosis) but the only other dairy products I eat are sour cream and yoghurt, neither of which I have EVERY day.. so generally it’s okay.
July 30, 2013
I was going to say whisky (hides behind embarrassment)…
July 31, 2013
Yes well, I refrained some talking about the fact that I have cab sav earlier in the evening…. still like something sweet to finish night off though!
July 31, 2013
When I was in hospital for depression I asked the night nurse for a sleeping tablet. She told me she’d make me a warm milk because the warming up process apparently produces something that makes you sleep. I call bullsh!t because it didn’t help me at all.
Later when Ned was little I thought about that story again. He went to bed with a warm milk every night and it didn’t make him any easier to settle either.
Call us crazy but we all (except Ned of course) have a black plunger coffee at night after dinner. No later than 10 but often at around 9.30. I guess we are so used to it because it has been almost a life long habit.
These days I pass out as soon as I hit the pillow because of all the meds I take.
V.
August 1, 2013
It’s weird that the coffee doesn’t keep you awake. I usually have a no-diet coke-after-lunchish rule as I’m such a bad insomniac I don’t need to give my body more ammunition.
July 31, 2013
I always have a hot tea or occasionally hot chocolate before bed! Takes the edge off any crazy cravings and it is just soothing. Never thought to make hot chocolate with hot milk, sounds lovely!
August 1, 2013
As I said Jess I don’t have a lot of calcium products so figure the low fat milk drink does me good at night. And it hits the spot when it comes to sweet cravings! I’ve tried a few different brands of hot chocolate as well.
July 31, 2013
I have a cuppa tea, sometimes, but then try to limit so don’t need a middle of night visit to the ladies 🙂 My kids LOVE their milk before bed though 🙂
August 1, 2013
Yes, the loo visits are definitely a downside to nighttime drinks!
July 31, 2013
I love a warm drink at bedtime, but rarely get around to actually having one. I’m usually running around organising my gym gear for the morning, my lunch for the next day and if I’m really well organised, my clothes for work too.
There have been a few times in the past though when I’ve gone through a period of insomnia and I did find that having a “calming” bedtime routine helped. I’d aim to wind down with a bath (or at least a warm shower), some quiet reading and a warm milk drink. It did seem to help… it was nice anyway, even if it wasn’t really sleep-inducing. Maybe I should reinstate the habit. 🙂
August 1, 2013
I wouldn’t be surprised if the milk and bath etc are as much triggers to tell your body it’s time to sleep. I like the notion of a ‘calming’ bedtime routine.
July 31, 2013
I TIPPLE (love that word) but protein shake 🙂
August 1, 2013
I thought for sure it would conjure up visions of cocktails and booze… 😉
August 2, 2013
I’m a fan of hot chocolate, but obviously in Darwin it’s rarely cold enough to need it.
After work I often have a glass of red wine before bed, cause I fine it relaxes me like nothing else.
August 3, 2013
Yes Jess I don’t have hot chocolate as much in summer! And I usually have a couple of glasses of cabernet sauvignon (Taylors is my fave at the moment) earlier in the evening as well!
August 3, 2013
Actually body builders recommend drinking milk before going to sleep to help them gain weight!
August 3, 2013
Yes, years ago when I played a lot of basketball and became anorexic (ie. 25-30 or so years ago!) my coach tried to get me to start eating a lot of full-cream milk-based products. Fat plus protein I guess.