Food & Nutrition

Shop smart guide: Hot drinks

Compare the Points® values of our favourite hot drinks.
Published 2 August 2018

Hot drinks guide and comparison


When the temperature drops, a warm-up of your favourite drink is the best way to cosy up. And with these delicious eating out and low Points options, it doesn't have to compromise your health and weight loss goals.


Points of hot drinks from the supermarket

Supermarket hot drinks

  • Woolworths Select 99% fat-free hot chocolate - 3 Points
  • Jarrah classic hot chocolate - 2 Points
  • Avalanche sugar-free drinking chocolate - 1 Point
  • Avalanche sugar free vanilla chai latte - 1 Point


Supermarket coffee

  • Nescafé coffee sachets skim cappucino - 2 Points
  • Moccona classic instant coffee with ¼ cup skim milk - 1 Points
  • Aldi Alcafe coffee sachets, 99% fat-free strong cappuccino - 2 Points
  • Nescafé coffee sachets skim mocha - 2 Points


Points of hot drinks from your favourite café

Generic café

  • Regular skim coffee, such as cappuccino, flat white or latte, no sugar - 2 Points
  • Regular hot chocolate with skim milk, no sugar - 8 Points
  • Regular chai latte with skim milk, no sugar - 7 Points

Chain café

  • Gloria Jean’s white chocolate mocha with skim milk - 16 Points
  • Starbucks signature hot chocolate, tall with skim milk - 21 Points
  • McCafe chai latte with skim milk - 9 Points


Is it true that hot drinks can ease a cold?

If you’ve ever wondered if a hot drink can help ease cold and flu symptoms, it might – if you think it will. UK researchers who gave sick people a drink that was either hot or room temperature found that the people who drank the hot drink experienced greater relief than those served the cooler drink. But when nasal airflow was measured, symptoms weren't significantly improved at all. So why did participants report feeling better? It may be the placebo effect: participants expected symptom relief – particularly from the hot drink. Whatever the temperature, keep well-hydrated for a speedy recovery.