If you love chocolate malt drinks, chances are that you have tried either Milo or Ovaltine, two of the most popular powdered malted beverages in the world.
Both are widely loved by people of all ages and are extremely delicious and nutritious. At first glance, they may seem like the same product, but they aren’t.
So, what are the differences between Milo and Ovaltine? The main difference between Milo and Ovaltine is in terms of their fat content and nutrient concentration. Ovaltine sold in the US does not contain any fats and is also more nutritious than Milo.
Read on to find out more about the differences between Milo and Ovaltine, how they taste like, what varieties they each come in, their ingredients, nutritional information, and much more!
What Is Milo?
Milo is a chocolate-flavored powdered drink made by the popular Swiss company Nestlé.
Widely consumed in countries such as Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, and South Africa, its main ingredients are malt and sugar and it is prepared by mixing the powder in hot or cold milk, water, or both.
Originally developed in Australia by an industrial chemist named Thomas Wayne, Milo is now being sold in almost every part of the world.
Inspired by the famous ancient athlete, Milo of Croton for his incredible strength, Milo is sold in its recognizable green packaging.
It is often targeted towards children and active and sporty individuals, as is obvious by the images used on its packaging of young children playing some kind of sport.
Most popularly sold as a powder mix, it is also available in a pre-mixed or ready-to-drink beverage in several countries. In addition to that, it is also available in the form of a snack bar and cereal.
Ingredients, Nutrition, & Consumption
Made with barley malt extract, milk solids, sugar, cocoa powder, vegetable oil, calcium phosphate, sodium phosphate, magnesium, and a whole lot of vitamins, Milo is marketed mostly toward active children.
Although Milo is not marketed in the US, it is easily available in the imported section of leading supermarkets as well as online. You can buy it here on Amazon.
Aside from its nutritional benefits, its delicious chocolate flavor is enjoyed by people of all ages and has been a favorite for so many years.
As mentioned earlier, Milo is a powdered beverage made by mixing it into hot or cold milk or water, or a mixture of both. You may also come across individuals sprinkling it on top of ice cream, cereal, and desserts.
In some Southeast Asian countries, Milo is also available at famous fast-food chains such as KFC and McDonald’s.
What Is Ovaltine?
Ovaltine is a brand of powdered malt, similar to Milo, made by different manufacturers in different countries. In the UK, it is manufactured by Associated British Foods, while in the US, it is owned by the famous Swiss company Nestlé.
It has been around since the early 20th century and is loved by children and adults worldwide due to its rich and delicious flavor.
Ovaltine is a powdered malt beverage sold in its famous and easy-to-notice orange packaging. Made by mixing it in hot or cold milk, water, or both, it is just as popular as when it was first introduced to the market decades ago.
The original Ovaltine formula was made with malt, cocoa, eggs, and milk; however, several versions have developed over the years with different ingredients.
Some popular variants include Ovaltine classic malt, chocolate malt mix, and rich chocolate mix. There is also an egg-free variety available in certain countries.
Marketed as a source of vitamins and minerals, it tastes amazing and has long been considered a natural sleep aid for children due to its high magnesium levels.
Not limited to drink form, Ovaltine is available in biscuit sandwich form and a spread by the name of Ovomaltine Crunchy Cream that combines the original malty beverage with cocoa.
Ovaltine and Ovomaltine are actually the same product but have different names due to an error when the name Ovomaltine was accidentally shortened to Ovaltine when it entered Britain.
Ovomaltine that you find now is manufactured in Switzerland or Belgium since these two countries still use the original name while the rest have adopted the shortened version.
Ingredients, Nutrition, & Consumption
Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, Ovaltine is promoted as a healthy beverage for people of all ages. It is low in calories and fat and its nutritional value depends mostly on what you mix it with.
The US version of Ovaltine doesn’t contain fats, which is great for people looking to reduce their fat.
It contains Vitamin B complex that controls appetite and enhances mood and muscle metabolism, along with calcium and Vitamin D that help strengthen bones.
Prepared by adding milk, water, or both into the powder, Ovaltine can be enjoyed both hot and cold, depending on your preference. It is particularly delicious when enjoyed as a hot chocolate beverage during the colder months.
Difference Between Milo And Ovaltine
Both Milo and Ovaltine are popular malted beverages enjoyed by people of all ages around the world. Their ingredients may differ based on the country where they are manufactured.
Therefore, for this comparison, we are going to take Milo manufactured in Australia and Ovaltine made for the US market.
The main difference between Milo and Ovaltine is that the latter does not contain any fat and is more concentrated nutrition-wise. Here is a summary of their differences:
| Milo | Ovaltine |
|---|---|
| Contains fat | Fat-free version for the US market |
| Not as concentrated | More concentrated |
| Low Sugar and carbs | More vitamins and minerals |
| Released later | Released before |
| Popular in Australia and Southeast Asian countries | Popular in Europe and US |
| Manufactured by Nestlé | Manufactured by different companies based on geographic location |
Can You Substitute Milo With Ovaltine?
Yes, since Milo and Ovaltine are both chocolate malt drinks, you can substitute one for the other.
However, there are a few differences between them, as discussed above. If they don’t bother you, you can go right ahead and use Milo in place of Ovaltine, and vice versa.
If you are on a low-fat diet and are looking for a more concentrated option, Ovaltine is your go-to product.
However, if you want to keep your sugar intake in check, Milo may be the better option since it has a low sugar content. Also, Milo is low on carbs as well, whereas Ovaltine has a higher amount of vitamins and minerals.
It may be useful to know that since both Milo and Ovaltine are popular in different parts of the world, their availability may be affected by where you are located.
Milo is commonly available in Australia and Southeast Asian countries, whereas Ovaltine is more popular in Europe and the US. Therefore, if you can’t get your hands on one, you can surely substitute it with the other.
Is Ovaltine Healthy?
Ovaltine is a popular powdered malted beverage that offers a balanced mix of essential vitamins and minerals.
It is high in zinc which is responsible for regulating more than 300 enzymes in the human body. It is also a good source of calcium and vitamin D.
Keeping all these facts in mind, it is fair to say that Ovaltine can be a good and healthy addition to your diet. The issue, however, is that Ovaltine is high in sugar and must be consumed in moderation.
1-2 cups of Ovaltine every now or then shouldn’t cause any harm. However, if you are a daily drinker or are overweight or have diabetes, it may be better to skip out and try other healthier alternatives.
Does Ovaltine Help With Sleep?
Ovaltine is marketed as a healthy beverage enriched with vitamins and minerals. It tastes amazing and contains no artificial sweeteners or synthetic flavors, making it a great drink to enjoy before bedtime.
In fact, due to its high magnesium levels, it is often considered a natural sleep aid for children.
It helps relieve insomnia and reduces daytime drowsiness in women by promoting better sleep and regulating energy levels.
Since malted milk beverages, such as Ovaltine, help regulate sleep patterns in adults as well, it could help you sleep better, depending on your age and medical history.
Can You Make Milo And Ovaltine At Home?
Yes, you can! The best part about it is that, in addition to being super easy to make, it is highly customizable, meaning you can adjust the ingredients according to your taste and preference.
To make chocolate-flavored Milo or Ovaltine, mix together 2 cups of whole or non-fat instant dry milk and 6 tablespoons of malt powder with around 6 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder.
Pass the powder through a fine-mesh sieve to get rid of any lumps and store it at room temperature in an airtight jar away from sunlight and moisture for up to a year.
Mix the powder in some hot or cold milk and sweeten your drink with some sugar, honey, or stevia, according to your taste. You may even skip this step altogether since malt powder is already naturally sweet.
Ways To Prepare Milo And Ovaltine
Milo and Ovaltine are both popular chocolate malt drinks that can be prepared and used in a variety of ways. Two of the most common ways to prepare them is by making a hot or cold beverage using hot or cold milk or water.
Preparing Hot Milo/Ovaltine
The first and easiest way to use Milo or Ovaltine is by making a basic hot beverage. Here are step-by-step instructions for you to follow:
- Gather the ingredients, which include 3 (or more) tablespoons of Milo or Ovaltine powder, some hot water, and optional add-ins according to your taste.
- Add the Milo or Ovaltine powder into a cup or mug. Depending on your taste, you may add 3 tablespoons or more. It is best to start with 3 and add more powder if you feel the need.
- Add a few tablespoons of hot water and stir it to make a nice paste.
- Add more water and continue stirring until the cup is nearly full.
- Let it cool off. You may add a few tablespoons of cold milk to expedite the process and to make the drink creamier.
Note: You may customize the recipe by adding additional ingredients, such as sugar to make it sweeter, cocoa powder or chocolate syrup to give it a stronger chocolate flavor, or substitute milk for water altogether to make it richer and creamier.
Preparing Cold Milo/Ovaltine
This is another delicious preparation method for both Milo and Ovaltine. Here are step-by-step instructions for you to follow:
- Gather the ingredients, which include 3 (or more) tablespoons of Milo or Ovaltine powder, some hot water, cold milk, and optional add-ins according to your taste.
- Start by heating up some water. You will need only a few tablespoons to dissolve the powder since Milo and Ovaltine do not dissolve that well in cold water or milk.
- Add the Milo or Ovaltine powder into a glass. Depending on your taste, you may add 3 tablespoons or more. It is best to start with 3 and add more powder if you feel the need.
- Pour some hot water into the glass to cover the powder by about ¾ of an inch.
- Stir it until the powder is fully dissolved.
- Add cold milk to fill up the glass, give it a final stir, and enjoy!
Note: You may customize the recipe according to your needs by adding 1.5 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk before adding the milk to give it a nice creamy and smooth texture.
You may also use low-fat or skimmed milk instead of full-cream milk.
Related Questions
Now that you know all about the differences between Milo and Ovaltine, here are a few additional questions we thought you might have!
What are Milo Dinosaur and Milo Godzilla?
Milo Dinosaur is a popular drink in Malaysia and Singapore made by adding generous amounts of undissolved Milo powder into a cup of iced Milo.
Milo Godzilla refers to the same drink as Milo Dinosaur served with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.
Can you drink Ovaltine every day?
Due to the high amount of added sugar in Ovaltine, it is not recommended to drink it every day, especially if you are suffering from obesity, diabetes, or a heart condition.
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