The Case for Milk

AJC is reporting Milk may be better than Gatorade.

Weird. Oh wait, I already thought that :) Especially if it's chocolate!

Why Chocolate Milk?

"Why do they recommend chocolate milk after a workout but not regular milk? What's so special about choc. (besides the superior taste)?" - @carolynballard

She raises a good point. I have long been a proponent of chocolate milk post workout after taking a spin class and hearing the instructor tell us the protein-carb ratio is perfect for recovery. Since then, I've always purchased Horizon's Organic Chocolate (seriously the BEST. FUCKING. CHOCOLATE. MILK. EVER). But what exactly is the reasoning behind the chocolate milk choice? And what is the difference between regular milk and chocolate milk? Does it matter if it's Skim or 2%?

According to my favorite magazine, Fitness, chocolate milk provides a LOT of benefits post workout:

Before your stomach recoils, take a look at chocolate milk's ingredient list. For a high-endurance athlete, Stager's team sees it as a catch-all workout recovery drink. Compared to plain milk, water, or most sports drinks, it has double the carbohydrate and protein content, perfect for replenishing tired muscles. Its high water content replaces fluids lost as sweat, preventing dehydration. Plus it packs a nutritional bonus of calcium, and includes just a little sodium and sugar -- additives that help recovering athletes retain water and regain energy.

Drinking plain water after exercise replaces sweat losses -- and that's it. "Chocolate milk provides carbohydrate replenishment to your muscles -- something they can metabolize," said Jason Karp, MS, another researcher for this study. "There's nothing to metabolize in water."

Stager's assessment of chocolate milk is even simpler. "It's water plus a whole lot more," he said.

But, there's always a BUT, I wouldn't go downing chocolate milk after a stroll around the hood. Chocolate Milk, like most sports drinks, is beneficial to those who cycle, swim or run. And especially those who do these for an extended period of time (more than 20 minutes). Which is why it was recommended after my intense hour-long Spin class.

For more info on chocolate milk, head over to the official chocolate milk website!

What about you guys? Any recovery drinks you swear by?

ALSO: Please, please, please don't forget to sign up for the Virtual Race for Boobies. It's an easy 5k with lots of prizes :) Plus it benefits the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure!!!!

And, to read about the 100 day challenge Courtney convinced me to take, click here.

Chocolate Milk Review

I don't know if I have made it evident but I LOVE CHOCOLATE MILK. Annnnd it happens to be a great way to rebuild muscles after a tough workout. I have touted Horizons Chocolate Milk but today I branched out and bought Odwalla Super Protein Chocolate Milk. I HATED it. It smells funny and tastes funkier. I will not be purchasing it again. I took two sips and I am done. Going into the trash. Buuutttt...let's take a look at the nutritional content of each so I can be fair and balanced.

Odwalla Super Protein Chocolate Milk

Calories 170

Total Fat 3.5g
Sodium 240mg
Carbohydrates 24g
Sugars 20g
Protein 10g

Horizon Organic 1 % Chocolate Milk
Calories 170
Total Fat 3g
Sodium 140mg
Carbohydrates 27g

Protein 8g

In summary, they are about even except Odwalla is made with Soymilk. The front claims 18g of protein per bottle which is two servings. It really just is not worth the bad taste when Horizon's has about the same things going for it.