Chocolate Milk - Recovery Drink

[RoadRaven]

But isn't there something about the anti-oxidant properties of chocolate that also play into it? Or is it really just the protein and sugar values?

Don't know how many antioxidants will be in chocolate flavoured milk, unless the flavouring is from chocolate/cocoa

Alot of the flavoured milks have a high sugar count but my guess is a low antioxidant count.

I think its more the milk as a key factor in recovery - and a hard ride being a good excuse to drink something you enjoy.

[Aquila]

Interesting! I'm learning so much.

What do you folks think of chocolate soy milk? It seems to really hit the spot after a ride, but I wonder what others find?

Thanks!

[Zen]

Alot of the flavoured milks have a high sugar count but my guess is a low antioxidant count.

That's why you drink it. It's been found to have the optimum carb (sugar) to protein ratio for recovery.

I drank half a quart of 1percent last night and it did indeed hit the spot.

The anti-oxidant properties you're thinking of are only found in dark chocolate, and only small amounts, like one baking square size, are needed.

[Reesha]

I love chocolate milk after my rides. It's refreshing and pretty good for me too! Generally though I try to avoid brands like nesquik that use a lot of high fructose corn syrup in them and look for those that use regular sugar. Hood and Stewart's brands are both good for that.

During, I'd rather keep my electrolytes up so no chocolate milk for me. But a gatorade will do it if I take a break.

[Tri Girl]

I'm sure I'm just repeating what everyone has said- but I agree with the chocolate milk recovery drink from a recovery viewpoint (and I don't especially love it- but I think it worked).
Last summer when I was training for an IM- I drank 16 oz of chocolate milk after every long Saturday (those were days when I swam, biked looong, and ran). In a training book I read, it recommended it for long endurance sessions because of the carb/protein ratio. It suggested (and I used) 16 oz skim milk, 2T chocolate syrup and 6T sugar (I only used 5T of sugar because 6 was too much- and I know it's a lot of sugar- but again- it's the ratio that's important and when I was burning 2500-3500 calories those days I didn't have to worry about the calories).
I was NEVER sore after any of my long workout Saturdays (the longest of which was a 9 hour day). Between that and the ice bath I took when I got home, I was able to recover quickly and go out on Sundays for my long runs with no problems.

Not saying it works for everyone, but it worked for me. I can't imagine that strawberry would be any different, but I'm not sure. I also used some Ensure drinks (or Boost) as a substitute somtimes.

[indigoiis]

I have been using ovaltine. It's got protein in it because of the whey, and the malt is supposedly good for ya too.

[SheFly]

In talking to several nutritionist-type riders recently, I have determined that milk-based products contribute to your carb/protein ratio regardless of their origin. For recovery, that's the piece that is important, and the sugar and protein found in the falvored milks works great.

I've actually been using the yogurt drinks this season, and they also work well but have a little less protein.

This week? I discovered root beer floats are EXCELLENT for recovery . Sugar from the root beer and protein from the ice cream. YUM!

SheFly