I've met lots of people at health food stores who form these types of opinions, diagnose the customer and try to sell whatever worked for them (I guess). Bugs me....

My favourite recovery food after a ride: a nuked potato with a few chopped veggies, chopped ham (or any meat) and melted soy cheese (wish I could eat real cheese, but at least it's a soy cheese that melts!!). Not as convenient as a recovery drink or chocolate milk, but really sticks to me. Back when I used to eat dairy (not realizing the ways it was messing me up) I'd always be first to grab the potato skins off the appy platter when we got to the pub.!

I don't use sports drinks on the bike these days either, but have been known to use electrolyte drops (tasteless) in my water bottle. I also find cliff shot blocks an excellent energy source while riding - two at the each hour mark works best for me.

Good luck! Sending butterflies to help all those food choices get to just the right places, and to keep you safe out there!

Hugs,
~T~