Chocolate Milk - Recovery Drink

[SnappyPix]

Sorry if this has been asked before.
I'm interested in trying chocolate milk as a recovery drink, but can't actually stand the taste of anything chocolately (except chocolate!). Does anyone know if strawberry flavoured milk has the same benefits?
Also - does it matter whether the drink is half fat, full fat, etc?

Would prefer to try the more healthier versions of flavoured milk out there, especially the ones not awash with additives and preservatives.

Any info would be appreciated.

[mimitabby]

my DH drinks chocolate milk on a long bike ride, but it isn't his ONLY drink. He also drinks fancy electrolyte drinks, water, and ensure. after a while you get sick of any one thing...

[Fredwina]

do you have something like the "Nutrution Facts" labels that are required here in the US? They bascially tell you the Calories in a Food, %from fat, carbs, and protiens, and any vitaman/mineral info. That should tell you if Choco and Strawberry milk are equals Re:recovery

[Thorn]

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?

Personally, because I tend to believe that the only form of chocolate is in the solid, dark chocolate, I've learned to justify milk chai (iced or hot depending on the weather) instead of chocolate milk after rides. Protein from the milk, sugar from the chai mix and all those good antioxidant properties of tea...and I'm sure that the spices are also good for me somehow.

[alpinerabbit]

Actually tea with milk is less effective than tea alone. Have a piece of chocolate some other time.

I just don't know how important it is to always, always live healthily....
I also like a beer after riding, and a glass of wine with my pasta when I refill the glycogen stores. Beer has been shown to be an excellent recovery aid.

[Thorn]

Actually tea with milk is less effective than tea alone.

Sniffle...snifffle...bummer....and I thought it was such a great justification for the chai!

Oh, well, then I guess I'll have to agree strongly with your statement, "I just don't know how important it is to always, always live healthily...."

P.S. I loved the quote site...

[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.