When I was playing my first marathon in 2010 (Brag), my hand was pushed when I stumbled upon the finish line. No, not a medal that proved my slow but steady state 26.2 success, but a serving of chocolate milk. Around me, other marathons were confused so I was confused but also hungry and burnt so I joined.
“Chocolate milk after the post-run has won traditional honors because of the science behind it,” said running coach Alysha Flynn. “Chocolate milk has an ideal 3:1 carbohydrate to protein ratio, which helps replenish glycogen storage and repair muscles after long or hard training. It is also packaged in electrolytes such as potassium and sodium to help replenish the body’s calcium, plus calcium and vitamin D, and its importance for bone health, especially for female runners.” The best time to absorb is within an hour after a tough workout.
So in a world where we are all obsessed with protein, perhaps pursuing the latest high-tech powders and doubling our beef intake after a workout isn’t the most effective way to recover, but the nostalgia in childhood is a small amount. “Unlike many recovery drinks, chocolate milk is a complete protein that all nine essential amino acids cannot produce on their own,” Flynn said. “It’s not only convenient, but surprisingly affordable, and backed by science. For many runners, it tastes like a treat, which makes it easier to refuel properly.”
But, only OG, what about ordinary milk? “Nutritionally, chocolate milk is regular milk with cocoa and sweeteners,” Ayla Barmmerfounders of MS, RDN, LDN and Fullwell. “The baseline benefits are the same, so you can still get proteins, calcium, carbohydrates and some electrolytes, such as potassium, which are naturally present in milk. The cocoa itself also has a small boost. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, a flavonoid, an antioxidant that supports the oxide that can help the production of monoxide. It can improve the oxygen that oxidizes the blood. Emphasizing small-scale – you can actually replicate this nutritional profile through other protein-carb pairings, she says, although they don’t always include chocolate, so maybe the appealing content is much less than chocolate. “When paired with carbs, regular milk can work just as well, like bananas or nut butter toast.” You don’t necessarily need the added sugar in chocolate milk, but convenience can make it attractive. ”
