Nutrition and training experts agree that a quality recovery drink should have the following 4 components:
- Carbohydrates for refueling
- Protein to repair and rebuild muscles - preferably a ratio of 3:1 or 4:1 carbohydrates to protein
- Fluids for re-hydration
- Electrolytes
Chocolate Milk has all the above components plus essential vitamins and nutrients.
The nutrition facts label shows these amounts per 8oz serving. The low-fat chocolate milk available near you may have slightly different nutrition facts. The main reason low-fat chocolate milk is my recovery drink of choice is that it tastes great and that it’s much less expensive than other recovery drinks (about 50 cents for a 16oz serving). In addition, low-fat chocolate milk is available almost anywhere. After a cycling training session I always end with 16oz of low-fat chocolate milk for recovery. Here are a few of the many scientific studies that show the benefits of chocolate milk as a recovery drink: