Athletes come in all different shapes and sizes. They come from a variety of different sports and all have different goals – to be stronger, faster. However, there is one thing all athletes can benefit from: Drinking chocolate milk.
Low-fat chocolate milk is full of nutrients the body needs, such as protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins A and D, minerals (calcium, potassium, magnesium) and also water. A single-serve pint of Turner’s 1% Chocolate milk contains 300 calories – 5 grams of fat, 50 grams of carbohydrates, and 16 grams of protein. These nutrients are rapidly absorbed and metabolized by the body to produce energy and replenish what was used during strenuous exercise.
Take it from a professional. Ryan Gallagher, Head Performance Coach of Gallagher Performance in Murrysville, PA, often tells his athletes after a hard training session to go home and enjoy a nice glass of chocolate milk with dinner. Why?
“Chocolate milk is a delicious, affordable, and easy to consume option for hard training athletes. This is assuming an athlete can handle milk consumption from an allergy standpoint. If the athlete can tolerate milk, but lacks time or an appetite, chocolate milk can be a quick way to get nutritious liquid calories in to help their performance. It serves as a good source of protein and electrolytes to help build and rehydrate an athlete who is pushing their body.”
Recent research suggests low-fat chocolate milk is just as effective if not more effective as having a sports drink for post-workout recovery.
According to an article from Built With Chocolate Milk (MilkPEP), “In one study, post-exercise muscle biopsies in eight moderately trained male runners showed enhanced skeletal muscle protein synthesis after drinking 16 ounces of fat free chocolate milk compared to when they drank a carbohydrate-only sports beverage with the same amount of calories. This enhancement is a sign that muscles were better able to repair and rebuild.”
Milk plays an important role in any diet, but for athletes and their recovery, it could help take them to the next level. Next time you see someone working hard in the gym drinking a Gatorade, hand them Turner’s chocolate milk pint instead!
