Branded the beverage of champions, chocolate milk is crucial for any endurance athlete

Photo by Hussain Ibrahim/Unsplash

Why chocolate milk? It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals. It contains calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D that help support healthy bone structure. It has vitamin B-complex that vastly improves food-to-energy conversion. It’s full of protein and amino acids that help promote muscle repair as well as carbohydrates that quickly replenish lost energy during workouts.

Research has found that chocolate milk contains an ideal carbohydrate-to-protein ratio. This ratio helps your body quickly repair damaged muscle tissues after a punishing workout.

But for some athletes, it may not be the best recovery drink. If you are lactose intolerant, the health benefits may not be worth the discomfort. Consider chocolate soy milk as a good alternative. It may not have the same amount of nutrients compared with regular chocolate milk, but it contains prebiotic sugars stachyose and raffinose that help boost immunity and decrease toxic substances in the body. It is also rich in unsaturated fatty acids. And it is a lot easier on the stomach.

If you’re diabetic, however, watch your consumption. Even though it has amazing benefits, it still contains added sugar and may lead to exceeding your daily sugar allowance. If you’re following a diet, choose nonfat chocolate milk instead.

I’m a firm believer of this beverage. It’s packed with nutrients and it’s delicious, cheap, and easily accessible. Even professionals dig it. It’s a great alternative to expensive “high-performance” post-workout drinks. I always look forward to training because after every workout, I can reward myself with this tasty treat.