Taste Life Blog

Originially posted on the Dairy Report

By Stephanie Cundith, MS, RD, LD

With two big races on the horizon this year, my first ultra marathon (31 miles) in March and my sixth marathon (26.2 miles) in November, I am resolving to train smarter in 2012. I want to be able to transition from one training effort to the next without great pause or injury. I’ve had enough good and bad running experiences to realize how important nutrition is to recovery, which makes me ever more mindful of the fact that what and when I eat and drink will be key to my success.

Enter chocolate milk, a tried and true fuel source. Here are several reasons why it is a smart sportsbeverage choice and why it is what I’ll reach for immediately after my training runs in the New Year.

• Scientific support – A recent review of research points to chocolate milk as an effective beverage for muscle recovery. Specifically, the review noted that the protein and carbohydrate content of fat-free chocolate milk makes it an ideal choice to support an athlete’s skeletal muscle and whole body recovery following endurance exercise. As for rehydration, the review lists chocolate milk as an effective rehydration source, due to its water and electrolytes content.

• Nutritional powerhouse – Chocolate milk tends to deliver more nutrients than other competing sports beverages, including calcium and vitamin D for strong bones, carbohydrates for energy, protein for healthy muscles, and fluid and electrolytes to support hydration.

• Family recommended – The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend three servings of low-fat and fat-free milk or milk products every day for people ages nine and older. This means stocking chocolate milk in the fridge is a win-win for everyone in your household.

• Great taste – When compared to other sports beverages, I’ve found there is nothing more satisfying than the refreshing flavor of chocolate milk after a long training run.

• Easy to find –Bottles of low-fat and fat-free chocolate milk are readily available in retail grocery stores, convenience stores and quick serve restaurants.

For those of you with any type of fitness goal to work toward in the New Year, I hope you’ll consider the sports nutrition benefits of chocolate milk and how it can also help you train smarter in 2012. Here’s to a happy, healthy and fit New Year!