Could chocolate milk be the new cheaper alternative to all of the expensive protein shakes on the market? I've been coming across it a lot lately and found out why it may do the job just as well if not better.
Protein shakes are very popular, especially among people who lift weights. Protein aids in the recover of the muscles because when we lift weights, we are basically causing rips/tears in the muscles. When they repair, they grow bigger. Protein helps to speed up the muscle recovery. At least that is what I get from reading about it.
Benefits of Chocolate Milk as a Recovery Drink
- Milk's mix of high-quality protein and carbohydrates can help refuel exhausted muscles.
- Research suggests it may reduce exercise-induced muscle damage.
- Helps reduce lactic acid levels in the blood.
- Milk also provides fluids for rehydration and minerals like calcium, potassium and magnesium that recreational exercisers and elite athletes alike need to replace after strenuous activity.
It seems like a good alternative if you want to save money and have no preference in your sport drinks. What do you think?
Source: [telegraph.co.uk]
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Gold Standard 100% Whey, Double Rich Chocolate, 5.15-Pound Tub Average Rating:   |
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Milk is definitely a good source of many things including calcium and protein. Not so sure that i could be a replacement for the amount of protein that some are looking for in a protein shake.
Interesting post which can create a debate. Milk contains many good nutrients like protein, calcium and other minerals. Milk contains two types of protein ie casein(80%) and whey(20%). How do we get those whey protein powders is during the process of milk to cheese, whey is extracted and collected. The difference in casein and whey is casein protein is slowly digestible whereas whey protein digests faster.
After a strenuous workout, your muscles need a fast recovery drink and whey is highly favored due to its fast absorption in the digestive system and its release of amino acids in the muscle cells for fast repair of muscle fibers and growth of muscle tissues.
Milk is a good drink but I think after a workout, it might not represent the best kind of recovery drinks but might still help a bit though for it still contains some whey protein.
But before bedtime, when your body will be without nutrients for several long hours, casein protein is recommended. And milk is the best drink as compared to a whey protein shake. The slow release of casein proteins from milk into the digestive system will ensure your body does not get into muscle catabolism that is losing muscles.
I have been seeing a lot about this as well. I wonder if I am ahead of the game by mixing chocolate protein powder in with my milk? I also try and eat a good mix of carbs right after a workout to compliment my shake. I try and do a 4-1 carb to protein ratio.
I think mixing some milk(preferably skimmed or low fat) with the protein powders is a good idea, the focus being on the protein powder here. I usually do that. Adding milk will give the shake a better taste as well. And you also get the benefits of the calcium, and other important minerals.
In my earlier post, I mentioned that milk alone isn’t the best recovery drink but mixing it with a protein powder like whey for instance can’t hurt that much although some people will say that adding milk in a protein shake will slow the absorption of the whey proteins into the muscle cells as casein protein in milk is slowly digestible. But since it’s a mixture, the absorption can still be good as the main focus is on the protein powder and the milk is only in limited quantity mostly for taste and some other benefits.
Eating carbs mostly complex carbs like yams, oats, brown rice, wholemeal bread for instance is important after a workout but not necessarily right after it I think. But the protein shake right after the workout or within 15 minutes is important for immediate recovery. After 1-1.5 hour, a solid meal consisting of complex carbs and some lean protein is vital.
makes total sense, but I’d say a little more protein content would be good
I’m a huge chocolate milk fan. I wont even drink regular! This is the best news I have heard in a while.
Any specific type of chocolate for the mixer?
Yes, milk can be a decent recovery drink, especially in a pinch!
There are only 8g of protein per cup of milk however, so drink up
. Fortunately the carbs in milk, which often act as high GI carbohydrates, will be beneficial in repleting lost glycogen from the muscles.
Perhaps the most effective strategy would be to combine milk with a supplement.
Milk is a fantastic source of protein and carbohydrates. But if you are on a high protein diet plan. You will need to drink lots of the white stuff to get your recommended daily protein intake.
Protein powder has ever been so cheap and if you buy in bulk, personally I thinks it works out much cheaper than buying chocolate milk. Plus you will be getting many more grams of protein. You can get your carbs from other sources such as rice and pasta.
I usually drink milk after a workout when I don’t have a protein shake at hand. I still favour a decent protein shake though.
Chocolate milk can have a lot of sugar in it, no? Is there a certain type of chocolate milk that we should drink? Or is it just meant to mix in with the protein powder?
I majored in exercise physiology in college and was told that chocolate milk is just as good as whey protein. Largely in part because your body can only absorb so much protein and anything not absorbed is just excreted through urine. For example, say your body can only absorb 40g of protein/day. In your daily diet you take in 30g of protein and then decide to drink a whey protein shake that has 40g of protein. Well your body can only absorb another 10g so the other 30g is excreted. So in reality your paying for whey protein to pee it out.
Bill, just because you were told that its just as good doesnt mean its right.