Importance of chocolate milk during physical activity (+ our slow cooker hot chocolate)

Some people just crave chocolate milk to recover after exercising. Others are less enthusiastic about the idea. Who to believe? Here's everything you need to know about chocolate milk during physical activity!

Chocolate milk has long been recommended for having the ideal ratio of carbohydrates and proteins required for quick and maximum recovery after physical activity. But before deciding if chocolate milk is a good recovery snack, you need to figure out if you really need it! A post workout snack is not always necessary.

QWhen snacking is important

Generally, a snack after exercise is necessary under the following conditions:

• When the activity is intense and vigorous;
• When the activity is longer than 60 minutes;
• When another training session is scheduled within the next 24 hours;
• When your goal is to optimize your muscle mass (hypertrophy).

If at least one of these conditions is met, a snack (such as chocolate milk or other food combinations) can help optimize muscle recovery and replenish energy reserves for the next exercise session. That said, a carbohydrate/protein ratio of 3:1 is suggested for maximum recovery.

If the physical activity does not match these criteria, snacking is not necessary. A balanced meal eaten within one hour of the activity is enough. You should also drink plenty of water! Recovery will be much more efficient this way.

Is chocolate milk the preferred snack?

Chocolate milk is not the only recovery option and is not necessarily better than other snacks rich in carbohydrates and protein. Don't forget that chocolate milk is still contains added sugar. Should you drink it? Absolutely! Because it's good and it's uplifting! But perhaps not every day. On a regular basis, it is preferable to choose fresh and lightly processed foods.

Here are some ideas of ideal snacks for recovering after a sports activity:

• an apple + slice of cheese
• berries + unsweetened yogurt
• crackers + hummus
• a banana + a handful of nuts
• a homemade muffin + a glass of milk

Remember that drinking chocolate milk can promote recovery after physical activity, but that other foods can play the same role! However, after a nice day outdoors with the family, there's nothing better than a delicious hot chocolate prepared in your slow cooker!