Chocolate milk post-workout: nutritious choice or big glass of hype?

Chocolate milk likely isn’t the most obvious example of a refreshing post-workout drink. But according to Ottawa Senators conditioning coach Chris Schwarz, you should think again.

In a promotional video, he explains why he looks to the sweet drink as an important post-workout beverage.

“It provides all the nutrients that you’ll need and it’s something that you can [drink] over and over again, whether you’re in a rink or on a field or whatever,” says Mr. Schwarz. The video is featured on rechargewithmilk.ca, a site created by the Dairy Farmers of Canada to promote chocolate milk.

Once preferred mainly by schoolchildren, chocolate milk is being recast as an essential tool for hardcore athletes and casual exercisers alike . In late 2008, the Dairy Farmers unveiled an advertising campaign to position chocolate milk as an important recovery beverage after exercise. New ads began appearing in the last few months, and the association is sponsoring triathlons, marathons and other races across the country, and handing out free products and promotional material to its target audience. [Continue]

160 calories & 25 grams of sugar per serving essentially negates most people's workouts! Furthermore, grown-ups don't actually need milk.