The Many Benefits and Forms of Chocolate Milk
Chocolate milk is made by combining regular milk with cocoa flavoring, either in powder or liquid form. Most often consumed by children and young adults, chocolate milk is now considered to have the perfect combination of nutrients, even for serious athletes. Aside from its nutritional benefits, chocolate milk is a favorite among chocolate lovers. It can be bought pre-mixed in individual sizes or gallons, made at home with syrup or cocoa powder, or even heated for a warm treat.
Chocolate milk is a beverage made with two beloved ingredients: milk and chocolate. This combination is also popular in solid form as milk chocolate. What people love about chocolate milk (and milk chocolate) is the smooth texture and sweet, creamy flavor that the milk enhances. Pre-mixed chocolate milk can be purchased at grocery stores, but some prefer to buy milk and chocolate separately to control the fat content and flavor. The chocolate flavoring can come in various forms: cocoa powder and sugar, chocolate syrup, melted chocolate, or chocolate milk mix. While any of these options works, chocolate syrup is especially easy to use, mixes well, and provides the best flavor for chocolate milk (it can also be added to top ice cream—an added bonus).
The Benefits of Chocolate Milk for Athletes
Chocolate milk contains oxalic acid, which initially led researchers to believe that the calcium in chocolate milk wouldn’t be readily absorbed by the body. However, it turns out that the oxalic acid is present in such small amounts that its effects are negligible. Enough calcium remains free for the body to absorb. The focus has shifted to the replenishing effects of chocolate milk for athletes. A study done in 2006 examined nine male cyclists who rode a certain distance, stopped to break, and then rode again until completely exhausted. During the break, some were given Gatorade, some Endurox (a sports drink containing electrolytes, carbohydrates, and protein), and some were given low-fat chocolate milk. The cyclists who drank the chocolate milk biked 50% farther than those who drank Endurox, and the same distance as those who consumed Gatorade. Although Endurox has the same carbohydrate-to-protein ratio as chocolate milk (and costs at least twice as much!), it did not provide the same nourishment, possibly due to a different sugar composition.
The fast nutrient replacement from chocolate milk can make a significant difference in the performance of someone who works out every day. It is also an easy drink to give children involved in athletic activities. Many children (and teenagers, too) do not get enough vitamin D, calcium, and potassium in their diets, and chocolate milk helps provide those essential nutrients. Chocolate milk is very affordable and can be purchased or subsidized through school lunch programs.
Chocolate milk should be stored in the refrigerator like regular milk, but it is sometimes heated to make a hot chocolate drink. Usually heated in a microwave, hot chocolate is enjoyed during the winter months and is often topped with whipped cream. In Israel, chocolate milk, though not heated, is enjoyed from a smaller plastic bag. This convenient and portable drink is much like a juice box, except it has no straw. The consumer bites into the corner of the bag and drinks the milk directly through that tear. Hot or cold, bag or plastic jug, chocolate milk is enjoyed in many forms.
Many companies offer chocolate milk, including Nesquik, Yoo-hoo, Carnation, and Hershey. Each manufacturer offers a different chocolate flavor, and many are experimenting with new flavors, such as strawberry and banana. While other milk flavorings enter the market, chocolate milk remains the most popular. For a delicious chocolate milk treat, place ice cream, milk, and chocolate syrup in a blender. Blend until everything is mixed and frothy, then pour into cups and enjoy!
Chocolate milk is a wonderfully nutritious drink for children and adults and provides strength and nourishment, even for the most serious athlete. If chocolate milk is the only form of milk your child will drink, that’s okay! Low-fat chocolate milk is available and provides calcium and carbohydrates with slightly less sugar and fat than chocolate made with whole milk. Whether made with cocoa powder, syrup, or bought pre-mixed, chocolate milk is a widely available, affordable, and tasty beverage.
