Chocolate Milk & You

Today's blog post is brought to you by Jill Roberts, a yoga instructor at Sundance.


"I don't trust anybody that doesn't like chocolate," I often find myself saying with a wink and a slight smile.  People that know me well have learned the hard way that if there is chocolate near me, I don't share.  Game on, it's mine.
 
So, when studies came out about how good chocolate milk is for marathon runners I was doing backflips, front flips and sticking my arm balances in yoga with traces of a chocolate milk mustache. 
 
I'll be running my 21st marathon in April and feel like each 26.2 mile run teaches me something new.  I started drinking chocolate milk as part of my training diet around 3 marathons ago and I swear  it has kept me healthier and stronger than I was before discovering this smooth beverage.  Below I mention the science behind the nutrition of this drink, but I can tell you that in drinking this as opposed to the alternative sport drinks out there, I felt better because my sugar intake came down.  Yes, there is some sugar, but compared to the other options, I feel like it is a healthier alternative.
 
I'm not a fan of supplements, but I knew I wasn't getting enough of the "good things" runners require.  I dabbled in trying to take daily vitamins but I didn't like the way I felt and the cost was killing me.   So clearly, excitement flooded me when I realized that this chocolaty goodness can fill with magnesium, sodium and potassium which is obviously critical for marathoners and it also has vitamin D for healthy bones. 
 
In addition, studies show that distance runners (especially women) experience bone density problems because of the "pavement pounding" and often times, low body weight, so calcium intake can be increased through milk.  Another bonus is that milk also contains protein which is essential for repairing muscles after long runs.
 
Clearly, chocolate milk is very easy to prepare - glass, pour milk, add chocolate, stir, enjoy.  But if you're looking to add a little more zip to your drink, see my suggestion below.  
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All you need to do in 5 easy steps!
 
1. pour milk into blender
2. add ice (as much or little as you prefer)
3. instead of chocolate powder, use Nutella hazelnut spread - if you're really extremist, use more than one scoop of Nutella spread! ;). (always remember if you're running crazy miles, the extra calories are needed!)
4. Hit the blend button and pour into glass
5. Gulp with a smile and then head to a restorative yoga class!
 
**some of my runner friends have added a few orange slices too!  I didn't particularly love the taste, but you can try it!**
 
In closing, if you are 26.2% as radical as myself or more, try a nice large glass of this refreshing beverage when you unlace your sneakers filling your belly with a chocolate hug!