Last week I took my son to a mid-day doctor’s appointment. Actually, it was a late morning appointment, but we sat in the waiting room for an hour and it was actually early afternoon by the time we were done. We stopped to get some lunch before heading back to school (him) and home (me), but I decided that I wanted to wait and eat at home, where some yummy (and healthy!) leftovers waited in the fridge. Still, I was hungry and it was going to be another hour before I could eat, so I scanned the menu for tide-me-over snack options.
I decided to get some low-fat chocolate milk, knowing that it was a relatively good option. My son made his usual Chipotle double order (burrito bowl with extra sour cream and a cheese quesidilla) and then said with teenage disdain, “Is that your snack, Mom?”
It was actually a few months ago when I realized what a good snack low-fat chocolate milk can be. I had heard about the studies showing that low-fat chocolate milk was a “perfect” post-workout snack, but since I exercise in the morning, I usually just refuel with breakfast.
The studies must have been in the back of my mind, because when I was making a mid-morning Starbucks run and realized that I was *starving* I checked out the nutrition information on the low-fat chocolate milk boxes. With 150 calories and 8 g protein, I decided it was a better option at that time than the Kind bars (190 calories, 3 g protein) and the dry roasted almonds (160 calories, 5 g protein). Since then, I have added low-fat chocolate milk to my list of healthier airport snack options–I always crave more chocolate when I am traveling! While I generally don’t like to drink my calories, there is something about chocolate milk that is satisfying and filling.
After coming to this realization myself, I now question the trend among some public schools to ban chocolate milk from school lunch programs. While I first thought it was a good idea, I did hear interviews with nutritionists who felt that the health benefits of chocolate milk–the calcium, the protein, the vitamin D and other vitamins–outweigh the drawbacks of the added sugar. They said that, on balance, most children are better off drinking low-fat chocolate milk than not, especially since many children simply will not drink plain milk at school. (I have my own miserable memories of lukewarm milk from the school lunch line!)
Do you drink chocolate milk?
Has your school system banned chocolate milk from the lunch line?
If so, does it still offer juice, soda or cookies?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
I use Ovaltine for my chocolate milk. I was re-introduced to the product at a blog conference this year and love that they took out the artificial ingredients. (Yes, it's still processed, but it's a better option.) And yes, I think it's a good snack option. I even had a little bit of coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up. I don't know about the school system here since my little one is in pre-K, but I don't agree with cookies/highly processed crackers as a healthy snack options. (Or "fruit" gummies, don't get me started on those!)
I never liked the "malt" flavor of Ovaltine. When my kids were young, I didn't realize that fruit snacks were really candy. I mean, is there any measurable difference between those and gummy bears?!
Guess what? Since that one time a month ago when you tweeted @ me that people who get a lot of protein recover better I started drinking a cup of chocolate milk with whey protein in it every morning. It's your fault. But it's a great, easy way to sneak in some more protein. So thank you!
Of course, now that you're older you will have to start mixing in Metamucil!
I've been doing chocolate milk for recovery for a few years now. It's sooo great! I really prefer that to anything.
Most of the time I just eat a meal after my workout (dinner during the week or lunch on Sundays). But for Saturday morning workouts I eat a snack before the gym (english muffin with peanut butter) and then a chocolate milk when I get home because it's not lunch time yet. It works great to get me through. Love it!
I love chocolate milk, or plain milk, really just milk. I don't really let myself drink it anymore though, I tend to go cookie crazy… I really like chocolate milk for a post long run recovery drink.
My 4yr old is only offered low-fat or non fat milk at his preschool, I am not sure what the rest of the school district does.
As you may recall, I swear by my skim milk/cocoa powder/splenda hot chocolate. It is usually part of breakfast, but sometimes is a snack. The cocoa powder supplies a measurable amt of iron and fiber…the splenda is not great b/c it is artificial, but it tastes fine in this mix and helps me avoid some sugar cals 🙂
Thank you very much. This was a great help.
Pingback: Rockin’ My Goal | Running With Perseverance