I have read often that chocolate milk makes a pretty good recovery drink. What I was wondering was whether there was any essential difference between the chocolate milk that is in the dairy case, ready made by the dairy, and regular 2% milk with Hersheys chocolate syrup added. I am thinking the syrup plus milk route will be a lot cheaper and more convenient.
Thanks,
Geoff
I love a glass of chocolate milk after a long session. Kills the cravings that can undo any good the training did. I don’t think there’s any nutritional difference, just look at the label as some of the pre-made stuff is whole milk, some is 1 or 2%. I opt to add syrup for several reasons; we try to buy no added hormones milk (don’t know if it makes a difference but a local dairy provides it and it’s the same price), the pre-made is about $1/gallon more, and most importantly, my kids don’t drink it all while I’m out. They know the syrup and milk are there, but there’s something irresistable about that the brown jug.
I think Ovaltine is packed with the most vitamins of any of the powders you can buy. It’s more expensive though. I’ve resorted to the industrial-sized jug of Nesquik that we buy at Costco. It’s definitely cheaper than buying the ready-made choc. milk!
I put syrup in my chocolate milk. I have a serious chocolate problem.
Like others i think the syrup way is cheaper. I already have expensive milk (lactaid) so buying the bigger white lactaid jug is cheaper than buying two smaller. I also like to put some ice and peanut butter into it then blend it up with the magic bullet which makes an awesome recovery smoothie.
Read the label. The real question is should you be drinking milk at all?
Just don’t confuse chocolate milk with chocolate “drink”.
I opt to add syrup for several reasons;
You missed the most obvious. When I have the syrup I can add
a lot more chocolate than those pansies put in. 
-Jot
i opt for syrup. I can use my no hormone, not bad shit in there skim milk and I buy syrup that does not contain HFCS because I value my kidneys and the world. I can also adjust the amount of chocolate.
Having said all that, pre-made is a bit more expensive. The benefits are the same.
I think Ovaltine is packed with the most vitamins of any of the powders you can buy. It’s more expensive though. I’ve resorted to the industrial-sized jug of Nesquik that we buy at Costco. It’s definitely cheaper than buying the ready-made choc. milk!
I use Ovaltine. It’s not that expensive (compared to Endurox, etc) and it seems to have some nutritional value compared to a bottle of Hershey’s syrup. That way I don’t need to buy “chocolate milk”. I only buy skim milk, and I use it for cereal, coffee, etc, and I go through a gallon pretty quickly. If I buy chocolate milk, I only drink it “straight” and I never seem to drink the entire jug before it goes sour.
This is my favorite after a workout
.
I use Ovaltine and add it to my whole milk. Thats right, whole vitamin D goodness. I hate skim, 1%, 2% whatever milk and cant stand the syrup.
I use syrup when my training ends at home. When I decide to drive somewhere else for a change of scenery, I use those little boxes that don’t need refrigeration. I think it is important to get the stuff in you system as soon as you can after finishing the workout.
No difference.
I never use the syrup because all the ones I’ve seen are made out of high fructose corn syrup. If you get Darigold 1% chocolate milk it’s made with sugar instead 
-Brandon
I go for Chocolate Ovaltine when at home, but when I do a long run to work, it’s pre-mixed chocolate milk. Hmmm, chocolate milk…it is time for a trip to the vending machine.
Victor
.
Read the label. The real question is should you be drinking milk at all?
OK, against my better judgment, I’ll bite. Why not drink milk?
pah! you need to add this:
Straus + fudge is my life
.