Doug ... your opinion?

[Rena]

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/10/30/benefits-chocolate-milk-after-your-workout/?test=faces

Do you think there is any truth to this? And what about a lower carb option using unsweetened almond milk? I make mine with 0 carb almond milk and Walden Farms syrup, so there are no carbs. If this article is correct, that would mean the chocolate milk I consume wouldn't work the same way. Is that how you read it also?

[Doug Varrieur]

I think the key line in this article is "Carbohydrate Content, Turning to post-workout chocolate milk immediately following your lifting sessions"

There are many types of workouts, I read this as a weight lifting muscle tearing workout. That's how muscles get bigger, you tear the muscle fiber during lifting sessions and the muscles repair themselves with protein and glycogen getting larger along the way. For weight lifters not interested in losing weight this may make some sense. For cardio workouts and light lifting it does not. After your "normal" workout a small meal which includes meats or eggs and greens, preferably spinach and a few berries will do the trick.     

[Rena]

Thanks. I do light lifting each time, but none of the heavy stuff. I was just curious if it would apply to that sort as well. Thanks, again.

[mouseissue]

Hi Rena!

This article reveals something interesting.
Right at the get go, it says;

"To get the best results from your training, ensure that your post-workout drink or meal is up to par.
After your workout, your body is most receptive to using amino acids to repair muscle tissue, while using carbohydrates to restore muscle glycogen."

The key phrase is "using carbohydrates to restore muscle glycogen".
The "use" of the carbs is for the metabolic energy required (from elevated blood glucose changed to glycogen by the liver) during muscle restoration.

If you're carrying around excess FAT, the energy stored in it could be used if you do not consume carbs.
This, in turn, would lead to FAT loss... A win, win!