UHS volleyball receives grant for drinking chocolate milk
UNIONTOWN -- Uniontown High School has been recognized for refueling its volleyball team with chocolate milk.
UHS has received the Recover with Chocolate Milk Grant totaling $3,000. The grant program, funded by the Midwest Dairy Council, was launched this year to promote better nutrition in high school athletes by encouraging the consumption of 16 ounces of chocolate milk within one-half hour after practice, workouts and competitions.
The high school volleyball team will be provided chocolate milk following each practice session and game. Grant money will be used to purchase milk and coolers as well as shirts and posters promoting the Recover with Chocolate Milk program
New research indicates that chocolate milk can help the body refuel and recovery after a workout. Chocolate milk is a great tasting, inexpensive sports drink that provides a powerful package of nine essential nutrients which help build strong bones and strengthen muscles. In addition, it's 90 percent water, making it a nutrient--packed thirst quencher.
A study of young adult athletes found that chocolate milk was almost twice as effective as commercial sports drinks in refueling tired muscles. Researchers believe the unique combination of protein and carbohydrates in chocolate milk helped supply the athletes with necessary nutrients for recovery; protein for muscle repair and carbohydrates for replenishing energy stores.1
"High school athletes need to have a recovery beverage within half an hour after strenuous practice and competitions," Stephanie Cundith, MS, RD, LD, Nutrition Communications Program Manager for Midwest Dairy Council, said "Chocolate milk is a perfect solution for locker rooms and especially those long bus rides home," said
Twenty-eight schools in nine states -- Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and eastern Oklahoma -- received Recover with Chocolate Milk grants. The winners included both male and female athletes representing football, basketball, baseball, softball, cross country and golf teams.
For more information about chocolate milk recovery, go to www.midwestdairy.com.
Midwest Dairy Council is the nutrition education division of Midwest Dairy Association. The Council's mission is to promote dairy products as part of a healthy diet to consumers, health professionals, foodservice professionals and teachers. Midwest Dairy Council is funded by check-off dollars from dairy producers in the local region.
Those with questions may talk with a Registered Dietitian or School Nutrition specialist or call (800) 406-6455.