milk % does it matter?

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1/22/13 8:44 A

I have become so accustomed to the taste and consistency of skim milk, that when I happen to drink some 1% or 2%, it tastes too "thick and rich", if that makes sense. Guess it's a matter of personal preference.

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1/22/13 4:19 A

I only use skim - now that I'm used to it, I can't stand anything else.

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1/22/13 2:08 A

I am a huge whole milk drinker and I love it. I have found that one dairy in my area offers Ultra-Skim. Less calories than skim but it tastes like 2%. No kidding.

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1/22/13 12:32 A

"I don't like 2%, 1% or skim. They often have powdered milk added to them so that they aren't so watery."

I just want to point out that this is not the case in the United States. There are a few brands of milk that do have additional milk solids added, but they have to be labelled as such (and they're more expensive!) Also, whole milk in the US is usually about 3.25% milkfat versus 4% in Europe. In the US, the milkfat percentage is also listed somewhere on the label.

For me, the choice of milk would depend on what else you're eating. The primary difference is calories and saturated fat. If you don't eat much other saturated fat and you like the taste of 2%, then go ahead and use that. But if you also eat meat, cheese, eggs, butter, or other things like that most days, then you probably get more saturated fat than you really need, and dropping to 1% or skim milk is a relatively easy way to start reducing the saturated fat you get. And as another poster pointed out, by reducing the calories from fat, you get more of the other nutrients per calorie-- more nutritional value for your calorie "buck."

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1/21/13 10:10 P

wow, I cannot believe the amount of misinformation happening on this thread...

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1/21/13 7:46 P

Just to clarify...
Our sparkpeople site uses evidence based research guidelines for our weight loss program, or diabetes center and our heart healthy center. In fact a certified diabetes educator/dietitian designed our diabetes center using the latest nutrition research.

I respect your choice as an adult to select foods as you so desire.

However, It is important that you use evidence based research when giving suggestions to members on our site. This keeps our site safe for our 12 million members.

As additional research develops, we continually update our recommendations based on guidelines and interventions.

Thank You
SP Registered Dietitian Becky

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1/21/13 2:42 P

Thank you, dietician Becky, for keeping us informed of the facts!

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1/21/13 1:32 P

Becky, thank you for weeding out the bad information. Too bad you can't check every link in every thread.

I noticed nonfat milk seems to spoil more quickly than 2%. I was the only one in my family drinking nonfat and ended up throwing a lot of it away; sometimes it hadn't even reached its expiration date. I went back to 2% with the rest of the family, which tastes good, but of course is higher in calories. If I can find a grocery store that sells nonfat by the pint, I'll go back to nonfat.

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1/21/13 1:16 P

The information in the PDF does not contain accurate, evidence based practice guidelines for the treatment of diabetes. Statements such as:
no nore than 2 grains daily,
no more than 1 fruit serving
no use of artificial sweetener.
(I could to on and on)

Please do not use this reference!!!

SP Dietitian Becky

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1/21/13 8:17 A

I buy 1% for every day use and keep a small amount of whole milk at work to use for coffee.

Does anybody know if there's any nutritional difference between the different type of milk, besides the fat?

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1/21/13 7:51 A

I grew up on 2%... anything less tastes beyond nasty to me, and the way I figure, if I hate what I eat I'll just get frustrated and fall off the 'trying to eat healthy' wagon sooner or later.
The last few years I've been living in EU and theres a farmer that brings a bottle of milk over to my doorstep every saturday morning. OMG, this is beyond tasty! From the cow to your door without meeting mr.fridge (until you put it in)... I have no idea *how* i'm going to go back to 2% after I move back -_-;
Still, it has ~150cal/ glass, so I do have to watch it. Thankfully my family skims the cream off and saves it for other things (they made this awesome cheese out of it once; it was heaven), otherwise IDK *how* calorie and fat rich it would be X(
I think overall its what you can get used to, and how willing you are to sacrifice quantity for taste and ration it out accordingly.

Edited by: ALORTA at: 1/21/2013 (07:54)

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1/21/13 4:33 A

Nothing but whole milk for me, although I don't drink it. I use it in recipes or for the occasional cappuccino. I also eat whole milk yogurt. I don't like 2%, 1% or skim. They often have powdered milk added to them so that they aren't so watery. I prefer something less processed. I know whole milk is processed as well (since it doesn't come out of every cow at precisely 4%), but not as much as those with lower fat content.

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1/21/13 3:41 A

While SUEK has a point regarding the balance of the fats, carbs, etc, it is really a personal thing.

For me, I only drink skim cow's milk (I also drink almond milk on occasion, which is not skim). I don't like the taste of 2% fat in my drinks. I don't even like to add cream to anything. They never help me feel full- they just give a gross feeling in my mouth that makes me want to stop drinking it. Hence why I don't drink 2%.

2% has more fat than 1% or skim, and whole milk is 3.25% fat... This is not the good-for-you kind of fat either. That is not to say that drinking the milk fat is unhealthy per se, but that it isn't a necessary fat to include. You aren't missing out on much at all if you cut it out. But if skim or 1% doesn't satisfy you, then drink 2%.

Remember that it isn't JUST about calories. Weight loss is a good goal... but the main point of weight loss is health, right? (If that's not your main point, perhaps you are losing for the wrong reasons?) So look at all the other nutritional aspects. Would you rather have 90 calories of 2% milk (3.5 g fat, 5.6 g protein, 8.5 g carb, 21% DV calcium, 170 mg potassium or 90 calories of skim milk (0 g fat, 13 g carb, 9 g protein, 32% DV calcium, 440 mg potassium)? IMO it's not hard to see that skim milk packs more nutrients per calorie, which is more important than just the calories. But what is most important is what you will actually do.

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1/21/13 1:34 A

I always buy skim milk

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1/19/13 9:58 A

On the other hand, a little fat in your milk makes that glass of milk a more balanced snack when consumed by itself and not a part of a meal the includes fat. Milk has a very good balance of protein to carbohydrate. Fat eaten together with carbohydrate slows down the rate of entry of that carbohydrate into the bloodstream (in the form of glucose), which in turn stimulates less insulin production, ultimately giving better appetite control and creating less cellular inflammation in the body. Carbohydrates consumed in liquid form (such as milk) enter the blood stream faster than those eaten in solid form simply because of their greater surface area. When you plan to drink a glass of milk by itself, or with a very low fat meal, the better choice is a 2% fat milk.

Edited by: SUEK24 at: 1/19/2013 (09:58)

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1/19/13 9:04 A

they are basically the same product so i would just use the fat free. you definitely would get use to it. its an easy way to cut out fat and calories.

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1/18/13 3:57 P

not sure but use 1 % milk

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1/18/13 3:13 P

While you do need a certain amount of fat for overall health...
The statement in a previous post that "you need fat to burn fat" is not accurate or based on scientific research.

Cutting back on dairy fat and using skim or 1% is an easy way for folks to cut calories, fat and saturated fat. However, if you really enjoy the 2%, there are other ways to assure that your total intake for the day is within healthy ranges. Track your food intake. Add saturated fat to your nutrition tracker. Are you within your ranges for calories, fat and saturated fat???

SP Registered Dietitian Becky

Edited by: DIETITIANBECKY at: 1/18/2013 (16:41)

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1/18/13 1:26 P

Whole milk is 4%, so 2% is half the fat content. I am so used to putting skim milk (0% fat) on my cereal that anything else tastes like cream. As someone said, fat is needed too. Just track it.

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1/18/13 1:24 P

i will stick with 2% then thanx

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1/18/13 1:20 P

Well, 1% has less fat and calories, so it will take less out of your daily allowances. However, there's really nothing wrong with drinking 2%, and 1% won't cause you to lose more weight so long as you're not going over on calories.

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1/18/13 1:16 P

thank you

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1/18/13 1:04 P

its all about fat content. Remember you need fat to burn fat. I don't do dairy, but when I did-- i drank 2%. the others were too much like water. i have been off dairy for the past two years and don't miss it.

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1/18/13 1:00 P

will 1% appose to 2% help me loose more weight.

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