Milk

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2/22/13 9:32 P

Thanks for the help! We actually know some local farmers who have grass fed cows on rotating pasture. We're thinking of trying to get as much as we can organic from them. We can't buy milk straight out, but you can purchase a "share" of the cow which entitles you to a certain amount of milk per month, but it is fairly expensive, so we're still thinking about it :) I switched to skim milk today, and didn't notice any difference so that's good enough for now :)

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2/22/13 3:00 P

Regards raw milk: If you know a good and trustable souce, give it a go. I don't, at least with enough certainty on my part. I buy my milk local, however; milk and yogurt from a local and reputable supplier. I've also bought goat yogurt from Redwood Hill Farms, which you can find in some health food stores.

I do find that dairy products tend to slow down my weight loss, but that my digestive system (eating yogurt - HEALTHY yogurts) feels better after. So, I'll take a slower but healthier pace.

Edited by: CEDARBARK1 at: 2/22/2013 (15:00)

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2/22/13 2:48 P

I still buy whole milk. But since 90% is for a squirt in coffee, I'm fine with that. I can do 2% taste-wise but any less is icky and like cloudy water.

Since reading they do all sorts of manipulations to the lower fat percentages for milk -- dehydrating and oxidizing and all, then adding certain stuff back, I've decided to stick with whole milk. Just a lot less of it.

And don't get me started on "low/no fat" half and half. What the heck is THAT????? It sounds terribly like either an oxymoron or fake industrial food.

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2/22/13 2:31 P

I don't drink anything except coffee (in the morning) and water. First cup of coffee has 2% milk in it, the rest is black. I don't even put milk on my cereal-- I eat it dry.

You could try cutting back to 2% and if that goes ok, try 1%. I used to drink skim way back when I was in college-- it's very watery and does not taste like milk. If you put it over ice and make it really cold, it's easier to get down. I got used to it. But DH won't touch anything but 2% and we don't go through milk fast enough to justify buying 2 kinds. I try to get my calcium through other foods-- yogurt, cheese, etc.

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2/22/13 1:48 P

I grew up on 2% milk.

In 1997 when I was 30 I figured out (with the help of my doctor) that I was lactose intolerant. I started using the lactose pills. I also started drinking lactose free milk. The fat free was great and sweeter than normal milk.

3 years ago, I started trying other types of milk. I drank soy on and off, but with my thyroid problems, I shouldn't have soy. I tried rice milk...sweet but a lot of calories and carbs.

Then I tried almond milk. The 40 calories SUCKED!! So weak and watery! The 60 calorie wasn't bad at all. Lower calories than even skim milk, but with the fat content of 1%. Lower carb too. I did not try coconut milk. Too much sat fat for me. But I did try the almond/coconut blend. It was okay.

So, now I drink regular milk with my coffee and almond milk with meals. As another member said, try making your own.

As far as having raw (unpasteurized) you may want to watch that. Unless you heat the milk yourself to kill the harmful bacteria.

I wish you luck.

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2/22/13 1:25 P

I grew up on whole milk, and eventually worked my way down to skim milk after I grew up and moved out on my own and was diagnosed (at a healthy weight and at 19 years old) with cholesterol problems. It took time to get used to the thinner milk, but definitely was better for my cholesterol, and eventually whole milk was weird for me - too thick.

Recently I've really gotten away from a lot of dairy altogether for various reasons, and I use a lot of coconut milk, which is less calories than regular milk and I like the taste. I get both the unsweetened (45 calories per cup) and vanilla (85 calories per cup), and use them both in various things - I drink the vanilla straight or with cocoa and sugar for hot cocoa or cold chocolate milk, and I use the unsweetened for cooking and such.

There are plenty of dairy substitutes (soy, rice, coconut, almond, etc) if you want to get away from dairy, or switching to a lower % of milk fat if you want to keep drinking milk will work as well for calorie reduction.

Good luck. :)

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2/22/13 1:03 P

I don't drink milk at all. I don't like it, never have, probably never will. I'll use it in cooking, or occasionally to dip graham crackers in for a snack. If you don't like it, then don't drink it. You can get the vitamins that are in it from other sources.

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2/22/13 12:56 P

I make my own almond milk that way i don't have to worry about any processing. Yesterday i made such a good one it almost tasted like hot chocolate with lots of froth on top.
it was made with almonds, dates, some vanilla extract, carob and water. it was so awesome.
I make plain almond milk as well.
i can't stand dairy. I hate the taste of milk almost as much as I hate mushrooms

As far as raw milk, that is one of the best ways to go. Yes maybe some more calories, but there is not processing involved. just make sure the cows are 100% green fed to get the most nutritious raw milk possible. Unfortunately where I live, it is against the law to sell it. however i know lots of people who love it.

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2/22/13 11:15 A

I only buy skim milk.

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2/22/13 11:10 A

I actually don't drink milk alone...don't like the taste of that either ;) I do use it in my morning smoothie though....smoothie is essential since I don't like to eat vegetables (except salads) so it helps me get enough in for the day ;D

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2/22/13 10:58 A

I'm not a fan of almond milk, either. Just switch to 1% or 2%. It doesn't help you if it's lower in calories, but you don't like it. ;) A better option may be to cut back the amount of milk you're drinking, and switch to more water!

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2/22/13 10:50 A

I don't drink coffee, tea or soda and hardly any juice (maybe once a month). I was trying to figure out a way to cut calories and switched my whole milk for Almond milk.....I've tried for a week and I just don't like the taste. Even in smoothies, I can still taste it. Any ideas? I'm think about just switching to 1%.

Also, I am thinking of buying a cow share to get raw, organic milk but I'm wondering if it would be worth the calories, or if I would even be able to track the calories. Any ideas? Anyone use raw milk?

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