One percent milk also has lower cholesterol, making it a more heart-friendly choice.ĭr. "For older children and adults, whole milk can be a source of unwanted calories and fat, particularly in this era when so many of us are overweight," she says. And after switching from whole to low-fat milk, make sure your toddler's diet has enough healthy fats for optimal growth and development.Īfter two years of age, low-fat milk (one or two percent) should be suitable for all kids older than two, says Dr. Most toddlers are picky eaters and need the extra fat for extra calories." This means it's best to skip the skim when filling your little one's sippy cup. In my pediatric practice, I usually wait until two years of age to switch a toddler from whole milk to two percent milk. "The question of when to switch from whole to low-fat milk depends upon your toddler's overall nutrition. "As babies grow into toddler years, most do not need the extra fat of whole milk and do just fine with two percent milk," Dr. At two years and older, you can transition your toddler to low-fat milk (one or two percent). At that time, it's best to switch to whole milk, as little ones need the fat and cholesterol for healthy brain development. William Sears recommends avoiding cow's milk until age one. If you're weaning your baby off breast milk or formula, you may be wondering what type of cow's milk to offer. Whether you're on a weight loss plan, have a lactose sensitivity or follow a vegan diet, milk can do your body good-as long as you drink the right kind. These days, there's a dairy (or non-dairy) variety to meet every taste, dietary requirement and lifestyle-and they don't always come from a cow. (adapted from Mayo Clinic Health Letter) - Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.Skim and almond and soy, oh my! The days of the milkman dropping off either whole or skim milk are long gone. With soy or almond milk, check the Nutrition Facts labels for adequate calcium and minimal added sugars. Almond milk - while not unhealthy - is less nutrient dense, especially in terms of its limited protein content.
Losing weight almond milk vs skim milk plus#
Unsweetened soy milk is the closest match nutritionally, plus you get a few grams of healthy fats that you won’t get from skim milk. Still, not everyone can tolerate dairy milk, and some may prefer to avoid animal products - or simply want to mix in something different. In summary, it’s tough to beat dairy milk for balanced nutrition - with nonfat skim milk the best choice for most adults. Remember, unflavored white dairy milk will have sugar listed on the label, but it’s lactose, which is naturally occurring milk sugar. Checking the Nutrition Facts label is the best way to find a taste you like with minimal added sugars. You may find 4 to more than 20 grams of added sugars in a sweetened - or flavored - beverage. However, for some, the taste of unsweetened soy or almond milk can be an issue. Unflavored white dairy milk and unsweetened soy and almond milk contain no added sugars. That said, your body may not absorb all of the calcium in soy milk since soy contains a natural compound (phytate) that inhibits calcium absorption.Īnd then there are added sugars. Many soy or almond milks are fortified with calcium to at least match the amount of calcium in dairy milk.
When considering calcium, dairy milk naturally has about 300 milligrams per cup, and dairy products generally are considered the best absorbed source of calcium. Of note, some newer nut milk varieties have added pea protein. Traditional almond milk lags behind with just 1 gram per cup. Soy milk comes in a close second with about 7 grams per cup. Soy and almond milks contain about 2 to 4 grams of fat per cup, but those fats are predominantly healthy, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.Ĭomparing protein content, dairy milk takes the protein title with a little over 8 grams per cup. This is important to pay attention to, as the American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat to no more than 7 percent of calories in your overall diet.
In terms of fat content, skim milk has negligible amounts of fat, but the amounts of cholesterol-raising saturated fat increase stepwise with 1 percent, 2 percent or whole milk.
Things that are important to focus on are fat content, protein, calcium and the amount of added sugars, if any, in each product. Generally, you can break down the benefits by reviewing the nutritional information for each beverage. However, there are wide nutritional differences, depending on the type of product and the brand. Are plant-based milks, such as soy milk or almond milk, healthier options?ĪNSWER: Cow’s milk (dairy) and other plant-based beverages, including soy milk and almond milk, all can be healthy choices. DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve always enjoyed drinking a glass of milk with most meals, but now there are so many options other than cow’s milk.
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