Milk--Fat vs. Calcium

[Jessica]

My family has a history of osteoporosis and so I am very concerned about calcium. I try to get it all from my diet instead of pills.
Anyway, I always buy skim milk and have for years. I eat cereal with it but I cannot stand to drink it. I bought some 1 percent milk (substantially more fat and some more calories) for a recipe and found myself drinking a glass or so a day, because it tasted good. Do you think this is so unhealthy that it outweighs the health benefits of more calcium. I eat yogurt, too, but it is hard to get all those milligrams. What kind of milk do you folks buy/drink?

[sneezles]

We buy 1% and after 20+ years my DH has finally quit complaining that it tastes like water. I'd never get him to agree to non-fat so I think the compromise is worth it. I also buy calcium fortified OJ and cereals (I don't eat the cereal but the boys and DH do). I tend to eat more yogurt than drink milk as it's more satisfying to me. I honestly don't think I get enough calcium so I do take a supplement, too.

[aggie94]

My husband and I drink 2%, because I simply can't get him to go any lower than that (he'd drink half & half if I let him) and because I don't want to buy two different kinds of milk every time I go shopping. I have a friend who didn't like to drink milk, unless it was icy cold, until she started shopping around and tried different brands. She ended up finding a local dairy whose milk she really enjoyed drinking. I didn't think there was much difference among milks, but I agree that it tasted better than the stuff I usually buy at the grocery store. I, too, buy calcium-fortified OJ, but I would definitely recommend a supplement for you. I find it impossible to get my daily calcium requirements from milk, cheese, and yogurt, so I take a multi-vitamin that has an additional 50% RDA of calcium. I figure between all those options, I should be getting enough. But to answer your question, I don't think 1% (or even 2% for that matter) is unhealthy -- besides, you're probably not drinking so much of it that you're getting that much extra fat or calories from it.

[Julie in AZ]

I haven't had milk for a long time - I prefer Silk regular flavored soy milk. I use it in my cereal, cooking, and my husband even likes it. As far as drinking a glass of it, I prefer the chocolate version. Soy has so many other benefits as well - worth checking into.

[beccathebaker]

I would say that the calcium benefits far outweigh the slight increase in fat and calories. I always think that if you like it and your body craves it-it's good for you! As a nutritionist I also believe that! I have recently read a study that shows that the saturated fat in some dairy called CLA has been shown in some studies to prevent cancer! This is all very preliminary, but you never know what is going to surface in the world of nutrition! So many things that we once avoided are now good for our health-chocolate, red wine, eggs etc.. So a round-about way of answering your question-go for the milk that you like and don't worry! -Becca

[laurenc]

I agree with Becca - every healthy diet needs some fat in it - and milk is such a great way to get some of that fat. Go for it!

[laden]

If you have Kroger grocery stores in your area try the Kroger brand Fat Free deluxe.

It comes in a plastic jug with an orange top (not be be confused with the Acidophilus kind)

It is a skim milk with additives to thicken but not add fat or calories. We love it. On the label they compare it to 2% milk. It's great!

[Beth]

In CA, all the skim (maybe lowfat too) has added milk solids to try to taste more like 2% or whole. It has a little more body. You could also stir in a little no-fat dry milk into skim or 1/2% if that's available. But if 1% is what works for you, drink it and keep your bones healthy. You'll need them for a long time.

[Kristilyn1]

I would definitely suggest Smart Milk (I think that's what it is, by Hood? The skim milk tastes like 2%. Personally, I find it too thick--I really like the taste of skim, but I would suggest trying it!

Kristi

[Jessica]

Thanks for the ideas. We don't have Kroger stores here but I am going to look for one of those Smart Milks. I have never seen 1/2 percent; we have skim, 1, 2 and whole.