Anyone not into non-fat milk?

Seeing as humans weren't even made to drink milk after infancy, I don't see how further doctoring it will have much health benefits to me. I've been drinking non-fat and 1% milk my whole life, believing 2% was simply a sin. Sure, some could argue that higher fat milk contains more bad fats, but honestly, how is 2% milk - opposed to non-fat - going to make THAT big of a difference?

Any thoughts on this?

What is the issue here? Seems like this is a non-issue. Yawn.

I don't know how much of a difference it will be.  I drink skim milk because I don't like the taste of full fat milk.  But, my mom thinks skim tastes like water and she buys this milk that is fat-free but it tastes like whole milk.  so maybe that is something that you can try out if your looking to keep drinking the low-fat milk, but wanting that full fat taste. 

Tastes like drinking butter in my opinion, but if you like it, go for it.

I'm not much of a milk drinker AT ALL. I honestly don't think I get enough calcium which really sucks..but I can't help it. I get some from cheese and sometimes yogurt, but that's about it. :/

You'll be fine with 2 percent if you watch your other food for high fat content and keep your calories in check.

Actually... I'm the opposite of most of the responses here.

I can't see the point of bothering with anything other than whole milk.  I could drink 2%, but it doesn't taste right.  Skim-milk?  Fat-free milk?   Not in a million years.  For me it doesn't taste right, and there are nutritional reasons.

Most of the vitamins and minerals we would naturally find in milk are fat-soluble.  Which means if you remove the fat...  you also remove nutrition.   So then your buying "fortified" skim milk...  that tastes like water and has to have vitamins and minerals  re-added.  I honestly don't see much point in that.

If your drinking skim milk for reasons of lowering fat content and calories... you are probably better off just going with a fortified milk substitute, like soy, rice, or almond milk.

At least that's my thoughts on the subject.  good luck!

Here's a good article on calcium & milk:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/w hat-should-you-eat/calcium-and-milk/index.htm l

I'm a big believer in eating what you like and not eating what you don't like. If you don't like milk, don't drink it. If you like whole milk, drink it. Whatever, you know?

LOL, Well you all are gonna think Im a sinner since I only drink whole milk.

I think people should just drink the milk they like (skim, 2%, whole, almond, soy, etc. - or even none at all).  Personally, I find anything higher fat than skim tastes like cream (which, to me, is a bad thing) - but I can understand thinking skim tastes watery if you're used to the higher fat stuff.  Really, it's a question of what you're used to (and, in my case, what my body will tolerate). 

Also, calcium isn't fat soluble, and none of it is lost in the skimming process.  That and protein are why I'm drinking milk.  Getting vitamin D's easy enough by spending a few minutes outdoors every day.

Agreeing with everyone here: drink whatever you like. You're the only one who has to see it in your food log, and as long as you stay within your cals it doesn't matter.

Personally I grew up on whole, I love whole, but my calorie-consiounceness (sp?) says "DONT DRINK IT!!! It's not worth the cals!!! Wouldn't you rather have something else?!?!" so I reach for unsweetend soy, almond, or skim milk instead.  

I think it's just a matter of preference. Keep in mind, though, that dairy fats are "bad fats" that should be limited in a healthy diet.

I agree that its hard to waste calories on milk. I drink probably 1-2 glasses in 2 weeks. It depends.

Everyone needs a little fat or your hair will fall out. 

Original Post by emilyd22222:

Keep in mind, though, that dairy fats are "bad fats" that should be limited in a healthy diet.

 Are you sure about that? A lot of the scientific community disagrees.

Original Post by floggingsully:

Original Post by emilyd22222:

Keep in mind, though, that dairy fats are "bad fats" that should be limited in a healthy diet.

Are you sure about that? A lot of the scientific community disagrees.

I'm with floggingsully on this one.  

Original Post by floggingsully:

Original Post by emilyd22222:

Keep in mind, though, that dairy fats are "bad fats" that should be limited in a healthy diet.

 Are you sure about that? A lot of the scientific community disagrees.

 I've also read enough articles lately that I don't buy the "good fat v. bad fat" concept either, at least when saturated fat is being referred to as bad fat, trans fat is another story.  When we are told that a healthy diet should be made up of at least 10% saturated fat and that total dietary fat of 20% is acceptable it seems odd to describe saturated fat is "bad" since it makes up half the fat recommended for a healthy diet, or at least a third if you max out your fat at 30% of your total which is still considered healthy.

On the other hand, everything we thought was true about healthy food yesterday we know to be false today. What will we know tomorrow?

 I heard that 8 oz of 2% milk has the same amount of saturated fat as 2 strips of bacon.  Saturated fat isn't "bad" since it is the same kind of fat that our own bodies make and store, but diets high in saturated fats have been linked to heart disease.

I used to only drink 2%, but I switched to skim a few years ago, and now I can't stand 2%.  It tastes like drinking cream.

Original Post by azaleasleeping:

... but honestly, how is 2% milk - opposed to non-fat - going to make THAT big of a difference?

It won't. 

Drink what you like - you're the one who has to guage what effects it has on your diet. for better or worse.  It's entirely possible to have a completely healthy diet with whatever fat content milk you choose.

Original Post by rainjoules:

 I heard that 8 oz of 2% milk has the same amount of saturated fat as 2 strips of bacon.  Saturated fat isn't "bad" since it is the same kind of fat that our own bodies make and store, but diets high in saturated fats have been linked to heart disease.

I used to only drink 2%, but I switched to skim a few years ago, and now I can't stand 2%.  It tastes like drinking cream.

 Evidently you didn't read the article linked above.

I drink 2% milk because that is what I like.  I like 1% just as well but it is not available in my local market.  But I really don't drink milk, I use it on my daily breakfast cereal.

While I'm not sure that I accept Men's Health as a reputable source of scientific information, that's a new perspective on dairy fats that I hadn't heard, so thanks for sharing. Like any other food, whether the scientific community is saying this week that it's good or bad, I think consuming it in moderation is the best bet. But if I'm trying to keep my daily intake of fats up, I'm going to choose olive oil and nut butters over dairy fats any day. But that's just my preference.

8 oz of skim milk is 86 calories, 8 oz of 2% milk is 122 calories, and 8 oz of whole milk is 150 calories

The difference between skim milk and 2% milk is 36 calories. The difference between skim milk and whole milk is 64 calories. All 3 of are healthy good clean foods that should be enjoyed. Personally, I'd rather save the 64 calories, drink my skim milk, and later have half a cup of nonfat greek yogurt. To each his own.