Whole milk or skimmed milk?

lozzieemayjenkins

I've recently upped my calories from the measley 1000 I was stupidly eating to a healthier 20% cut from TDEE at 1900..

I'm having a bit of trouble hitting my calorie number with healthy foods, so one swap I've made is from using skimmed milk in my protein shakes to whole milk...

Question is, is this okay? I understand there's more fat in whole milk, but is it a good healthy fat that I shouldn't worry about?

The rest of my calories are used on things such as protein shakes, oatmeal, berries, almonds, peanut butter, eggs, salmon, chicken & vegetables. Oh and Greek yogurt.

dirtyd89

Skim milk by far way less fat.
Though I suppose if you want some fat in your milk then 1% would be a good option too.
(Better then whole & 2% milk in that regard.)
I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you want to cut down skim milk is a great option if you want some good fats but not too much go with 1% milk.

WendyTerry420

I always drink whole milk. Fats in milk are good for you. That's a very healthy way to increase your calories.

CupcakeConnection

Just keep in mind that skim milk has more sugar. Usually when something is removed, like fat. Something else is added, like sugar and carbs. Just depends on what works for you, your body and your eating choices. I drink organic 2% because I do not want a lot of fat or sugar. So 2% for me is a happy medium.

JesterMFP

Just keep in mind that skim milk has more sugar. Usually when something is removed, like fat. Something else is added, like sugar and carbs. Just depends on what works for you, your body and your eating choices. I drink organic 2% because I do not want a lot of fat or sugar. So 2% for me is a happy medium.

skimmed milk doesn't have sugar added (at least not in the UK, can't speak for elsewhere) - it just has a higher proportion of the natural sugar that's present in all milk (lactose), because of the fat that 's been taken away.

OP - i'd say switching to whole milk is a great way to increase your calories.

singer201

Full-fat dairy is good for you. Sugar isn't really added to skim or lower fat milk, it's just when they remove the cream, the percentage of lactose (milk sugar) is higher.

pinkyswizz

Dont drink any animals milk, drink soya, rice or oat milk. I have lost a stone and a half in the last six months by cutting out all dairy and meat products and i look healthier too.

fayeonherway

Dont drink any animals milk, drink soya, rice or oat milk. I have lost a stone and a half in the last six months by cutting out all dairy and meat products and i look healthier too.

I'm glad that worked FOR YOU, but don't assume it will work for everyone else. :grumble:

OP: I like skim milk personally because whole milk makes me gag. However, if you want ways to meet your calorie intake, whole milk may be the better option.

rcaruthie

Many nutritionists will recommend using whole milk - it is a good change to make IMO.

Cr01502

Question is, is this okay? I understand there's more fat in whole milk, but is it a good healthy fat that I shouldn't worry about?

Yes. It is good for you. Particularly if you're upping your calories and need more fat in your diet.

The only fats I would caution against is trans fats.

shelbygt350h

I am a milk lover...but while trying to lose weight, I switched to UNSWEETENED Almond Milk (SILK), and UNSWEETENED Coconut Milk (SO). They have much less calories, sugar, and sodium. The Almond Milk has extra Calcium. I even dilute these with water when I get thirsty, or want a hot drink. When not doing the weight loss thing...SKIM would be the choice if I go back to COWS MILK.

Cr01502

Dont drink any animals milk, drink soya, rice or oat milk. I have lost a stone and a half in the last six months by cutting out all dairy and meat products and i look healthier too.

Shenanagins85

Unsweetened almond milk!!

holothuroidea

Have you considered soy milk?

Whole cow's milk has 146 calories per serving. It's macro ratio is 30/49/21.

Unsweetened soy milk has 120 calories per serving. It's macro ratio is 15/45/40.

So if you switched to soy milk, you'd get a comparable amount of calories but twice the protein!

If you want to split it into good and bad fats, the fat in milk is a high percentage of saturated fat. It's the exact same fat that's in butter (butter is just isolated milk fat). Do you consider butter a healthy fat?

I actually don't think milk fat is necessarily unhealthy in moderation but I suggest you do some research for yourself because there's a lot of conflicting advice out there. But anyway, if you want a protein boost, try soy milk!

JesterMFP

I am a milk lover...but while trying to lose weight, I switched to UNSWEETENED Almond Milk (SILK), and UNSWEETENED Coconut Milk (SO). They have much less calories, sugar, and sodium. The Almond Milk has extra Calcium. I even dilute these with water when I get thirsty, or want a hot drink. When not doing the weight loss thing...SKIM would be the choice if I go back to COWS MILK.

OP is trying to increase calories, not lower them.

NWLARealtor57

My favorite milk is Almond Breeze unsweetened original or vanilla , it is great in protein shakes and smoothies! No sugar and only 1 carb per 8 oz. I haven't bought regular milk in almost 2 years now.

holothuroidea

Dont drink any animals milk, drink soya, rice or oat milk. I have lost a stone and a half in the last six months by cutting out all dairy and meat products and i look healthier too.

Promoting veganism as a weight loss diet is misleading at best. Being vegan doesn't stop you from over eating, and it doesn't fill your body with magic happy unicorns that eat your fat away while you sleep.

You lost weight because during your switch you reduced your caloric intake. This makes sense if you were eating a lot of full-fat animal products before and replaced them with a load of veggies and legumes like a lot of us do in the beginning (and you don't have to be vegan to do that, either).

This is a health and fitness forum, it makes sense to talk about the cardiovascular benefits of a whole-food plant-based diet (or how it makes staying under your calorie goal easier because it's loaded with filling low calorie foods, fiber and protein and lower in fat) but it does not make sense to come here waving a flag for veganism like it's a magic cure for obesity.

</rant>

poedunk65

almond milk

garnet116

I don't like the way skim milk tastes.. it's so watery and the slight blue tint to it is weird. lol. I personally like 1% and occasionally 2% if that's all that's in the house. My kids drink whole and on rare occasion I've used that but I look at it like a treat.

combatbunny

I drink soy silk. It tastes incredible and is full of vitamins and nutrients and is less fatty then animal milk. Cow's milk just smells and tastes sour to me now.

cwolfman13

Have you considered soy milk?

Whole cow's milk has 146 calories per serving. It's macro ratio is 30/49/21.

Unsweetened soy milk has 120 calories per serving. It's macro ratio is 15/45/40.

So if you switched to soy milk, you'd get a comparable amount of calories but twice the protein!

If you want to split it into good and bad fats, the fat in milk is a high percentage of saturated fat. It's the exact same fat that's in butter (butter is just isolated milk fat). Do you consider butter a healthy fat?

I actually don't think milk fat is necessarily unhealthy in moderation but I suggest you do some research for yourself because there's a lot of conflicting advice out there. But anyway, if you want a protein boost, try soy milk!

The OP is trying to get more calories, not less because she's having difficulty achieving her calorie goal.

OP...yes, switching to whole milk is a good thing so long as you're keeping your overall saturated fats in check. I personally do 2%, but I don't do a whole lot of dairy...it is a very minimal part of my diet.

I recommend cooking with some olive oil...olive oil is chalk full of heart healthy monounsaturated fats....sounds like you're already doing the nuts and nut butters. I'd also recommend some avocado...lots of nutrients and health benefits associated with avocado.

1223345

I drink 1% milk. Sometimes I crave whole milk and I will drink it then. I would not do skim milk at all. You do need some fat.

toddis

People keep repeating that whole milk is good for you...Since when?

ichoose2believe

I would say switch to something like 1% or 2% first it has the calories and the fat and the taste is a bit closer to what you are use to drinking skim milk. We stick with 2% in our house for the most part everyone likes the taste and I feel its a good balance of healthy fats and nutrients. HTH.

SRH7

I always drink whole milk. Fats in milk are good for you. That's a very healthy way to increase your calories.

Agreed. Whole milk tastes lovely (coffee isn't the same without it!) and as long as you count the calories, you will be fine. It's a really good way to boost your calories (as is a spoon of coconut oil in your coffee, cream on your fruit and peanut butter eaten straight from the jar!). This whole obsession that others have with fat-free and/or no dairy has little basis in fact.

klhessling

Do what works best for your macros. I am always over on fat so I drink skim

1223345

Have you considered soy milk?

Whole cow's milk has 146 calories per serving. It's macro ratio is 30/49/21.

Unsweetened soy milk has 120 calories per serving. It's macro ratio is 15/45/40.

So if you switched to soy milk, you'd get a comparable amount of calories but twice the protein!

If you want to split it into good and bad fats, the fat in milk is a high percentage of saturated fat. It's the exact same fat that's in butter (butter is just isolated milk fat). Do you consider butter a healthy fat?

I actually don't think milk fat is necessarily unhealthy in moderation but I suggest you do some research for yourself because there's a lot of conflicting advice out there. But anyway, if you want a protein boost, try soy milk!

It is not possible for me to agree more! I have a vegan relative who weighs 250 lbs. And it aint muscle. We do need some fats even the saturated fats. It is trans fat you need to worry about avoiding.

S_Arr_Uh

Has everyone forgotten about semi-skimmed milk? Middle ground!

(Not that I drink it, but when I do drink milk, which is rare, I drink the blue-top milk that mum buys, so whole. But semi-skimmed isn't too bad to get accustomed to if you don't like skimmed and don't want to drink whole!)

fit_librarian

I drink whole milk personally. It keeps me fuller longer, so I don't need a lot...and I really just use it in my coffee.

holothuroidea

The OP is trying to get more calories, not less because she's having difficulty achieving her calorie goal.

OP...yes, switching to whole milk is a good thing so long as you're keeping your overall saturated fats in check. I personally do 2%, but I don't do a whole lot of dairy...it is a very minimal part of my diet.

I recommend cooking with some olive oil...olive oil is chalk full of heart healthy monounsaturated fats....sounds like you're already doing the nuts and nut butters. I'd also recommend some avocado...lots of nutrients and health benefits associated with avocado.

I know she's trying to increase her calories. She's concerned about the fat, so I was giving her an alternative that was close in calories that might fit her macros better.

Seriously, it's only 26 less calories. o_O

mtfr810

I've never been much of a milk drinker. It fine for cereal and coffee, but not not just to drink. But if I had to drink it it has to be whole. Skim does nothing for me. Funny thing is I've always been a half & half guy in my coffee. That was one of the things I cut out to help reduce calories. I made the switch totally to unsweetened almond milk. I'm totally used to it now and actually really like it. I'll even drink it!