Best 'milk' for weight loss?

I don't really like milk, but have been thinking of adding porridge (oatmeal) or cooking some rice pudding or custard. Obviously, semi skimmed or skimmed milk is better than the full fat variety, but there are also many other options, such as almond milk, soya etc..

I bought almond milk once, and it looked horrible, it was separated and looked 'off'. I'm not sure if that is the way it usually looks, or I just bought a bad carton. I've tried soya in drinks from Starbucks, but have very limited experience using milk alternatives. What do you think is the best one to use with goods taste but low calories?
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Replies

  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    There is no "best" milk for weight loss. Pick what you like and work it into your calories.
  • vismal
    vismal Posts: 2,463 Member
    No milk is best for weight loss. Any milk can be utilized if it allows you to consume less calories per day than you burn. To that end, unsweetened almond or cashew milk is usually the lowest calorie milk available. That said, those two types of milk don't have much if any protein. So if part of your goals include getting a certain amount of protein they wouldn't be optimal. The bottom line is any and all foods can contribute to a weight loss plan so long as they allow you to remain in a calorie deficit.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    Regular milk is what I use. Good nutritional profile, inexpensive, and it isn't made with palmitate.

    I've been at maintenance for years. I use quite a bit of dairy. Greek yogurt, cheese, butter, milk.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    The one that fits your diet the best. I grew up using 2% so that’s what I still use for cooking or having cereal.
  • MissyCHF
    MissyCHF Posts: 337 Member
    edited October 2017
    I use semi skimmed, I just record it on mfi and so far I'm losing weight. Simples.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    No milk is best for weight loss, and it's not obvious that low fat is better than full fat - it has to be seen in context: How you choose to spend your calories, and taste, is individual and subjective, price can be a factor, not to mention allergies, religious faith and ethical values.
  • HeidiCooksSupper
    HeidiCooksSupper Posts: 3,839 Member
    I put soy milk in my coffee and heavy cream in my eggs. It's whatever works for you and makes you happy. Just count it.
  • KeithWhiteJr
    KeithWhiteJr Posts: 233 Member
    I'm a big fan of Cashew milk. I use it in my cereal.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    The one you like and doesn't make sticking to your calories harder. I use regular low fat milk for drinking, skim milk in oatmeal and cooking, occasionally drink goat milk or raw cow milk in the cheese making season, and homemade cashew milk during Lent (which is quite calorific and I need to make sure it fits my calories when using).
  • GrumpyHeadmistress
    GrumpyHeadmistress Posts: 666 Member
    I’m trying to up my fat intake so I’m currently buying whole milk.
  • Agent_Freckles
    Agent_Freckles Posts: 79 Member
    edited October 2017
    I agree with a lot that's been said, but Blue Diamond Unsweetened almond milk is only 30 calories per cup and doesn't have the hormones that is in regular milk....So that might be favorable for you. I've never noticed a "separation" of the milk, but have noticed that the label says to use it within 10 days of opening. That being said, I use it / keep it for much longer and I'm fine.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    I make kefir from whole milk, and my greek yogurt is made with 2/3 fat-free and 1/3 whole milk powders. One of the first changed I made when trying to lose weight now 95 pounds ago was to switch from 2% to whole milk.
  • tess5036
    tess5036 Posts: 942 Member
    edited October 2017
    Lol, I phrased the question poorly, looking for which one tastes the best, balanced with its calories. I've not tried many, so seeking opinions. As an aside, I'm not fond of cow's milk.
  • VeggieBarbells
    VeggieBarbells Posts: 175 Member
    @mmapags is right - There's loads of alternatives your just gonna have to try them all, until you find one you prefer. Alpro works in hot drinks for me and I can stomach about anything else in oatmeal. I never liked rice milk but I know others that do. Get your taste buds working.... Explore and enjoy the experience.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Whichever you like the best, which fits your calories and macros.
  • musicfan68
    musicfan68 Posts: 1,143 Member
    tess5036 wrote: »
    Lol, I phrased the question poorly, looking for which one tastes the best, balanced with its calories. I've not tried many, so seeking opinions. As an aside, I'm not fond of cow's milk.

    Well, again, it just depends. I would never drink almond, cashew or any other fake "milk" products because they taste awful to me. What tastes good to me (skim milk) may not taste good to someone else. You determine which tastes the best. We can't tell you what you would like.
  • ladyreva78
    ladyreva78 Posts: 4,080 Member
    tess5036 wrote: »
    Lol, I phrased the question poorly, looking for which one tastes the best, balanced with its calories. I've not tried many, so seeking opinions. As an aside, I'm not fond of cow's milk.

    Honestly? Go to the store, look at the various types of milk and pick one to try based on what macro/calories fit your needs best. Try it out. If the taste is a fit go for it. If it just tastes plain nasty, try another one.

    Taste is very subjective, so the only way to know is to try.

    Also, what stores near you carry will also be different.

    A friend of mine and I tried our way through the supermarket's entier selection of milk and ended up settling on the pasteurized, full fat cow milk, from pasture cows. We just couldn't deal with at times odd tastes from the various nut milks and I personally don't digest soja well (extreme bloating).

    Possiblities:
    - various cow milks (different fat contents and processing methods)
    - goat
    - sheep
    - Almond
    - Cashew
    - Oat
    - Soja
    - Coconut
    - ...

    You'll find various types (sweetened and unsweetened), some with added flavors (vanilla soja is a popular one around here) some plain. Really, depends on location/supermarket

    It might take you a few tries to find one you really like and it can cost a bit of money (especially if one you try is so vile that you end up dumping the rest), but it's worth it to figure out what you like (or can tolerate if you don't like anything).

    It's actually fun to try this together with friends - have a 'milk tasting' so to speak (also helps spread the cost a bit). You might even find some recipe ideas to use up some of those milks.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    If you want to try non-dairy alternatives, they're basically flavored water. If you don't feel like buying 10 cartons of different nut drinks just to try how they taste you can make them at home: soaked nuts/seeds/grain plus water in a blender.
  • Seffell
    Seffell Posts: 2,244 Member
    I use almond milk because it is 13cal per 100mil. I like how it tastes too. I use Alpro an it's never been split.
  • JustRobby1
    JustRobby1 Posts: 674 Member
    I agree with what others have pointed out that there is no "best". It all comes down to what you like and what you can fit into your calorie budget. While expensive, I personally really like Shatto Milk Company for use with my whey and protein shakes. It's friggin outstanding. Though I use plain old Nestle Quik sometimes also, I just wish they had the vanilla version in powder form.
  • CynthiasChoice
    CynthiasChoice Posts: 1,047 Member
    The only time I've seen almond milk separate is when I accidentally boiled it. I like Cashew milk myself, when I don't want to spend the calories on 1% cow milk. One thing to be careful about though is the large dose of calcium added to the nut milks. Too much calcium isn't good for you and can plug you up.
  • CynthiasChoice
    CynthiasChoice Posts: 1,047 Member
    I've found that some brands of almond milk taste much better than others. I've only tried the unsweetened varieties, but my favorite of the almond milk brands is Blue Diamond Almond Breeze in the refrigerated section.
    Some brands can be very bitter, I think.

    I actually prefer the taste of soy milk, but I don't consume soy anymore.

    BTW: I think that many of the responses you got were based on the title of your thread and not the content of your opening post.
  • jesheckah
    jesheckah Posts: 33 Member
    I hate the way normal milk tastes, but I've found that I like the way rice milk taste.
  • Unsweetened vanilla almond milk, at 40 calories per cup, is my favorite. I've never had a curdled carton - you must have had a bad one! Yes, it's not a big source of protein, but 2 cups per day is only 80 calories, leaving plenty of calories available for me to get adequate protein from my food.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    If you want something that tastes good, taste different varieties.

    I like homemade cashew milk, but it includes cashews, so is NOT low cal, contrary to what some post here. (Store bought is often, not always, just flavored water, so is lower cal.)

    Mostly I don't have any reason to use milk, so I don't. I like oatmeal (porridge) just made with water and then with either savory additions or fruit added. If I had it a lot, so for non savory versions (for savory I add egg), I'd want to add some fat, so would probably use the homemade cashew milk or whole milk (if you like it).

    For baking, including rice pudding or custard, I would tend to use dairy, you can't just substitute. But I'm sure there are some good recipes for other versions with dairy alternatives if you want to try them. I suspect coconut milk would be tasty in that use.
  • I usually choose unsweetened almond milk. I am allergic to milk so I have tried everything! Coconut milk is too "thick" to my liking and I try to limit my intake of soy so almond milk is my go-to. I usually use the unsweetened vanilla almond milk for my smoothies.