2%, 1%, or skim milk?

Holly1975

New member
After reading that my fat intake may be too low for optimal weight loss, I'm rethinking my "fat free" milk. What do you use and why?
 
When dieting down, I use skim.... simply b/c it is less calorie dense. If your fat intake is low, you want to make up for the shortage with unsaturated fats... not saturated.

Things like nuts, oils, fish, etc.

I take 6 grams of fish oil each day. On top of this, I eat nuts, natural peanut butter, and oil daily.
 
I use 1%. Generally speaking, it tastes a lot better than skim (not a skim fan) it is better for cooking, and there is only about 20 calories (per cup) of difference between skim and 1%. The key is in moderation (as in all things, right?)

If you like skim milk, though, stick with it, and consider finding a better way to add fat to your diet; a nutritional supplement like Steve takes might make a big difference. A lot of your food plan should come down to your goals, and looking for good ways to accomplish them.

It can also be a real pain in the neck to go BACK to skim milk if you get used to milk with fat in it, so think it over carefully before you decide one way or the other.
 
I use skim because it's what I was raised on but I know people will order 1% or 2% milk for their latte, I work at Starbucks, and well most of the time they will get skim unless we arn't slamed with people. I know we are horrible:p
 
Thanks for the replies. I went grocery shopping this morning and made it a point to buy some unsalted almonds, fish filets (although we usually catch our own fish) and olive oil for cooking. I really like sticking with whole natural foods rather than artificial products, so I feel really good about the foods that I bought this morning. I think I'll stick with fat free milk (is that the same as skim?). Even my kids don't mind it so why switch. I'm learning everyday, thank you.:)
 
I think I'll stick with fat free milk (is that the same as skim?)

It's the same thing. Skimmed milk has the fat removed while other varieties like 2% and 1% have some fat returned. Fully skimmed milk (less than 0.5g of fat per serving) can be labeled as "fat free" per USDA regulation.
 
It's the same thing. Skimmed milk has the fat removed while other varieties like 2% and 1% have some fat returned. Fully skimmed milk (less than 0.5g of fat per serving) can be labeled as "fat free" per USDA regulation.

I've been drinking soya milk in my coffee..but been thinking trying to drink rice milk.. anyone have anything to say about rice milk?? :rolleyes:
 
I've been drinking soya milk in my coffee..but been thinking trying to drink rice milk.. anyone have anything to say about rice milk?? :rolleyes:

2% milk and soy milk focus on fat and protein while rice milk focuses on carbs. It's up to you to see where or if they fit in your diet. They all have roughly the same amount of calories per serving.





To be honest, if you're going with rice milk because of the lower fat content, I'd just go with nonfat milk instead, if you can handle animal milk, because it's a good source of protein.
 
I like 2% but I have cut animal milk out of my diet. I have tried, rice, soy and almond. I have to drink rice or almond because soy does something to my throat( makes it hard to swallow) but I dont drink that much milk to begin with so I can leave it totally out if I have too.
 
The usual recommendation is that fats should make up to 33% of your calorific consumption, but you should try to consume no more than 10% saturated fat. Instead, try to make up your percentage of fats with polyunsaturates and monounsaturates. I agree with your philosophy of eating natural and wholesome.

To achieve my good fats intake, I eat almonds, walnuts, cashews - a few brazil nuts and hazel nut; pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pine nuts. Not too many if you are calorie counting, but if you want to top up your good fats at the end of the day, and have enough spare cals - then some nuts in a bowl covered with a little low fat yoghurt is a delicious evening treat.

I also often add flax oil (rich in omega 3), walnut oil, or extra virgin olive oil to my salads or steamed vegetables. I don't cook with any oils - even olive oil (having said that, I have the rare stir fry cooked with a little groundnut oil).

If you want to top up your omega 3, then either flax seed/oil, or eat oily fish - sardines, sild, tuna (but not canned), herring, wild salmon, mackerel, etc. Oily fish are unfortunately subject to pollution, and may carry levels of PCBs and mercury. For this reason, some authorities recommend that you limit consumption to one or two servings per week. Personally I love oily fish, so I eat it more often than that - but I also try to have whitefish each week.

Domestic animal meat and dairy - Domestic animals tend to have high levels of saturated fats and low levels of omega 3 (because they are often fattened on grain). Ok, so some saturated fat is good for you, but we have no problem getting enough of that in our diet. However, wild animal meat (such as wild venison, rabbit, etc) tends to be far less fatty, and richer in omega 3. Its the stuff that we evolved to eat. We instead have to substitute it with wild meat from the oceans.

So, want to eat wholesome and naturally? Get your fats from nuts, seeds, some oily fish and / or wild animal meat.
 
I have and always will drink skim milk. I was brought up drinking it and for some reason or another, whenever I drink any other type of milk, I am disgusted by it. Too heavy for me.
 
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