Skim Milk

In this article, we concentrate mainly on the fat component in milk. We don’t differentiate cow from goat’s milk. We just generally discuss about fat in milk. We also touch a bit on the plant based milk as an alternative to animal milk. Check out our article about animal milk such as goat.

Fat-Free Milk Nutrients

Skim milk is also known as fat-free milk. Consuming milk is a great way to get some calcium and Vitamin D in our diets. Skim milk is an excellent source of calcium, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, magnesium, and zinc minerals. It is rich in Vitamin B, A, and D. Fat-free milk is also a great source of protein. Some times I buy this shelf-stable milk as it lasts for longer time without needing to be refrigerated.  My kids are active outside and it is easy to grab one of those shelf-stable milks on the go. I would also buy the 1% version as it is in more convenient containers. As you will read below, balance and diversity is what we believe in.

How to Use Fat-Free Skim Milk

There are many ways in which skim milk can be consumed. My family enjoys milk throughout the day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

• Use it as an ingredient to make breakfast
  • when making oatmeal
  • when making hot cereal
• Enjoy a plain glass of milk for breakfast, snacks, etc.
• Make your own yogurt
• Use it for recipes, such as mashed potatoes, soups like our clam chowder.

Fat-Free Milk, 2% Milk or Whole Milk

There are pros and cons of consuming skim milk, 2% milk, whole milk. There are differences in milk fat, protein density, sugar, and overall calories. For my family, I buy all the different types of milk randomly, so my family gets all the benefits there are in the different types of milk. For instance, we do need fat (especially for our brains), so drinking whole milk isn’t that bad and studies have shown dairy fat is healthy (especially for type 2 diabetes). When drinking skim milk also known as fat-free milk, you get the benefits of lower calories to your diet overall and more protein compared to other milk.

Instead of worrying and trying to make a definite decision among all the research and articles out there which milk is better and in what case, I simply alternate the milk with the thought that balanced diets are the best. When we make our menus, we calculate the criteria used to argue for consuming one milk versus another: fat, protein, and calcium intake. So if you don’t like the taste of skim milk, no problem, your diet can be adjusted in a way that you can be drinking whole milk and compensate for the fat and protein intake in another way in your diet.

Raw, Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free Sesame Milk

We also like bringing variety into our milk diet with sesame milk. It is dairy-free, gluten-free, raw, paleo-friendly, vegan, and nut-free. It does have the same amount calcium as cow’s milk. The flavor is nutty, smooth, and creamy. Since, I don’t like sipping on this milk, I use it for smoothies mainly. Check out our vanilla sesame milk smoothie and our unflavored unsweetened sesame milk smoothie!

Oat Milk and Almond Milk

If you are a regular reader of our blog, you may already know that we believe in balance and variety. There are many nutrient differences between skim milk, whole milk, oat milk, almond milk, etc. Hence, I do make a point once in a while to buy almond and oat milk to use in smoothies and recipes at home. Why not try yourself and see if you like it?

Summary

Although, there are many dairy milk alternatives for vegan individuals, we still encourage non-vegan, non-allergic individuals to consume milk. It is a healthy dietary option. We just feel the plant based milk goes through lots of processing and fortification so we use it more as a once in a while product at my home.

* Information and statements made by be Healthy be Happy are for education purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. be Healthy be Happy does not provide medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by be Healthy be Happy are not to replace conventional medical service. Any choices and decisions you are making are at your own risk. If you have a medical condition or health concern, contact your physician.