Here's which kind of milk is best for you

Alisha Alam | May 20, 2018, 13:20 IST
Whole milk/full cream milk:

“It contains more than 3.5% of fat; it is highly nutritious and provides the essential nutrients required for growth and development. It is rich in Vitamin D, A, B1, calcium, phosphorous and riboflavin,” says an expert dietician. Full cream milk is recommended for children, teenagers, body builders, and pregnant and lactating mothers.



Skimmed milk:

“It contains 0.1 % fat. It is loaded with proteins, calcium, phosphorous, Vitamin D and A. Skimmed milk has fewer calories than whole milk. With almost half the calories than the whole milk, skimmed milk provides same amount of protein, vitamins and minerals. It is fortified with Vitamin A and D,” she added. “It is recommended for people with heart disease, diabetes, obesity and patients with burns. It is also good for adults who are health conscious and want to maintain their ideal weight. This type of milk is not recommended for children,” she continued.



Dairy for kids:

“Cow’s whole milk should be introduced at the age of one. But after two years, if the child is eating well balanced diet and weighs as per standards, switching over to toned milk can be a good decision. Double toned milk and slim varieties are not recommended for children below 5 years and should be selected only if your kid is overweight,” she said.



Almond milk:

The concentration of nutrients goes down, but will depend upon the ratio of almonds and water during preparation. The protein content in a glass of almond milk (200 ml) is only 1-1.5 grams in comparison to milk protein and thus cannot be considered as a protein rich beverage,” she said. “Replacing it with slim milk will result in 50% reduction in calories,” she added. This is good for people who are lactose intolerant, allergic to soy or are a vegan.



Soy milk:

“It is naturally low in fat and free from saturated fat and cholesterol. It contains moderate amounts of dietary fibre unlike dairy and almond milk with nil or negligible amounts of fibre. It contains minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, iron and selenium. Vitamin B9 (Folate), B6, and K are also present in soy milk,” she said. This milk is great for people trying to lose weight.

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