Whole Milk Vs. Skim – Which Is Better?

The Washington Post has recently pointed out that there’s a growing number of scientific evidence that contradicts what many people believe about milk and dairy products. The European Journal of Nutrition published an analysis which states that people who drink whole milk have a tendency to weigh less and have lower rates of obesity as opposed to those who choose low-fat or skim.

Every five years, the USDA gives an update on the official guidelines on dieting in order to keep up with the latest science dealing with healthy nutrition. Milk, in particular, has been a heavy focus of debate recently. These guidelines have always been recommending low-fat or non-fat milk, and the latest draft didn’t change much.

However, there seems to be a number of people who think differently. Here’s what Despina Hyde, a registered dietitian at NYU’s Langone Weight Management program told the CBS News:

“What we do know is that fat is not the enemy. Fat is good for us. It provides satiety, that feeling of fullness. It helps us to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. So it’s good for us for several reasons. However, the fat that’s found in dairy is saturated fat, which may not be the best fat out there. There’s other, healthier fats like monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, omega 3s.”

If you agree with Despina, olive oil and nuts are a fine source of monounsaturated fats. If you’re looking for polyunsaturated fats, get some vegetable oils. Fish is a good source of omega 3s.

We’ll keep you updated as the situation progresses.