What kind of milk is best?

I Love my Dave

skim, 1%, 2%, or whole?

I drink lots of 2% now and I think that is the reason behind my large weight gain so I am thinking about switching to 1% or skim.  Is it still just as healthy for my baby?

ilovemarfa

I drink skim and I have never had a problem. The only difference in the milk is the amount of fat in the milk.

ChristyD6

It's funny you posted this. I was kinda wondering today what milk people drank as well. Currently we go with organic 2percent. In the past Soy or Almond, mainly bc they last much longer without spoiling and pre pg I didn't drink much milk or crave cereal all the time. Clever marketing makes me believe that the more I pay for milk the healthier it is but that's cant be right, can it?

MeganF722

Personally I prefer 1%, but can drink 2%. I think skim is too thin for me, and whole milk is way too think. 

KacyChicago

Oberweis Reduced Fat Chocolate Milk is the best.

You asked. 

kelseypie

ilovemarfa:

I drink skim and I have never had a problem. The only difference in the milk is the amount of fat in the milk.

This. I drink skim or 1.

ladybugpjb

I was raised on whole, switched to 2% when I got married, then started drinking whole again recently since that's what I get for DS.

The nutrients are the same, just different fat content.

JaimeCH

The % fat has nothing to do with the health of your baby. Did someone tell you to drink more milk during pregnancy or something? 

musicalsilver

I grew up on whole milk and find anything less to be far too watery.

I drink organic whole milk from my local Farmer's Market.  It tastes so much better than the regular grocery store stuff!

That being said, that's just my personal preference - I can't see that it would make a difference for you unless calories are a concern. 

atangiblewish

I love the smart balance omega 3. It doesn't taste fat free at all.

AbbeyGirlBride

DH and I are pretty regular milk drinkers anyway (1 or 2% organic) but since I got pregnant, I had been craving milk almost all the time.  Not a problem since dr told me to have 3 servings of dairy and at least one full-fat serving of dairy a day.  So he started getting 2% for him and whole for me.  Funny though - the 2% tasted so much richer and creamier than usual.

I also found that getting milk in the 1/2 gallon paper carton tastes way better than anything that comes in a plastic jug.  I thought I heard it had something to do with light breaking down the milk.  Can't confirm though. 

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Fuzzy21

I only drink Skim. Always have

MrsKatieW

We drink whole milk. I was raised on 2% DH always drank whole, since he and DS1 drink way more milk then I do, I made the switch. 

I Love my Dave

JaimeCH:

The % fat has nothing to do with the health of your baby. Did someone tell you to drink more milk during pregnancy or something? 

My doctor told me to drink two glasses when I was early in my pregnancy.  I have gained so much already and depressed about it.  I thought milk=good so I've been drinking a lot of it.  I think switching to 1% will help.  I keep telling myself once the weather is nice and it's not dark by the time I get home I will take nightly walks and stop this rapid weight gain. ugh

smittie417

I will drink 1% or 2% depending on the store I go to (Aldi doesn't have 1%).  Skim is so gross to me, but DH loves it. 

I wouldn't think your milk choice has a lot to do with weight gain, unless you are drinking half a gallon a day.  Then I would probably switch to a lower fat content.

MrsWilson31012

Hubby and I drink raw milk, but take the cream off the top. I would say what we actually drink equates to whole milk.

ShelleyBQ

I can't seem to get enough milk these days.  It's my #1 craving.  I have been drinking organic fat-free, but I'm switching to 1% because I'm 20w4d and I've only gained 2 pounds.  I feel like this is one not-terribly-unhealthy way to start trying to gain a little more (doctor's orders).

Fuzzy21

I Love my Dave:

JaimeCH:

The % fat has nothing to do with the health of your baby. Did someone tell you to drink more milk during pregnancy or something? 

My doctor told me to drink two glasses when I was early in my pregnancy.  I have gained so much already and depressed about it.  I thought milk=good so I've been drinking a lot of it.  I think switching to 1% will help.  I keep telling myself once the weather is nice and it's not dark by the time I get home I will take nightly walks and stop this rapid weight gain. ugh

Milk is super good for you, and yes, you should drink it. Just keep in mind if you are concerned about weight, milk does have carbs and sugar. Moderation is key. With that said, if it was up to me, I could drink a gallon a day.

Mommy2CB

We drink 1. We do buy whole milk for DS1 as he needs the extra calories at his age. Eventually he will switch to 1 as well.

dmlk413

I drink skim milk and have my whole life.

LiLi23

Grew up on whole milk here too. Then my parents switched to 1 during the last few years I live at home. Now that DD is drinking whole milk that's what I drink. Although I don't drink all that much. Whatever I put in my coffee usually. Or if there are cookies in the house I'll have a glass with them at night. Speaking of which, I think I have some GS cookies left...

skio

Meh, don't worry about the baby. He/she is taking everything he/she meds from you, no matter what kind of milk you drink.

We do organic dairy. I have always loved milk and I like 2 percent or whole. The flavor of the others just doesn't do it for me. I drink a full glass every night sometimes two, and FWIW, I've hardly gained any weight. So I wouldn't blame weight gain on milk. It's probably just how your body is handling the pregnancy, which is okay.

kimberly_ann81

We drink skim because it cost the least.  We (DH and I) go through 3-4 gallons a week and I need to save were I can.  I have 2% for DS.

iggles09

I prefer skim, dh likes 2. We usually compromise with 1. I would drink almond if he liked it.

notquiteblushing

I used to drink almond milk and rarely, but ever since I've been pregnant I've needed cow's milk. I drank a whole gallon of 2% in four days.  I just had a big glass a few minutes ago.  But I haven't gained any weight so I have been eating/drinking indiscriminately.

momofcatan

I think it depends on what you need. I was surprised to find out that Skim and 1% have more calcium then that higher fat versions.

BLT20051

KacyChicago:

Oberweis Reduced Fat Chocolate Milk is the best.

You asked. 

I hate you. Ok, not really, I just miss Chicago. I still have GCs for Oberweis, do you want them?

I drink 1% normally(grew up on skim but DH hates it) but 2% has been hitting the spot during the pregnancy. They're all the same only the amount of fat is different.

KentuckyKate

Ooh, I'm a milk expert!

I never do soy milk or soy anything anymore- soy is one of the most heavily sprayed and most genetically modified crops in the US, not to mention how estrogenic it is.

Rice milk is junk, just like white rice.

Almond milk is nutritionally awesome. Coconut is even better, especially since coconuts are naturally organic. The vanilla kind is great in cereal and coffee.

As far as cow's milk, skim isn't as good for you as 1%. Milk has fat soluble nutrients. Without some fat in your milk, you won't absorb them and may as well drink water.

Organic dairy for sure. If you don't do anything else organic, try to at least buy organic milk. The amount of hormones given to a conventionally farmed dairy cow is frightening.

Lactose free milk is just as good for you and tastes the same. More people have lactose sensitivities than you think.

Goat's milk is easier to digest than cow's milk, and is starting to be recommended for children transitioning from formula or breast milk, but I can't personally attest to the taste.

Raw milk tastes amazing, but drinking it is playing Russian Roulette with your health, and I'm actually shocked to read someone drinks it while pregnant.

sciteacher23

We actually talked about this at my centering class the other week (prenatal check up + pregnancy/birth class with other june/july mommies). My OB said no adult should be drinking anything other than skim milk. She said they've found that you receive the same nutritional value without the fat. She said for children, you start with 2% until 2 years or something like that and then reduce to 1% for a few years. I can't quote her exact timeframe for children but she definitely said nothing but skim for adults.

KentuckyKate

sciteacher23:

We actually talked about this at my centering class the other week (prenatal check up + pregnancy/birth class with other june/july mommies). My OB said no adult should be drinking anything other than skim milk. She said they've found that you receive the same nutritional value without the fat. She said for children, you start with 2% until 2 years or something like that and then reduce to 1% for a few years. I can't quote her exact timeframe for children but she definitely said nothing but skim for adults.

Not trying to be argumentative, but there is a ton of credible information disproving this that you can pull up with a simple Google search.  Vitamins B 1,2,3,5,6 and 12, Vitamin C, and folate are the water soluble nutrients found in milk. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat soluble. Stripping the fat content from milk strips these vitamins, so most skim milk is fortified with A and D so on paper it looks similar in nutritional value. Our absorption without the fat is still meager.

BLT20051

KentuckyKate:

sciteacher23:

We actually talked about this at my centering class the other week (prenatal check up + pregnancy/birth class with other june/july mommies). My OB said no adult should be drinking anything other than skim milk. She said they've found that you receive the same nutritional value without the fat. She said for children, you start with 2% until 2 years or something like that and then reduce to 1% for a few years. I can't quote her exact timeframe for children but she definitely said nothing but skim for adults.

Not trying to be argumentative, but there is a ton of credible information disproving this that you can pull up with a simple Google search.  Vitamins B 1,2,3,5,6 and 12, Vitamin C, and folate are the water soluble nutrients found in milk. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat soluble. Stripping the fat content from milk strips these vitamins, so most skim milk is fortified with A and D so on paper it looks similar in nutritional value. Our absorption without the fat is still meager.

Interesting. Would you also say to stay away from the milks that advertise "twice the calcium" or any other such nonsense. They probably injected it with the extra vitamins right?

KentuckyKate

BLT, I haven't seen or researched those, but I wouldn't necessary stay away from the sound of it. I do remember from the nutrition class I had to take for nursing school that calcium absorption goes hand in hand with your vitamin D intake, and the root of many calcium deficiency problems is actually a vitamin D deficiency.

kgb-13

I drink 1% milk like it's my job.  Love it.  Also sometimes I add the 25% less sugar Nesquik when I was a treat.  I do buy whatever milk brand, but now KentuckyKate has me wondering about if I should go organic. I know once my LO goes to milk it'll be organic.

Also - for anyone who might know, my sister had GD with her first baby and was told to be careful about the amount of milk she drank as it has quite a bit of carbs (she also drank a ton throughout the day).  OB told her to keep drinking, but just be mindful of how it affected her blood sugar.  Anyone else heard of such things? 

::wanders to the fridge for a glass of milk:: 

BLT20051

KentuckyKate:

BLT, I haven't seen or researched those, but I wouldn't necessary stay away from the sound of it. I do remember from the nutrition class I had to take for nursing school that calcium absorption goes hand in hand with your vitamin D intake, and the root of many calcium deficiency problems is actually a vitamin D deficiency.

I haven't really either. I should. I just tend to stray from anything that has "extras" added into it that weren't already there.