Do you think skim milk is just as healthy for children as regular milk?
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
United States
August 15, 2007 5:02pm CST
Awhile back we switched our entire family from whole fat milk to skim milk, because we were worried that our daughter was filling up on milk would not want to eat her regular food. We found that it does make a real difference in her appetite when she only drinks lower fat and lower calorie skim milk. In fact, she rarely suffers from picky eating anymore and wants to eat all her regular food at dinner time.
However recently, I've been concerned that skim milk or reduced fat milk might not have all the nutrition that a growing child (preschool age) needs for proper development. It's lower in calories and fat, but I just assumed that was being made up with the other real foods. However, I still do have concerns that the vitamin or mineral content might not be the same.
Is skim milk as nutritionally complete as whole milk? Have you found that skim milk is healthier for your very young children? When did you make the switch from whole fat milk to reduced fat or skim milk for your family?
2 people like this
12 responses
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
19 Aug 07
We were told by our pediatrician to give our son whole milk until he's at least 2 years old. Then we can switch him to 2% if we want to. He also said we shouldn't switch him to skim until he's 5 years old. But I'm not sure if that's guidelines for everyone, or just because our son is on the thin side.
My husband drinks skim milk, because he thinks that whole milk is too thick. I don't drink milk, so I really don't have an opinion. I think they are pretty much the same nutritionally, except for the different in fat and calories. Small children need the extra fat, though for brain development. Especially children under 3, because that is when they develop the most, compared to any other point in a person's life.
1 person likes this
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
20 Aug 07
I have to watch my little kid like a hawk or she will do nothing but drink milk all day. Sometimes she just gets into a mood and doesn't want to eat. Is she had things her way, she would just have milk and no food. But, the whole fat milk makes her not want to eat regular food. It's a constant struggle knowing what is right. If I cut out the milk she loses out. If I don't limit the whole fat milk at least some, then she misses out on real food.
Being 3 1/2 years old, she needs real solid, substantial food more than a younger baby would. And, whole fat milk consistently makes her not want to eat. I can't explain it any way better than that. Perhaps it doesn't work that way for every child. Just mine.
And, when she has nothing to choose from except lower fat milk (which tastes worse) she magically gets hungry like a normal kid. And, then she eats her food. Mystery solved as to why she wasn't hungry in the first place. Whole fat milk is very filling.
It's a slippery slope. Trust me when I tell you. I was in the position and spot that you're at with your son when my girl was his age. Mine was a tiny baby too, almost up to the age of two. And, I gave her whole fat milk for the same purpose, to make sure her weight stayed up. She had trouble gaining weight. But, now several years down the road, she is normal size and the whole fat milk is trying to replace the food that she should be eating. And, I won't let that happen!
Every child is different though. What works for mine, most likely wouldn't work for others. Best of luck with your son. Do what is best for him and you won't go wrong.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
17 Aug 07
I have not thought about switching from whole milk to skim milk for my five year old son. I drink skim milk but my husband and son drink the whole milk. I would think the whole milk would be better for him at this age but then again I am not sure whether he would be missing out on nutrients if he switched. That is something i would have to look into. But then again, nothing really tastes better than a nice glass of whole fat milk LMAO
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
19 Aug 07
The missing nutrients are my main concern as well. She is already a super picky eater and she needs all the vitamins from foods that she can get. Originally we had thought of making the change to lower fat milk because she drinks milk and is hungry for nothing else. Not all kids are like that I'm sure. Just mine. It's a phase I guess.
One time I heard that whole milk was originally designed to turn small calves into big bulls. Meaning it's a drink designed to super size a baby animal. And, that would explain why it is so filling. But, as far as your son goes, I'm sure he's very active and burns all that off right away. Mine is a little more laid back and relaxed. Perhaps when the weather is not so hot out when can start going back to the park and she can run off some of her energy.
P.S. Ditto on the yummy tasting whole fat milk! That's good stuff. Not good for my waist line, but nonetheless still good!
@jiffys_frog_woman (4050)
• United States
19 Aug 07
i do think it is healthier but also that is all my daughter or i can drink . my daughter has never been able to drink whole milk just skim and lactose
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85992)
• United States
15 Aug 07
I don't have children, but strangely enough I have read about this. The experts interviewed for the article I read, said that 1% milk is actually best for us all, including children. It has the same amount of nutrients we want in milk, a little more flavor than skim, and less than the fat of regular milk.
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
16 Aug 07
Thank you for the tip. I thought it was OK, but I was just having doubts. I should know better than to question my own mom intuition!
1 person likes this
@steve9737 (918)
• Colombia
4 Oct 07
I want to know about this because in my country we don't have different types of milk so I did some research on Internet I found some useful information, I just figure out that Skim milk is now know like Fat Free milk. The USDA changed the milk labelling now they have four types of milk. I found out they Fat free has 0.5 percent of butterfat and the reduced fat has 1.0 to 2.5 percent of butterfat, I think it would be the cause that you daughter got more appetite. another important thing I found is that free fat has the same nutritional value but some vitamins can be lost when they make take out the fat anyway there is some brands that add this vitamins so you would not have to worry about this I think you need to check out every brand and find one with add in vitamins and calcium, some other add also fiber.
another good thing about Fat free is the price it is more chap than whole milk.
@snookumsnort (313)
• Philippines
15 Aug 07
I heard that fat is essential for brain development so personally, if my kids aren't overweight, I wouldn't switch them to skim milk just yet.
1 person likes this
@sweetcakes (3504)
• United States
3 Oct 07
Milk forms an important component of our daily balanced diet. It serves as an excellent source of calcium that makes our bones and teeth strong. It would be appropriate to comment that it is practically impossible to meet body calcium requirements, without the consumption of milk and other dairy products.
Not only is milk a fabulous source of calcium, but also it provides the body with high quality proteins that contain the essential amino acids, which the body is incapable of producing by itself. Well, the versatility of milk is not yet over. Milk also helps in meeting the body's requirement for vitamins. One glass of milk contributes about 44% to our daily-recommended vitamins intake. So, make it a part of your routine to drink milk everyday, so as to promote your health fitness.
@misselizabeth1 (117)
• United States
17 Aug 07
Children two years and younger should drink milk with some fat in it--preferrably 2% but if they are older then I think skim milk is fine. It's less calories, fat, and has the same or even more of the recommended nutrients as whole milk. Whole milk in my opinion is definitely too thick and fattening.
http://www.simpleknowledge.blogspot.com
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
16 Aug 07
I don’t have any facts- but I know when my daughter was younger the doctor told us that switching from whole to 2% was fine- But he said we should only go to 2%- It has a lot of the nutrients and vitamins that are needed- I’m not sure about skim though- I know I won’t drink it- it’s too much like water.
@Gemmygirl1 (2867)
• Australia
17 Aug 07
Here in Oz, we have always been told to give children full fat milk, why?
Basically, children need those good fats in full fat milk to be able to stay healthy & grow strong :)
If your daughter doesn't eat as much as she should, then you should probably cut back on her milk intake so that she doesn't fill herself up & then doesn't eat dinner. Maybe you should only allow her to have the milk drinks after meals - then she will get the good milk stuff, only she wont be missing out on other nutrients coz she'll still be eating!
As far as i know, skim milk is more for people who don't require all the fats any more, it's healthy but not recommended for children.
No-one in my family (in our home) drinks skim or even reduced fat milk, it just doesn't taste as good & since our daughter is only 14 months, she's still developing & needs the extra stuff from the full fat milk. Have you had a drink of plain reduced fat or skim milk? It's awful, i wouldn't recommend it :)
There's nothing wrong with full fat milk either, it wont actually make her fat or anything (especially if she's active) :) It just keeps her healthy inside, that with her meals are fine. If you're concerned, take her to see a Dr or something & see what they recommend but if she's still young, they'll probably tell you to use full fat :)
Good Luck!
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
16 Aug 07
We drink whole milk & 2% in our house. I think kids need as much calcium as they can get, so they can build strong bones and teeth. I'm not sure if skim milk is as nutrious as whole milk. But maybe you could try 2% or even 1%. I would even ask the doctor what he thought.
