Contents:
- Medical Video: Whole vs. Skim: Which Milk Is Better For You?
- What's the difference between full cream milk and skim milk?
- Is it true that skim milk is healthier than full cream milk?
- What about skim milk?
- So, choose full cream milk or skim milk?
Medical Video: Whole vs. Skim: Which Milk Is Better For You?
Milk is one source of protein for your body. Not only for babies or young children, many dairy products are also offered for teenagers, adults, and the elderly. In fact, milk is offered in various types, such as full cream milk and skim milk. For those of you who are on a diet or are reducing your fat intake, maybe you prefer skim milk rather than full cream milk. But, which one is actually healthier?
What's the difference between full cream milk and skim milk?
Both types of milk are distinguished from the fat content in them. Full cream milk has a higher fat content compared to skim milk. In the production process, the fat content in skim milk is intentionally removed so that it becomes very low, less than 0.5%. Meanwhile, the fat content in full cream milk is around 3.25%. Because of this fat content, full cream milk has higher calories than skim milk.
READ ALSO: Know the Types of Milk and the Difference
The fat content in different milk generally does not affect other nutrients in milk. Nutrients between full cream milk and skim milk remain the same, such as vitamin D, vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin B2, and vitamin B12. However, the content of omega-3 fatty acids in both types of milk is different.
The more fat content in the milk, the higher the content of omega-3 fatty acids in milk. Omega-3 fatty acids are very beneficial for the health of your heart and brain. Even a study linking the content of omega-3 fatty acids in milk to diabetes shows that those who drink milk with high omega-3 fatty acids have a 44% lower chance of developing diabetes.
Is it true that skim milk is healthier than full cream milk?
When you choose skim milk, you choose milk with less fat content. Meanwhile, full cream milk contains more fat, but it is not necessarily not healthy for you.
Milk does contain saturated fat, according to some studies related to heart disease. So, people prefer skim milk that contains less fat than full cream milk. However, recent studies have also shown that the saturated fat content in milk does not cause heart disease.
So, full cream milk is not as bad as you have in mind. In fact, a study published in Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health in 2013 showed that milk fat was associated with lower levels of abdominal obesity compared to lower fat milk. Participants in this study who had high fat intake had a 48% lower risk of developing abdominal obesity. Meanwhile, those who consume low-fat milk have a 53% higher risk of abdominal obesity.
READ ALSO: Is it Really Caffeine Can Trigger Hypertension and Heart Disease?
Other studies published by Nutrition Research in 2014 also reported that full cream milk can reduce the risk of obesity, especially abdominal obesity or distended stomach. In one review, 11 out of 16 studies also showed that consumption of high-fat milk was associated with a lower risk of obesity. Some experts argue that the higher fat content in milk can make a person satisfied and full after consuming it so he does not eat more.
In other words, consuming more full cream milk can help you control your weight. Some studies have also proven that consuming full cream milk can help prevent weight gain.
What about skim milk?
Skim milk can be the best choice for those of you who are on a diet. Low fat content makes fewer calories contained in skim milk. However, skim milk can still provide the protein you need, around 8 grams of protein per glass of milk. Skim milk also contains high calcium, around 300 mg per glass.
However, be careful, although skim milk contains less fat, but it does not necessarily contain less sugar. Usually foods or drinks labeled as low-fat or fat-free have higher sugar levels. More sugar is added to this product to improve taste, after the fat content is reduced. You need to know that the more fat content, of course the more delicious the taste of a food or drink.
READ ALSO: Low Fat Low Fat Foods Are Not Always Healthy
So, choose full cream milk or skim milk?
Everything depends on your choices and preferences. Whatever the choice, both can be healthy choices in your diet. Full cream milk or skim milk has the nutrients your body needs. We recommend that you also adjust the needs and foods you eat in a day if you want to consume full cream milk or skim milk.
If you want to lose weight, maybe skim milk is the right choice. However, after drinking skim milk and you do not feel full, you should not overestimate your portion of food to prevent weight gain.
