You’ve probably noticed that the milk section of your favorite store continues to fill up as the wide selection of products keeps on growing. Besides what my family refers to as “regular milk” (a.k.a. cow’s milk), there are many other types of milk to choose from, each with their own unique taste such as goat, soy, almond, cashew, and oat. For those who are lactose-intolerant, the plant-based ones are an option.
The most popular
The most common type of milk consumed worldwide is cow’s milk. It’s a staple in many households (including mine!), and a source of calcium, as well as several other important nutrients.
Did you know that the nutrients in milk*:
– Build and maintain healthy bones and teeth.
– Keep the immune system healthy.
– Help the body use food for energy.
– Work to keep heart, skin, and eyes healthy.
What kind do NCP panel members drink?
A recent poll on our panel member website asked, “What type of milk do you buy most often?”
Here’s how our panel members responded:
Whole 28%
2% 35%
1% or Fat-Free 20%
Other (Almond, Soy, etc.) 17%
Looks like our panel members buy 2% (reduced fat) most often, although the other types of cow’s milk choices were very close!
What type of milk do you, or other members of your family, buy and drink most often? Let me know in the blog’s comment section, I would love to hear from you!
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Lots of choices
Let’s take a look at just some of the varieties of milk available today and that you usually see in stores*.
Cow’s – Choices include whole (full-fat), 2% (reduced-fat), 1% (low-fat), and fat-free.
Almond – Made from ground almonds and water. Has a smooth and creamy texture and is low in carbs and calories.
Cashew – Has a rich, creamy texture and is similar to traditional cow’s milk in taste.
Coconut – Made from the meat of the coconut. Has a nice creamy consistency and a pleasant (coconut-flavored) taste.
Oat – Made from oats and water. Known for its smooth, creamy texture and balanced flavor, much like that of cow’s milk.
Soy – Made from whole soybeans. A popular variety that has a number of health benefits.
Scan your milk purchases
Panel members: Please remember to scan all your milk and dairy purchases, no matter if they’re from a cow, a goat, or plant-based!
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All the best,
Taylor
*Sources: Washington Dairy. US News and World Report.
We drink whole milk and Lactose free milk in my home because one of my children is lactose intolerant. On an average week we go thru about 4 gallons of whole milk and a gallon of the lactose free milk. I love milk, and I’m very thankful my children would rather drink milk, water or juice rather than Soda. I’m sure if I had gave them soda and other super sweet drinks when they were toddlers they wouldn’t be such fans of water n milk like they are. I had a neighbor once that would fill her sons bottle with soda when he was a baby and continued to do so thru today, but she didn’t understand why his teeth were rotten when his baby teeth had grown in. She was a young mother so I sat her down and explained to her why that’s a HUGE no- no. The child finally has a beautiful smile but only after having to have all of his baby teeth capped and some extracted. And he has calmed down a lot also, where as before he was bouncing off the walls. She hasn’t made that mistake with her other two children.!
I use either whole or 2%. I prefer the whole milk because of the taste.
We generally drink whole milk. I found out that the more fat taken out of milk, ie. 2%, skim milk, the amount of sugar in the milk goes up. So I guess it depends on which affects your health the the most. My husband had diabetes and he was told to drink the whole milk. My mom likes to use oat or soy milk to make smoothies. Personally I can’t see how they get a plant based milk product that looks so much like cows milk. Are there additives that they include to make it more palatable?
For health reasons, I’ve been using almond or cashew milk, both unsweetened. I tried coconut milk once; never ever again lol
Thank you for the great information on Cow’s Milk! We are a family of 3. My husband of course prefers the Whole milk. He thinks that 2% isn’t REAL milk and tastes watered down 🤷🏻♀️ My son and I prefer the 2% and think that the Whole milk, Vitamin D is too thick lol. My boys definitely love their milk either way. We go through at least 2 gallons a week and sometimes 4, depending. And yes I totally agree that milk is a very important part of daily consumption on so many levels. Thank you again. And Happy Shopping 🙌🏻