Drinking milk is an important part of a healthy diet but not all milk is created equal. Depending what kind of milk you drink can play an important role in reaching or maintaining a healthy weight. A simple choice at the grocery store can have a huge effect on your health. When you reach for the milk jug at the grocery store choose low fat (1%) or skim milk instead of whole or 2%. Contrary to what you might think, 1% or skim milk has the same nutrients and vitamins but without all the fat!

Low fat milk has:
Same calcium
Same Protein
Same minerals and vitamins
Fewer calories
Less fat

You can get all the same great nutrients but not add all the extra fat to your diet! Love this idea but you aren’t sure how to make the switch? Take your time and transition in steps over three weeks:

Week one:  Switch between whole and 2%
Week Two: Switch from 2% to 1%.
Week Three: Switch from 1% to skim.
Even if you can’t make the switch down to skim be proud you made some improvement. Children 2yrs and older should be drinking low fat or fat free milk. They no longer need the extra fat in their diets.

Additional Tips for switching:
Mix half whole with half 1% for a slower transition.
Switch quickly - don’t tell anyone, and just buy 1% or skim milk.
Pour lower fat milk into a pitcher so children don’t see milk jug.
Put a red cap/top from a whole milk jug onto a jug of lower fat milk so children don’t notice anything different about the container.