Ask Keri: Should I be drinking fat-free, whole, or low-fat milk?
Keri Says: Back in the day, dairy was the only food I recommended eating in a low-fat or fat-free version (versus things like peanut butter, which I never recommended low-fat!).
I justified that because most foods that have fat removed have sugar and other junk added. Certain dairy foods, on the other hand, have the fat removed without adding sugar or chemicals.
After tons of reading and new research tracking, my position on dairy has evolved.
I now recommend portion-controlled full-fat dairy and usually limit my recommendations to one or two max servings a day, depending on the client’s needs.
We’re figuring out that taking the fat out of our milk changes the carb, fat, and protein profile.
There is more carbohydrate (aka sugar) in lower or non-fat dairy products, and without the fat to balance the nutrients, this disrupts the endocrine system (think hormones getting out of whack), interferes with weight management, increases acne, and a whole host of other problems.
Bottom line: Whole milk, yogurt, cheese and even ice cream in portion controlled servings beat low fat milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.
Even better: Choose full-fat dairy products labeled organic and grassfed.
The real deal wins again.
