Milk, commonly drunk and used by humans, can often go under the radar as an important factor in health and ethical concerns, especially among the buzz of traffic and busy schedules.
Clara Nosek, a dietitian, told reporters at AOL.com, “cow’s milk became less popular in the first place because it was disparaged by popular culture.” Unfortunately, people often misunderstand milk, especially cow’s milk, through misinformation.
Hence, as a consumer, choosing milk can be a struggle, as over 20 different types can be found at the typical supermarket, on top of people misunderstanding milk’s benefits. This abundance of milk types begs the question, what type of milk is the healthiest?
Since milk comes in many forms, research is key to discovering which type of milk is the best. Dietitians from AOL.com believe two strong options include all cow’s milk (1%, 2%, whole, etc.) and soy milk due to their abundance of vitamins and protein.
Even so, all milks cover a wide range of issues, whether that be health or ethical concerns. Therefore, all researchers agree that no “healthiest milk” exists.
In fact, according to Jack Reardon, science teacher at Archbishop Riordan High School, the healthiest type of milk “depends on the person,” and should be chosen “based on health goals.”
For instance, Luke O’Donnell ’27, an avid milk drinker, believes whole milk is the best type of milk because it tastes the best. Although that basis may seem like too small a reason, the type of milk to drink can often come down to that simple opinion.
For those who need to watch their fat intake, consider the lower fat options, such as oat milk, or controlled fat milks (like skim milk), which contain around 90 calories, compared to whole milk, which sits at around 150 calories (AOL.com). If someone likes the taste of whole milk, but is lactose intolerant, consider lactose-free milk.
All milks have benefits, so consumers need to zero in on the nutrients their bodies need, and select the best milks to aid them in those areas.
