Help me understand milk

[Squirt]

This might seem like an asinine question, but I see milk cited repeatedly as a big grocery cost. I can't help but wonder why people continue to buy milk when they need to or want to save money. I have gone for years without buying milk, even though I grew up with it as my sole beverage, because it is expensive and it packs the calories on. On the occasions that I buy cereal, I'll get a little bit of milk to use in that, but cereal is another issue all together-- I don't like eating it for breakfast because it's typically sugary and I get hungry an hour or two later.

Recently I've discovered organic milk, and I've been drinking a little bit of that as a treat. It's really delicious. However, if I were strapped for cash it would be the first thing to go. (By the way- Stoney Field Farm and Organic Valley both have coupons on their websites for organic milk.)

So what gives? Why drink milk when you can drink water?

[ilovechocolate]

We all love milk, not just for cereal. I also bake and cook with it. It's healthy (as long as it's low-fat or fat-free) and as a post-menopausal woman, I need it. And it tastes good.

[Its_Donna]

We all love milk, not just for cereal. I also bake and cook with it. It's healthy (as long as it's low-fat or fat-free) and as a post-menopausal woman, I need it. And it tastes good.

although I'm still pre-menopausal

[nuisance26]

~Milk is optional for some people but many of us need it, children and the aging especially so. Not everyone can get all their nutrition just from solid food.~

[Holly]

Well I drink a glass or 2 of whole milk when I'm losing weight.
It helps and if I can't afford it in the store I'll go to one or the other of my BIL's
Older people and children should always have good whole milk for the nutrients. ( JMHO )

[Dancing Lotus]

I have a child under two, if I told her doctor we didnt drink milk of any kind he wouldnt be too happy.

Besides I have a thousand things I cook that require milk. I would have to learn an entire new way of cooking.

[peanut]

I agree actually. We have milk because DD#2 drinks it. Without her in the house our consumption would go down to about a litre a week. That would be to make yogurt and for cereal.

You don't need milk. There are lots of other ways to get calcium, and there is a big debate raging right now about the fact that calcium may not be the crucial factor in degenerative bone diseases. That in fact, it's absorption that's the issue. In fact, doctors are cutting back on the amount of calcium they're recommending to their patients.

So, don't just assume you need calcium, and the only place to get it is milk. It isn't.

I replace milk in baking with water/fruit juice/applesauce/pureed pumpkin/cold leftover coffee/leftover tea, etc.

[Odilia]

I will not be without real, fresh milk again. I froze quite a bit of milk for our cow's dry time, but it wasn't enough, and I had to buy some store milk. I'll make sure not to be caught short next time!

[Neeley]

Our children were taken off of milk as toddlers by their pediatrician and their nutritionist. DS came off of formula at 6 months and by age 1 he was drinking 3 gallons of whole milk a day. Not long after that milk was eliminated from both of their diets.

There are plenty of other foods that supply the calcium and other nutrients one would normally get from milk - broccoli, cheese and yogurt are just a few. We make sure they consume the right things in the correct amounts so they are not being deprived of vitamins or minerals.

Neither child drinks milk as a thirst quencher. They can have heavily diluted powdered milk on cereal - only.

Both have been under the care of a nutritionist for many years. They also have very extensive examintions at Children's Hospital every two years in addition to their yearly check-ups with their pediatrician. Both are very healthy and in no way suffering from not drinking milk.

[acidcookie]

I have wondered this same thing. It is certainly true that milk is not necessary to get all the proper nutrients. I never drank milk growing up, still don't.

[Mamaw]

While I agree there are many ways to get calcium into the diet, I can not imagine not having milk for my grand daughters to drink and to put on cereal ( cheerios, corn flakes and the like) I also mix in a bit with their oatmeal. For drinking purposes, they are offered water, juice and milk at different times during the day. They do not drink any kool aid, soda and the like. Juice is the store brand and is watered down a bit as well. By making these choices, we can ensure they drink beverages with some health benefits. Cutting out the junk makes it more affordable. But at the end of the day, the stuff is darn expensive!

[northernmom2boys]

Well my kids and dh eat cereal for breakfast during the week with milk.They do not eat sugary cereal.
It would be cheaper for us if me did buy a cow and out it on the front lawn lol

[monkeywrangler71]

Why drink milk when you can drink water?

Because water contains absolutely nothing and I need vitamins, nutrients and calories to survive. I have a hard enough time trying to keep my bmi above 18, dairy provides easy and ample nutrition, I would never be able to eat enough to replace it.

[fernykins]

I will never give up drinking milk. I grew up with fresh cows milk. With me taking steroids all the time it is one way to get the stuff the steroids take from me........... Besides I love the taste.
Fern

[i.m.cheap]

My DH drinks most of the milk in our house, but dd and I always have one glass with dinner, and milk on cereal. I only buy 1% or less milk. I believe milk is good for adolescent girls (ours is 11), and we like the taste. we don't buy any soda or other sugary drinks. We also drink lots of bottled water.