{"id":18296,"date":"2024-04-11T09:00:22","date_gmt":"2024-04-11T14:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=18296"},"modified":"2024-04-25T09:23:41","modified_gmt":"2024-04-25T14:23:41","slug":"what-is-the-best-milk-to-drink","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/what-is-the-best-milk-to-drink\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the best milk to drink?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cow\u2019s milk has been a classic part of a balanced diet for centuries. But now, the milk aisle at the grocery store has more milk options than ever before.<\/p>\n

With all of the milk alternatives available, you may wonder what the best milk to drink is.<\/p>\n

Noelle Park, a clinical dietitian at OSF HealthCare, explained what the healthiest milk to drink is and what the best milk alternatives are for people who may not be able to consume dairy products.<\/p>\n

Reasons to avoid dairy<\/h2>\n

Some people avoid cow\u2019s milk and cow\u2019s milk products for a variety of reasons.<\/p>\n

Dairy allergy<\/h3>\n

For those with an allergy, they may break out in a rash or eczema<\/a> after drinking milk.<\/p>\n

Lactose intolerance<\/h3>\n

Lactose intolerance is an inability to fully digest sugar in dairy products. For people who are mildly lactose intolerant, they may experience bloating, cramping, diarrhea or gas after consuming dairy products.<\/p>\n

For people who are lactose intolerant, there are some solutions that make having dairy possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have lactase pills that help in providing the enzyme to digest the lactose,\u201d Park said.<\/p>\n

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Ready to create a balanced diet?<\/p>\n

Talk to a primary care provider<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome<\/h3>\n

People with celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome<\/a> must watch what foods and drinks they consume. They need to take extra care in their diet and avoid certain things to manage their conditions.<\/p>\n

Chronic kidney disease<\/h3>\n

People with chronic kidney disease should watch how much cow\u2019s milk they drink due to high levels of phosphorus and protein.<\/p>\n

Milk options<\/h2>\n

Plant and nut milks are available as a non-dairy alternative for cow\u2019s milk. The nutritional value of dairy-free and vegan milk options varies based on type.<\/p>\n

Cow\u2019s milk or dairy milk are high in calcium, potassium, phosphorus and protein.<\/p>\n

Fat free of skim milk (calcium fortified)<\/a><\/h3>\n

One cup of fat free or skim milk contains:<\/p>\n