Full-fat or low-fat milk? Which one should you be buying?
Full-fat milk is always healthier than low-fat milk. MYTH.
FACT. Eating a range of foods from the five core food groups is essential for good health and dairy products (milk, milk products and alternatives) are one of the five core food groups.
Wondering what milk you should buy? There is a wide range of milks with varying amounts of fat and the health battle between full-fat and low-fat milk options continues, so there’s a few things to consider…
Nutritional Value
Milk is important for good bone health and is an excellent source of a range of essential nutrients such as calcium, protein, vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin B12.
It is well known that the two (full cream and low-fat milk) are nutritionally different. However, which off the two is better and is there a one size fits-all?
The best option, between the two, depends on your own personal health goals, age, and underlying health conditions such as heart disease and high cholesterol levels.
Based on Woolworths UHT Full Cream and Skim Milk 1L
When to select low-fat milk
Low-fat milk is typically perceived as a healthier alternative to full-fat milk due to its lower calorie and saturated fat content. Different milks affect heart health differently. The Heart Foundation encourages individuals with a heart disease or high cholesterol levels to select the reduced-fat milk varieties. That is because fats found in dairy products, including milk, can raise cholesterol levels.
When to select full-fat milk
According to the Australia Dietary Guidelines, children under the age of 2 years should consume full-fat milk; however, cow’s milk should not be used as the main drink for infants under the age of 12 months. Selecting Full-fat milk will help support the child’s growth and brain development and meet their high energy needs.
According to the Heart Foundation, due to the limited evidence around which is a better option, the average healthy Australian can pick between the two. While also considering your personal health goals.
Generally, selecting unflavoured milk and milk product varieties is a great way to reduce your added sugar intake.
For more information about the recommended number of serves of Milk, and milk alternatives, refer to the Food and Movement for Better Health Fact sheet.
The above may not apply to milk substitutes. As such, we encourage you to refer to the label reading steps outlined in our How to read food and drink labels Fact sheet, to make an informed choice.
Dietitian Olivia chats about milk in our latest Instagram post, check it out here
References
- National Health and Medical Research Council. (2013). Australian Dietary Guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines
- Heart Foundation Australia. (2021). Fats and Heart Health: The Facts About Good and Bad Fats. Retrieved from https://www.heartfoundation.org.au
