Without a doubt, milk has been one of the most promoted beverages for several centuries. They are a nearly perfect drink, containing all the nutrients that human beings require to help enhance their health. Now let’s take a closer look at why milk is so good for us and how you can incorporate it into your eating habits more creatively.
Milk’s Marvelous Advantages
- Strong Bones and Teeth: For bone health, there is no better beverage than milk. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body and vitamin D, and this makes it highly effective in the body. Calcium is used in the formation of bones and teeth and vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium. This dynamic pair contributes to the lesser chance of experiencing osteoporosis and fractures in our later years.
- Muscle Powerhouse: Milk is also a complete protein as it contains all the nine essential amino acids that cannot be manufactured by the human body. These amino acids are the fundamental components of muscle tissue. Muscle mass requires protein for growth and repair so milk is ideal for athletes, bodybuilders and anyone seeking to keep off extra weight.
- Vitamin and Mineral Bonanza: Milk is not just an avenue to calcium and protein. It is rich in vitamins and minerals such as riboflavin (B2), vitamin B12, potassium, and magnesium. Riboflavin is involved in metabolism as well as in cellular processes. Vitamin B12 plays an important role in the formation of red blood cells and the proper functioning of nerves. Some of the benefits of potassium include blood pressure modulation and muscle contractions. This mineral is involved in more than 300 metabolic processes, such as metabolism, muscle and nerve operation, and blood sugar regulation.
Making Milk More Exciting
To those, who don’t like the taste of plain milk, it is still possible to include it in a diet and, besides, make it really appealing. Here are some ideas
- Fruity Fun: Add the milk to your preferred fruits such as berries, mangoes, or bananas to make an appealing and healthy smoothie. The possibilities are endless!
- Spice it Up: It is okay to use a variety of spices. You can also stir in a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cocoa powder for an extra warm and tasty touch. All these spices also have their own health benefits you know!
- Go Green: Want to add additional servings of vegetables? To add more veggies to your diet, try adding spinach or kale into your milk without even tasting the veggies. You will not feel them in your mouth, but every other part of your body will be grateful for them.
- Get Fancy: To give your coffee drinks or hot chocolate that professional finish, steam your milk and switch on the frother.
Milk for Weight Management
Depending on your weight loss goals, milk can indeed be adopted as a weight management tool.
- Weight Gain: If you want to gain weight, use whole milk because it contains more calories and fat as compared to other types of milk. It is best eaten with complex carbs and protein such as whole wheat toast with a tablespoon of nut butter and eggs for a good weight gain meal or snack.
- Weight Loss: Try using skim or low-fat milk to reduce the amount of calories that one takes. It also has proteins that give you the feeling of a full stomach and hence can assist in weight loss. It is advisable to combine low-fat milk with fruits and vegetables in order to balance the nutritional needs of the body.
Choosing the Right Milk Variety
As we have seen there are so many types of milk available in the market hence a choice can be very hard to make. Here’s a breakdown of some popular choices
- Cow’s Milk: The original favorite, containing calcium and protein. Use whole milk for weight gain and low-fat or skim milk for weight loss.
- Plant-Based Milk: Good options for those who cannot take dairy products or those who have a restricted diet. Opt for fortified ones in order to meet the calcium and vitamin D content found in cow’s milk. Some of the most common varieties include almond milk, oat milk, and soy milk. Pay extra attention to the sugar content because some plant-based milk can contain a lot of added sugar.
Lactose Intolerance? No Problem!
Lactose intolerance? Don’t worry! Lactose is the natural sugar that is present in the milk. However, it is still possible to enjoy the benefits of milk in the following ways. Here are some options
- Lactose-Free Milk: This kind of milk undergoes a process of eliminating lactose hence is suitable for people with lactose intolerance.
- Plant-Based Milk: It has been stated earlier that strengthened plant-based milk versions can be a good substitute for those who are intolerant to lactose.
Did you know that you can do more than just drink milk? Here are some creative ways to incorporate milk into your diet
Cooking and Baking: Milk is a versatile product that is used in many recipes starting from simple soup and sauce, to pancakes and muffins.
Yogurt Power: Yogurt is a milky product produced by fermenting milk with bacteria that have positive effects on digestion. Go for natural yogurt and accompany it with fruits of your choice, granola, or honey as a healthy breakfast meal in a parfait form.
Remember: Milk is an essential and flexible beverage that has proved to have so many nutritional benefits. Despite this, there are a few ways that you can take it can actually be fun and tasty to put it to good use. Therefore, let’s toast to milk, the powerful drink that sustains our bodies and tantalizes our palates!
