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I may be aging myself, but do you remember the saying “milk does a body good.”  Well, come to find out, it really does! While it might seem like one of the most ordinary items in your fridge, there’s more to this creamy beverage than meets the eye. Whether you’re a casual sipper or a dairy devotee, here are four interesting facts about milk that might surprise you.
Four Milk Facts You May Not Know
Milk packs a powerful protein punch. Each 8-ounce glass delivers 8 grams of high-quality protein. Getting enough protein at every meal (especially breakfast!) is key to supporting kids’ growth and energy. Obesity magazine reports that starting the day with protein helps kids feel full and satisfied longer, making them less likely to be distracted by hunger before lunchtime. And let’s face it, hungry kids aren’t exactly set up for success in the classroom!
Milk is the #1 source of three key nutrients many kids lack – calcium, vitamin D, and potassium. As this graphic shows, many of today’s popular drink choices don’t measure up. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, milk is one of the best ways for kids to get the bone-building nutrients they need, often more effectively than supplements or fortified alternatives like plant-based drinks or vegetables.
Not all non-dairy milk stacks up to real milk regarding nutrition. I was surprised to learn that an 8-ounce glass of dairy milk has eight times more protein than the same amount of almond milk. It’s a good reminder that not all varieties are created equal.
We’re just not drinking as much as we used to, and the numbers prove it. Look at this graph, and you’ll see that consumption steadily declines. The following graphic highlights how many glasses we should be drinking each day!
Surprised? There’s even more to uncover at MilkTruth.com. Milk has a story that’s anything but ordinary. So the next time you grab a glass or stir it into your coffee, remember, you’re not just enjoying a classic drink.
I was surprised that Milk is the top food source for three of the four nutrients most likely to be missing from kids’ diets – calcium, vitamin D and potassium!
This was a great article to teach more about milk drinking. I did not know that not all milks are created equal. I too was shocked to find out that an 8-ounce glass of dairy milk provides 8 times more protein than a glass of almond milk.
I know im not drinking enough because i cant. It does horrible things to my belly. My son can still drink it and he does. Also in his cereal. I used to love it and i miss it bad.
My boys drink a ton of milk specially my 3 year old. We go threw 5 gallons every 6 days. I didn’t realize that non diary milk didn’t have the value as regular milk. Thank you for all this valuable information.
I always get confused about milk. Some people say we don’t need it, others swear by it! We drink whole milk to avoid all the gross stuff and nutrients stripped when they make skim milk.
My kids liked milk when they were younger. I can get them to drink chocolate milk now but that is it. They do eat a lot of yogurt and cheese. I did not realize that Milk is the top food source for three of the four nutrients missing from most kids’ diets.
I was surprised to see how much consumption has declined. Milk has become more expensive over the last four to five years, but as essential as it is, I would think it would remain stable.
I don’t drink as much milk as I should. I love that it’s a grew source of protein and definitely love the real thing over all the nut varieties out there.
Milk is definitely a great source of protein. I’ve been trying to drink at least 4 glasses of milk everyday. That’s as per my doctor’s advice for my age.
My kids go through so much milk. We spend so much on it, and they just love it and would probably drink way more if we let them. I didn’t know a lot of this!
I’ve learned that milk has 8 times more protein than almond milk, it is the top food source of calcium, vitamin D and potassium, no matter what kind you buy fat free, low fat, organic milk provides 9 essential nutrients and it’s hard to get nutrients you need without milk in your diet.
I was definitely most surprised by two, that Milk is the top food source for three of the four nutrients most likely to be missing from kids’ diets – calcium, vitamin D and potassium.
I learned that Milk is the top food source for three of the four nutrients most likely to be missing from kids’ diets – calcium, vitamin D and potassium.
I love milk but I keep hearing back and forth arguments about whether dairy is actually good for you or not. I don’t deny that it has a TON of essential nutrients, and I keep drinking it, but I wonder sometimes if we really shouldn’t.
Very informative article. My kids love milk and even if they are all grown, they still chug it down like it is water. I love milk too, but I have to get the low fat kind.
My kids are huge MILK drinkers. They have loved it since they were little and I actually have to cut them off on a daily basis to ensure there is some for breakfast the next day. I can never get enough milk in the house! I guess its a good thing eh?
I was totally surprised to learn that dairy milk has 8x more protein than almond milk?! And, I’ve also learned that I really need to increase the amount of milk I drink. It’s not my favorite beverage, but it has so many health benefits!
I wish my kiddo liked milk, but he loves cheese and yogurt so we go that route. I on the other hand LOVE milk and drink it all the time. These stats are great to read it makes me know what I am doing is right for my body.
The following graphic highlights how many glasses we should be drinking each day!
I was surprised that Not all non-dairy milks have the same nutrients as real milk.
I learned something with tip # 3 – that not all non-dairy milks have the same nutrients as real milk.
Not all dairy milk is the same
#1 — I’ve always known milk to be a good source of calcium, but never thought about it having protein too.
I am surprised that we aren’t drinking enough. Thanks for the chance.
surprised we are not drinking enough milk, we love milk here and the kids seem never to get tired of it
I love milk and didn’t realize that it had so much protein.
I was surprised that Milk is the top food source for three of the four nutrients most likely to be missing from kids’ diets – calcium, vitamin D and potassium!
This was a great article to teach more about milk drinking. I did not know that not all milks are created equal. I too was shocked to find out that an 8-ounce glass of dairy milk provides 8 times more protein than a glass of almond milk.
I was surprised at Not all non-dairy milks have the same nutrients as real milk.
I know im not drinking enough because i cant. It does horrible things to my belly. My son can still drink it and he does. Also in his cereal. I used to love it and i miss it bad.
My boys drink a ton of milk specially my 3 year old. We go threw 5 gallons every 6 days. I didn’t realize that non diary milk didn’t have the value as regular milk. Thank you for all this valuable information.
#3 Not all non-dairy milks have the same nutrients as real milk surprised me!
I thought all the mom dairy milks were fortified like regular milk. Good to know otherwise
My kids drink so much milk, sometimes I debate about buying a whole cow. Might be cheaper who knows lol.
My toddler drinks milk all day. He is obsessed! I didn’t know these facts.
Thank you for sharing these facts. I knew some but not all of them. What a great giveaway too!
I have never been a huge milk drinker. So naturally my kids don’t drink it very much. I need to start offering it to my youngest more often.
I always get confused about milk. Some people say we don’t need it, others swear by it! We drink whole milk to avoid all the gross stuff and nutrients stripped when they make skim milk.
We love to drink milk in our house. It is always great with the fresh baked goods we like to make. The kids eat cereal every morning with milk.
My kids liked milk when they were younger. I can get them to drink chocolate milk now but that is it. They do eat a lot of yogurt and cheese. I did not realize that Milk is the top food source for three of the four nutrients missing from most kids’ diets.
I’m lucky that my kids love their milk. My boyfriend loves it too, a lot of information that I didn’t know.
I was surprised that not all non-dairy milk has the same nutrients as real milk.
I was surprised to see how much consumption has declined. Milk has become more expensive over the last four to five years, but as essential as it is, I would think it would remain stable.
I don’t drink as much milk as I should. I love that it’s a grew source of protein and definitely love the real thing over all the nut varieties out there.
Milk is definitely a great source of protein. I’ve been trying to drink at least 4 glasses of milk everyday. That’s as per my doctor’s advice for my age.
My kids go through so much milk. We spend so much on it, and they just love it and would probably drink way more if we let them. I didn’t know a lot of this!
I’ve learned that milk has 8 times more protein than almond milk, it is the top food source of calcium, vitamin D and potassium, no matter what kind you buy fat free, low fat, organic milk provides 9 essential nutrients and it’s hard to get nutrients you need without milk in your diet.
I am surprised that an 8-ounce glass of dairy milk provides 8 times more protein than a glass of almond milk
I was definitely most surprised by two, that Milk is the top food source for three of the four nutrients most likely to be missing from kids’ diets – calcium, vitamin D and potassium.
I learned that Milk is the top food source for three of the four nutrients most likely to be missing from kids’ diets – calcium, vitamin D and potassium.
My kids and I dont like cow milk that much.. we try to drink at least 8 oz of milk everyday. Milk is very healthy , especially for kids and women
Everyone in my home loves milk. I would buy gallons and it wouldn’t last long.
The amount we should all be drinking!
I love milk but I keep hearing back and forth arguments about whether dairy is actually good for you or not. I don’t deny that it has a TON of essential nutrients, and I keep drinking it, but I wonder sometimes if we really shouldn’t.
Very informative article. My kids love milk and even if they are all grown, they still chug it down like it is water. I love milk too, but I have to get the low fat kind.
You always have to have at least a gallon of milk in the refrigerator. It’s so nutritious and it’s used in so many recipes!
My kids are huge MILK drinkers. They have loved it since they were little and I actually have to cut them off on a daily basis to ensure there is some for breakfast the next day. I can never get enough milk in the house! I guess its a good thing eh?
We go through a lot of milk at our house. The kiddo has always drank milk, and I will too on occasion with dessert or in a bowl of cereal.
I also commented on http://mythoughtsideasandramblings.com/2015/09/16/frozen-sven-granola-bars/ the widget posted the wrong link.
I’m not much of a milk drinker but my kids are. I used to be a huge fan of milk mostly for cereal. Now I love for a huge bowl of ice cream.
I was totally surprised to learn that dairy milk has 8x more protein than almond milk?! And, I’ve also learned that I really need to increase the amount of milk I drink. It’s not my favorite beverage, but it has so many health benefits!
I grew up not being allowed to leave the dinner table if I hadn’t finished a glass of milk!
I wish my kiddo liked milk, but he loves cheese and yogurt so we go that route. I on the other hand LOVE milk and drink it all the time. These stats are great to read it makes me know what I am doing is right for my body.
My boys would drink a gallon of milk a day if I would let them. It’s like I can’t keep enough in the house, they drink it all as soon as I buy it.