If you purchase through the links on this blog, I may earn a small commission—nothing extravagant like a mansion or yacht, but maybe enough for some chocolate and wine. I may have received a sample or compensation if I mention a product. All Thoughts, Ideas, and Ramblings are my own and may not reflect your experience.
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 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.
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!
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?
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.
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.
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 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’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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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 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!
The following graphic highlights how many glasses we should be drinking each day!
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.
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.
I grew up not being allowed to leave the dinner table if I hadn’t finished a glass of milk!
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’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 also commented on http://mythoughtsideasandramblings.com/2015/09/16/frozen-sven-granola-bars/ the widget posted the wrong link.
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.
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?
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!
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.
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.
The amount we should all be drinking!
Everyone in my home loves milk. I would buy gallons and it wouldn’t last long.
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
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 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 am surprised that an 8-ounce glass of dairy milk provides 8 times more protein than a glass of almond milk
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 was surprised that not all non-dairy milk has the same nutrients as real milk.
I’m lucky that my kids love their milk. My boyfriend loves it too, a lot of information that I didn’t know.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thank you for sharing these facts. I knew some but not all of them. What a great giveaway too!
My toddler drinks milk all day. He is obsessed! I didn’t know these facts.
My kids drink so much milk, sometimes I debate about buying a whole cow. Might be cheaper who knows lol.
I thought all the mom dairy milks were fortified like regular milk. Good to know otherwise
#3 Not all non-dairy milks have the same nutrients as real milk surprised me!
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 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.
I was surprised at Not all non-dairy milks have the same nutrients as real milk.
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 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 and didn’t realize that it had so much protein.
surprised we are not drinking enough milk, we love milk here and the kids seem never to get tired of it
I am surprised that we aren’t drinking enough. Thanks for the chance.
#1 — I’ve always known milk to be a good source of calcium, but never thought about it having protein too.
Not all dairy milk is the same
I learned something with tip # 3 – that not all non-dairy milks have the same nutrients as real milk.
I was surprised that Not all non-dairy milks have the same nutrients as real milk.