What's the deal with milk and dairy products in general about weight loss. I heard some pretty bad reviews especially on milk. Mostly the things added to milk is bad for your. I think its called homogenized? Well, I'm just wondering, because I was planning on drinking skim milk, since its got calcium and protein. I would usually use skim milk with my chocolate whey, mainly because it tastes terrible with water... What's your view on milk/dairy products?

For me, lowfat (or fat-free) milk & dairy products are a VERY important part of my diet.

To the best of my knowledge, there is some evidence that dairy (and calcium) can be an advantage in a weight loss program. While all claims of this sort seem debatable, I can't recall seeing anything suggesting that dairy is particularly harmful for weight loss. So with some data suggesting it is helpful, I'd recommend it!

Here is link to an article written a few years ago regarding the subject:
weight loss and dairy

Personally, I prefer to get milk that does not come from hormone-treated cows. One way to achieve this is to buy organic milk, but you don't have to. Some places sell milk that is not from hormone-treated cows, even though it is not organic. This winds up being a bit more expensive than regular milk, though not as expensive as organic.

Perhaps this is the debate where you may have heard about milk being "bad." Homogenization is really just about the distribution of the cream (fat) within milk. It affects the texture (and arguably the taste as it relates to this), but unless you are someone with digestive issues regarding dairy products/milk, it would not affect you. And if you are someone who is lactose intolerant or otherwise has digestive problems with milk or dairy, then I would not recommend eating milk/dairy in the first place!

I've eaten cheese/dairy products every day, and it has never stopped me from losing fat, gaining muscle, or maintaining. IMO, if you like it, make sure it fits in your calorie totals, and enjoy.

I love fat free milk. Really, I cannot tell the difference between regular milk and fatfree milk, so I choose fatfree since I might as well.

I drink milk almost every day. I also like cottage cheese, and non-fat yogurt.

My favorite mix is yogurt, banana, mixed frozen berries, and I sometimes add flax seed or whey protein.

Also, if you like mixing whey protein, try it with the waffle iron. Again, you'll probably add milk to the waffle, so a good way to have some milk product. I have loads of fun the other day with a whey protein waffle. lol.

In my opinion, if the world drank more milk, we wouldn't have obesity as large as it is. More and more people drink less milk, and more soda. More soda equals more calories, and not to mention various tooth decay. Also, a case in point, my mom never drank milk as a child (asian people never really have it in their diets, I believe), and now she has serious back problems due to poor bone structure... coincidence? I think not.

One of the "street wisdom" sayings is "Don't drink your calories". The grain of truth in that saying is that it is very easy to overdo it when drinking calorie rich beverages and water is almost always a better choice of beverage, whatever your fitness goals are.

I agree with you to a certain extent, but there are times that I consider milk as part of the MEAL not a beverage. In a protein shake for instance where I use it for a carb, not as a thirst quencher.

milk being homogenized isn't the problem. its the hormones they give cows that get a bad rap.

if you can get non-hormone milk, you'd probably be better off. its usually cheaper than no-hormon, certified organic milk...which could be over $5 a gallon.

dairy is a fine place to get calcium...but you also get lactose and often milkfat...which makes dairy 'less good'. it has its place, just don't go overboard.