What’s the difference between whole “Vitamin D” milk, 2%, 1% and skim?

The percentage is equal to the amount of fat in the milk according to weight.  Whole milk is approx. 3.5% fat and is the closest to the way it comes naturally from the cow.  2% milk contains around 2% fat by weight, 1%.. you get it.  Here’s how they do it: Before milk is bottled, all the fat is removed, then re-combined with the milk in various percentages. Consuming at least 3 servings of milk, cheese, yogurt or other foods rich in calcium,  promotes bone health, especially in children.  Due to minimal protein contained in almond, coconut and rice milk as well as fewer calories and lower fat, these are not good alternatives for your baby within the two years of life. Babies brains are still developing from birth to two years of age and require more calories and fat. ♦ Calcium is associated with a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and can even lower blood pressure in adults. For vegans, soy milk is the closest alternative to cow’s milk regarding calories, protein and calcium.  Did you know you can get calcium from vegetables too?  The bioavailability of calcium, or ability of the body to absorb the nutrient, in cauliflower, watercress, brussels sprouts, rutabaga, kale, mustard greens, bok choy, broccoli and turnip greens is actually higher than milk products at greater than or equal to 50% absorption! Other foods that contain substantial amounts of calcium are tofu, small fish with bones like sardines and even blackstrap molasses! Milk products also contain Vitamin D.  The combination of calcium and vitamin D are essential to achieving peak bone mass and decreasing risk of osteoporosis.  Vitamin D also helps the body maintain adequate calcium levels by modifying calcium absorption. Why do they label whole milk jugs “Vitamin D milk” ?…I do not know!  All milk, including reduced fat and fat-free milk contains vitamin D!!!  All cow’s milk, no matter the fat content contains the same 9 essential nutrients (nutrients required for normal physiological function that the body does not synthesize and must be obtained from food).  If you’re reading this and you are a grown up drinking whole milk.., WHY ARE YOU DRINKING WHOLE MILK?!  Whole milk is for babies! If you are an overweight adult and you drink whole milk, this is a good place to start!  You don’t have to go from whole milk to skim all at once.  Gradually work your way down to skim. You will save yourself a lot of unnecessary calories and fat!

Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for Calcium

Age	Male	Female	Pregnant	Lactating
0–6 months*	200 mg	200 mg
7–12 months*	260 mg	260 mg
1–3 years	700 mg	700 mg
4–8 years	1,000 mg	1,000 mg
9–13 years	1,300 mg	1,300 mg
14–18 years	1,300 mg	1,300 mg	1,300 mg	1,300 mg
19–50 years	1,000 mg	1,000 mg	1,000 mg	1,000 mg
51–70 years	1,000 mg	1,200 mg
71+ years	1,200 mg	1,200 mg

Now that you’ve identified how much calcium you need each day, how do you achieve your goal?

Food	Milligrams (mg) per serving	Percent DV*
Yogurt, plain, low fat, 8 ounces	415	42
Mozzarella, part skim, 1.5 ounces	333	33
Sardines, canned in oil, with bones, 3 ounces	325	33
Yogurt, fruit, low fat, 8 ounces	313–384	31–38
Cheddar cheese, 1.5 ounces	307	31
Milk, nonfat, 8 ounces**	299	30
Soymilk, calcium-fortified, 8 ounces	299	30
Milk, reduced-fat (2% milk fat), 8 ounces	293	29
Milk, buttermilk, lowfat, 8 ounces	284	28
Milk, whole (3.25% milk fat), 8 ounces	276	28
Orange juice, calcium-fortified, 6 ounces	261	26
Tofu, firm, made with calcium sulfate, ½ cup***	253	25
Salmon, pink, canned, solids with bone, 3 ounces	181	18
Cottage cheese, 1% milk fat, 1 cup	138	14
Tofu, soft, made with calcium sulfate, ½ cup***	138	14
Ready-to-eat cereal, calcium-fortified, 1 cup	100–1,000	10–100
Frozen yogurt, vanilla, soft serve, ½ cup	103	10
Turnip greens, fresh, boiled, ½ cup	99	10
Kale, fresh, cooked, 1 cup	94	9
Ice cream, vanilla, ½ cup	84	8
Chinese cabbage, bok choi, raw, shredded, 1 cup	74	7
Bread, white, 1 slice	73	7
Pudding, chocolate, ready to eat, refrigerated, 4 ounces	55	6
Tortilla, corn, ready-to-bake/fry, one 6” diameter	46	5
Tortilla, flour, ready-to-bake/fry, one 6” diameter	32	3
Sour cream, reduced fat, cultured, 2 tablespoons	31	3
Bread, whole-wheat, 1 slice	30	3
Kale, raw, chopped, 1 cup	24	2
Broccoli, raw, ½ cup	21	2
Cheese, cream, regular, 1 tablespoon	14	1

* DV = Daily Value. DVs were developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help consumers compare the nutrient contents among products within the context of a total daily diet. The DV for calcium is 1,000 mg for adults and children aged 4 years and older. Foods providing 20% of more of the DV are considered to be high sources of a nutrient, but foods providing lower percentages of the DV also contribute to a healthful diet. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Nutrient Database Web site lists the nutrient content of many foods and provides comprehensive list of foods containing calcium arranged by nutrient content and by food name. ** Calcium content varies slightly by fat content; the more fat, the less calcium the food contains. *** Calcium content is for tofu processed with a calcium salt. Tofu processed with other salts does not provide significant amounts of calcium. In its food guidance system, MyPlate, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that persons aged 9 years and older eat 3 cups of foods from the milk group per day [3]. A cup is equal to 1 cup (8 ounces) of milk, 1 cup of yogurt, 1.5 ounces of natural cheese (such as Cheddar), or 2 ounces of processed cheese (such as American). If you are a diabetic, one serving (8 oz) of milk contains 12 grams of carbohydrates and counts as one carbohydrate exchange. ♦if your baby is at risk for becoming overweight, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends switching to a lower-fat milk before the age of 2.  If you choose not to provide milk to your baby after introducing solid foods beginning at 6 months, or are raising your child vegan, speak with your pediatrician or a dietitian to ensure that you are providing everything your baby needs to grow and develop. Milk is also an excellent source of potassium.  Potassium prevents high blood pressure, maintains fluid and electrolyte balances, supports cell integrity and assists with nerve impulse transmission as well as muscle contractions. Along with being a good source of calcium, vitamin D and potassium, milk contains vitamin A.  Vitamin A is needed for good vision, plays a role in protein synthesis and cell differentiation which maintains the health of epithelial tissues and skin.  Vitamin A also supports reproduction. If you feel overwhelmed by all the nutrition advice, calorie recommendations and diet trends, read these: Fact. Not Fad., Let’s Crunch Numbers!, Help Me To Help You!

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