Recommendation: age 2 and up skim milk only

New recommendation from AAP..skim milk for ages 2 and up

Re: Recommendation: age 2 and up skim milk only

I heard 1% or skim
All we drink is fat free anyway Ped said that's fine

Re: Recommendation: age 2 and up skim milk only

you can do anything except whole or 2%, but skim is the recommended over 1%, although I say 1% or skim is fine

Re: Recommendation: age 2 and up skim milk only

Why is that?

I hope I'm not damaging DS, who is almost 3, but DH and I don't drink milk and I'm not buying two different kinds of milk for my kids

Re: Recommendation: age 2 and up skim milk only

its b/c of the saturated fat in milk. Whole milk is 4% fat and 2% is 2%. Many have change recommendations due to the increase in child obesity, and elevated cholesterol levels in the child population. The saturated fat in whole milk is more than in a hamburger...
I have a 3 and 1 year old....when she went to milk they both got 2% now she gets 2% and the rest of the house gets skim.

Re: Recommendation: age 2 and up skim milk only

I am most likely not following this recommendation. I will most likely keep my son on whole milk...maybe 2%.

Re: Recommendation: age 2 and up skim milk only

I already buy 2% for us and DS and whole for DD...I'm not adding a third container.

Re: Recommendation: age 2 and up skim milk only

research has shown that it is not the fat that helps with brain growth it is the type of fat - most of the brain is made up of the fatty acids DHA/ARA, and brain growth drops off by age 2 - which is why old recommedations where whole to age 2. You get the same nutrients from skim, as you do from whole. Same protein, vit D etc. The only difference is the calories and fat content. Whole milk is about 70% saturated fat, which is why there is no recommendation for whole milk anymore. Only 2% after age 1, and skim after age 2.

Either way...up to parents to decide. My son is skin and bones, and my daughter is the opposite...but they will both follow the recommendation.

Re: Recommendation: age 2 and up skim milk only

We use 1% and I am not switching. Skim milk is icky, I am not buying separate milks for the house.

Re: Recommendation: age 2 and up skim milk only

I find this so sad though.

human beings have been drinking animal milk for thousands of years. and now, in the age of Ho Ho's, chips, and all other goodies, MILK is taking the fall.

I understand the make up of whole milk, but put up against what most kids eat today, it's most likely the least likely culprit in the war against obesity.

Re: Recommendation: age 2 and up skim milk only

Re: Recommendation: age 2 and up skim milk only

Hmm - I hadn't heard this. Maybe my ped will mention it at our appt next month. But I may just keep him on whole. He's so skinny - and such a picky eater. I would think he probably needs the fat.

And I agree, Jess. Seems milk should not be the villian here. I think cutting some of the other garbage would be the bigger problem.

Re: Recommendation: age 2 and up skim milk only

oh..believe me...I do agree..but from a dietitian perspective...whole milk is not a healthy choice for anyone. Its not a good fat...its an unhealthy fat. There is more saturated fat in whole milk than in a mcdonalds hamburger...
I 100% agree with the choices that some parents make with regards to food for their children, and their are recommendations for that also. Milk is not the only culprit...but it is a start. There needs to be a major overhaul with the way we nutritionally feed our children. Its very hard to break habits, and have time to prepare healthy meals every day..and it is expensive...but we are all a work in progress..and for some, this may be the one way they get less saturated fat into their child.
Thousands of years ago the life expectancy was half of what it is today, and people were 100x more active. So we can not compare good ol' days to now.

Re: Recommendation: age 2 and up skim milk only

no issues here... i only drink skim, so it'll be nice to just buy 1 variety!