Does Drinking Milk Make You Gain Weight (Get Fat)

Many of us, on a daily basis, consume various dairy products, whether it be milk lathered over our breakfast cereals, cheese slices in our sandwiches, or even a tasty bowl of ice cream!

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But there’s often a prevailing sense of guilt that many of us feel after chowing down on dairy products. Is this going to make me gain weight?

Dairy products, naturally, contain a massive amount of calories and protein. So it’s no surprise that such foods have been closely associated with weight gain.

Add to this the introduction of ‘low fat’ dairy products such as cheeses, milk, and yogurts, which further promote the belief that dairy products will definitely make you gain weight.

But do dairy products really make you gain weight? Do they make your body develop unwanted fat? Or is that fat actually positive, and not to be avoided?

By now, your head is most likely spinning with questions about your favorite dairy treats, so in order to bring you back down to earth, let’s answer, once and for all, whether drinking milk makes you gain weight!

Does Drinking Milk Make You Gain Weight?

Yes. Drinking milk can lead to weight gain. This is a natural consequence of the high-calorie count of an average bottle of milk. However, the amount gained can vary from milk product to milk product.

If you were to buy a low-fat milk product, of course, you would see less weight being gained. This is also the case for skim milk. Skim milk is created by withdrawing a certain amount of cream from the milk, which in turn reduces the calorie count.

It is also incredibly worth mentioning that the weight gained from drinking milk is not inherently bad. The idea of gaining weight or putting on body fat is generally viewed as a negative thing, despite the fact that a healthy amount of fat gain is good for the normal functioning of the body.

Bodily fats are good for helping you to absorb the vital nutrients you need, such as vitamin A, and vitamin D, and they are also a great source of energy and fuel.

Of course, gaining too much weight is a bad thing, and if you were to continuously drink milk again and again, you may likely see adverse weight gain effects in no time.

However, unlike other foods that are linked with excessive weight gain, milk is rich in protein, which means that fat within any milk you drink will go straight into revitalizing your energy, rather than getting stored as fat on your hips!

Milk is also very filling and will have you feeling full a lot longer, which means you won’t find yourself snacking on junk food long after consuming it, which helps you to keep your weight stable.

This is why milk is often the drink of choice for many bodybuilders or athletes, as the protein can help to re-energize tired muscles, and to bring energy back halfway through an intense workout. Thus, in a way, milk can be closely linked to weight loss.

Why is Milk Good For You?

Human beings are raised, from a very young age to consume dairy, thanks to the beneficial elements of such products. Calcium, which milk is rich in, is useful for helping to strengthen bones, your heart, and your various muscles.

The benefits of calcium apply to people of any age, so consuming it well into adulthood is strongly recommended.

Dairy products are amongst the five major food groups that go towards creating a healthy and stable diet.

Products like milk have been linked by studies to decreased risks of heart disease, strokes, and diabetes, just to name a few. Milk also really helps to strengthen your stomach so that you can achieve a more consistent stool.

Milk has also been known to be a relaxant, which helps many people to ease aching muscles or strains. This is particularly great for people coming home from a long day at work, as it can help to alleviate anxiety and stress symptoms, such as tension and tense nerves.

We could probably write for many hours about the many benefits of a hearty glass of milk, but we feel that at this point you’ll have a great idea of the benefits of such products, and what they can do for you.

How Much Milk Would Be Too Much?

Much like with any food or drink, it is possible to have too much milk. Consuming too much milk in a small period of time can lead to vomiting and intense stomach aches.

The stomach can only handle so much milk before it begins to feel overloaded. General recommendations for milk consumption stand at around 3 glasses maximum, per day.

Three glasses of milk per day help to give you plenty of the nutrients you need while ensuring that you don’t take in too much and run the risk of becoming ill.

If you were to drink too much milk, you might also find that you become fatigued. As we mentioned before, milk is incredibly filling, and thus overloading your body with it would likely cause you to become sluggish and very fatigued.

Conclusion

While milk may certainly contribute to weight gain, if enjoyed as part of a balanced diet, it can still prove very beneficial health-wise.

Not only does milk have great benefits for stronger bones, but it is also greatly beneficial for increasing your energy levels, especially during intense workouts or exercise sessions.

While milk does make you gain weight, it does so in an effective way that is beneficial to your body. Remember that your body needs a certain amount of fat in order to function properly!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It OK To Drink Milk Everyday?

Absolutely! In fact, it is well recommended to have at least one glass of milk every day, in order for you to get access to all of the important nutrients inside, such as calcium and protein. These help to energize you and help your immune system to function at its best.

However, you must ensure that you are enjoying milk as part of a balanced and varied diet, otherwise, you may not see the benefits.

Can Humans Survive Without Milk?

Yes. Humans can survive indefinitely without milk ever factoring into their diet. However, those that do not consume milk are advised to seek out the nutrients that milk provides from other sources, such as cheese or yogurts.

You may even be able to find the same nutrients amongst other food groups, so you should never be at a loss for options.

Do We Actually Need Milk?

Not necessarily. What we need are the nutrients that come from milk, and not the milk itself. These nutrients can be found elsewhere, even in plants, hence why many people choose to consume plant-based milk instead of dairy, where possible.

This is also great for people with lactose intolerance.

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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!