Planning to Lose Weight? Say “YES” to MILK!

How is Milk Good for Weight Loss?

Rich in Protein

Milk is rich in protein. 250 ml or one glass of milk contains 8 grams of protein. Protein is the single most important nutrient for weight loss. High protein intake helps in boosting your metabolism and making your body burn more calories. Protein also helps in reducing your hunger and thereby controls your calorie intake. Having a diet rich in protein helps you lose weight without losing muscle. Protein also helps you burn more calories at rest.

Packed with Nutrients

Milk is rich in all the essential nutrients that your body needs. Let’s take a look at the impressive nutritional benefits of milk.

Milk also contains linoleic acid, which has an ability to boost weight loss by promoting fat breakdown. Evidence from studies also suggests that foods and beverages that are high in calcium reduce the risk of obesity and promote weight loss. Adding whole milk to your diet is a healthy way to lose weight and stay fit. 

What to Watch Out for While Having Milk for Weight Loss?

It is easy to consume more milk than is recommended, as it is a tasty and nutritious beverage. 8 ounces (250 ml) is considered one full serving of milk, whereas most glasses found in your kitchens are 14 to 16 ounces (400 to 470 ml). Hence, it is important to pay attention to the amount of milk you are consuming.

The fat content in milk is an important factor to consider while having milk for weight loss. Skimmed milk is fat-free while one glass of whole milk has 8 g of fat. If you are trying to lose weight, you can limit yourself to 500 ml of milk per day. You can avoid adding sugar to your milk to cut down on calories.

Which is the Best Time to Drink Milk for Weight Loss?

Drinking milk at specific times will help you reap more benefits. For weight loss, you can have one glass of milk after meals. This will help in improving your metabolism and also keeps you full for a long period. Drinking milk after workouts is shown to support muscle growth and weight loss.

How Much Milk Should be Consumed in a Day for Losing Weight?

While on a weight loss diet, you can consume 1 to 2 glasses (250 to 500 ml) of milk in a day. Make sure to keep an eye on the quantity of milk you consume while trying to lose weight. The fat content and calorie count in milk may lead to weight gain when consumed in higher than recommended quantities

What are the Other Health Benefits of Milk?

• Improves Bone Health: 

The calcium and vitamin D found in milk is essential for your bone health. It lowers the risk of osteoporosis (a condition where your bones become weak and brittle) and fractures, especially in older adults.

• Controls Blood Pressure: 

Milk is a rich source of potassium which helps in controlling your blood pressure. Potassium helps balance the sodium levels in your body, thus maintaining healthy blood pressure. 

• Prevents Cancer: 

Some evidence from studies reveals that food sources rich in calcium help in reducing the risk of cancer. 

• Improves Muscle Mass: 

The vitamin D and calcium content in milk improve your muscle mass. Vitamin D is essential for the growth and development of muscles and it also plays a role in improving muscle strength. Calcium also plays a crucial role in muscle growth and function.

Who Should Avoid Milk?

If you are lactose intolerant (unable to fully digest the lactose sugar in milk), you should avoid having milk and other dairy products. People with lactose intolerance lack an enzyme that breaks down the lactose sugar in milk. In such cases, consumption of milk can cause symptoms such as bloating, gas, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.