Question

why does myplate plan suggest to choose skim or 1 % milk over whole?

Answer 1

Short answer: Because skim and 1% milk give you the same protein, calcium and most vitamins as whole milk but with much less saturated fat and fewer calories. MyPlate (and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans) recommends lower‑fat dairy to help reduce saturated fat intake, which lowers risk for high cholesterol and heart disease over time.

Details that matter
- Nutrients kept: Protein, calcium, potassium and (if fortified) vitamin D are essentially the same in skim/1% versus whole milk.
- What changes: Fat, saturated fat and total calories are substantially lower in skim/1% milk. Saturated fat is the component linked to raising LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
- Why that matters: The Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting saturated fat (generally <10% of calories) to reduce cardiovascular risk; switching to low‑fat dairy is an easy way to cut saturated fat without losing important nutrients.

Exceptions and nuance
- Young children: For children 12–24 months, and sometimes up to 2–5 years depending on growth and pediatrician advice, whole milk is often recommended for calories and fat needed for growth and brain development.
- Personal needs: People who are underweight, have certain medical conditions, or need higher calorie intake might reasonably choose higher‑fat milk. If you have high cholesterol, heart disease, or are trying to lose weight, low‑fat is usually better.
- Taste and satiety: Some people prefer whole milk’s taste and find it more satisfying. If switching cold turkey is hard, you can mix whole and low‑fat milk and gradually reduce fat content.

Practical tip
Try 1% as a middle ground — most of the benefit of lowering saturated fat is achieved moving from whole to 1% or skim — and pick what helps you stick to a healthy overall eating pattern.