There are several kinds of milk to choose from when trying to achieve your weight loss goals, and here we will focus on almond milk and skim milk, as there are many advantages to consuming both. However, they are not nutritionally identical. For example, almond milk as a dairy substitute has fewer calories than skim milk, which makes it appealing to those dieters who count calories. On the other hand, skim milk is more directly connected to weight loss because of its calorie burning properties. Weigh your options with almond milk vs. skim milk, and determine which best fits your diet, lifestyle, and taste.

Skim Milk

Skim milk is cow’s milk that has much less fat than whole milk, specifically less than 0.15% fat. Of all the cow’s milk options, skim milk is the lowest in fat and saturated fat.

• How it’s made: Skim milk is made by separating the fat from the milk and then skimming it off. Since vitamins A and D exist within the milk fat, these vitamins are replaced after the skimming process.
• Health perk: The health benefits of skim milk are interesting because after the fat is removed from the milk, it becomes more calcium and protein rich than whole milk.
• Best use: The taste of skim milk is not as strong as whole milk, but it’s still an excellent substitute in recipes that call for any kind of cow’s milk. It’s also great for smoothies and coffee because the taste is much less distinctive.

Almond Milk

Almond milk has a nutty flavor, and is a product of ground almonds. It is low in calories, as well as fat and saturated fat. Vegans favor almond milk, as well as people who suffer from lactose intolerance.

• How it’s made: Almond milk comes from almond butter which is made with ground up roasted almonds, and then water is mixed in. Usually vitamins, stabilizers, calcium, and sweetener are added to fortify the milk.
• Health perk: Since almond milk contains just 3% almonds, it is very low in fat and calories and high in calcium, which makes it a great dairy alternative. Almond milk, however, can’t be considered a full replacement of cow’s milk, as the protein content is much lower. In one cup of whole cow’s milk, there is 8 grams of protein; but one cup of almond milk has only 1 gram of protein. Additionally, those with nut allergies cannot consume almond milk.
• Best use: The flavor of almond is distinct and nutty, making it a great addition to smoothies, granola, and cereal. Tea aficionados should enjoy the taste of almond milk in herbal teas as well.

Almond Milk vs. Skim Milk for Weight Loss

The Basics of Weight Loss

Weight gain occurs when you consume more calories than you need in a day. It doesn’t necessarily matter where the calories come from, be it fats, proteins, or carbohydrates. Creating a calorie deficit will result in weight loss, meaning that you burn more calories than you consume. This forces your body to work on energy from existing fat storage. A deficit of about 3,500 calories is needed to lose 1 pound.

Nutrition Comparison: Almond Milk vs. Skim Milk

Almond Milk for Fewer Calories

Burning more calories than you consume in a day is the key to weight loss. Almond milk that is unsweetened is a favorable alternative to whole milk and even skim milk for people who are trying to lose weight. In one glass of unsweetened skim milk, you will find half the amount of calories than in almond milk, just 43 calories.

Skim Milk for More Protein

Popular brand Silk that manufactures almond milk of several varieties have just 1 gram of protein per serving. There are countless benefits of incorporating protein into your diet for weight loss, as it makes you feel full, thereby delaying hunger pangs. Dieters who eat high protein meals and snacks in moderation are quite successful when it comes to losing weight. Skim milk has three times more protein than almond milk, so if you’re opting for the latter it would be best to pair it with other foods that are high in protein.

Skim Milk for Lower Carbohydrates

Most weightwatchers know that carbohydrates can be quite detrimental to weight loss. For 100 grams of skim milk, you will find just 5.2 grams of carbohydrates; whereas almond milk has 6.67 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams. A low-carbohydrate diet can help to improve the levels of good cholesterol, or triglycerides, in your body.