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- Whole milk is gross. I don’t care what RFK says. (businessinsider.com)
Hold the Whole Milk! Government’s Latest Dietary Guidelines Stir Up a Dairy Debate
**Washington D.C. ** – In a move that’s got some folks scratching their heads and others reaching for their preferred cartons, the US government’s latest dietary guidelines are suggesting a shift: out with low-fat, in with whole milk.
This change holds significant implications, particularly for school lunch programs, where whole milk is now set to take center stage. But for many adults, the question remains: who actually prefers that thick, “sludgy” whole milk over the crisp, refreshing alternatives?
The new guidelines, championed by figures like Secretary of Health Robert Kennedy Jr., are being framed by some as a win for “freedom” – an end to the perceived tyranny of skim and 2% milk, allowing Americans to finally indulge in the “verboten pleasures” of full-fat dairy. Secretary Kennedy even shared a video on social media, emphasizing the return of whole milk.
However, not everyone is convinced this is a long-awaited liberation. Many, including this reporter, are struggling to understand the fervor.
“Whole milk isn’t very good?” one commentator mused, echoing a sentiment that seems to be gaining traction.
“I don’t think many of us have felt we couldn’t drink it because of government guidelines. We just don’t like it!”
For some, the aversion to whole milk is purely a matter of taste and texture. Critics describe it as “sludgy,” “thick,” and often having a slightly “sour” aroma.
The white residue it leaves on a glass is also a point of contention. In contrast, 1% milk is lauded as “crisp, drinkable, watery, cold, and refreshing,” perfect on its own or as a companion to cereal.
While skim might be “too watery” for some and 2% “too close to whole,” these options are still generally preferred.
The debate isn’t necessarily about the health benefits of dairy, which are complex and best discussed with a medical professional. Instead, for many, it’s about a simple preference. As one person candidly admitted, “For me, it’s not any fear of fat intake that has kept me from buying whole milk; it’s that whole milk is stinky and gross.”
While there are undoubtedly adults who genuinely prefer whole milk, the idea that large numbers of grown-ups have been “forced to choke down 2%” while “dying for whole milk” is met with skepticism. As one observer pointed out, “You’re a grownup! Buy whatever milk you like!”
The most significant impact of these new guidelines will likely be felt in federal food programs for children, such as the National School Lunch Program, which previously restricted milk options to low-fat varieties. However, even within school settings, the choice of milk might be a moot point for some. As one parent noted, their elementary school children overwhelmingly choose chocolate milk anyway, regardless of the fat content of the plain options.
Beyond the milk debate, some are calling for the government to address other pressing issues within school lunch programs, such as the “abusive fee structure” of certain digital payment systems that charge significant fees for adding money to student accounts.
Ultimately, for many American households, the government’s latest dietary pronouncements won’t be changing their dairy habits. As one individual declared, “I was raised in a 1% household. I will continue to buy 1% because it’s delicious, and whole milk is gross, and Uncle Sam can’t tell me what to do.”
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- Whole milk is gross. I don’t care what RFK says. (businessinsider.com)