Spoiling Milk: How Dairy Won’t Help You Grow

I was a milk kid. Growing up, my parents would make me drink a glass with every meal so that I wouldn’t break any bones and would grow. Anytime I would complain about my height or any minor injury, such as a sprained ankle, my dad’s response would be, “Well, you should drink more milk!”

And while I do enjoy milk, this stigma that dairy is what makes you grow was one I believed for years, so I continued to drink it even after reaching my full height of 5 feet 3. Hence, when I reached high school and was still only 5’3 with a father who is 6’2, I did what I thought would help, which was…You guessed it. Drink more milk. 

Like me, most of us grew up believing that milk is important for healthy bones and for increasing height. However, the reality is this: while drinking milk is a great source of calcium, it actually won’t help you grow. 

Some brief history:

Around 10,000 years ago humans began domesticating animals such as cows, goats and sheep. Before then, the only source of nutrition for infants was breast milk. It is believed that the first domesticated animal was the goat, followed by sheep and then cattle. Once society recognized its value, milk gradually became incorporated into products such as cheese, butter, and yogurt, which are easier to store and spoil more slowly.

So What Makes You Grow?

Genetics is the primary factor that determines your final stature. Also, you stop growing once you hit puberty, so drinking milk won’t help you grow once you have. In most cases, girls reach their full height potential by age 15, and boys by age 17. So, there’s nothing you can do to override your genetics. 

This misconception associated with milk stems from bone growth. As I mentioned earlier, milk is rich in calcium and other macronutrients (Vitamins D and A), all of which play a role in bone development. Getting proper intake of all these nutrients increases your bone mass and density, both of which are important for preventing osteoporosis. Yet bone growth of this kind does not equate to growth spurts.

What This Means:

Although this is extremely disappointing information, I can say that my reliance on milk has resulted in me never breaking a bone or suffering from any severe injuries as an adolescent. I can fully attribute that to the false belief my dad instilled in me that I would sprout a couple of inches. What I can say, however, is that this shell shocking discovery has changed my relationship with milk and how often I drink it.

Growing up, I felt forced to drink milk with every meal because of my parents and the idea of depriving myself of the benefits offered. However, now I can say I enjoy drinking milk now and then, not because I'm under the impression I'll sprout a few inches, but because it fuels my body and tastes good. I connect milk with food, like pouring a glass of milk with cookies or to wash down a warm brownie. So ultimately, I think this reinforcement of dairy consumption helped me grow up with a good relationship with it.

I've also come to find that the plethora of other milks on the market (Soy, Almond, etc.), just don't compare in nutritional value to regular milk. For example, did you know that cow's milk is about 87% water? This makes it an excellent source of hydration. Now you may be wondering, well, what if I'm lactose intolerant? Well, in that case, there are many plant-based milks, such as almond milk, as mentioned above, that are enriched in vitamins to make them comparable. This can be a great choice for people with dietary restrictions or allergies.

My best friend Katharine has been lactose intolerant since elementary school. She did not grow up drinking milk and hasn't for years because it causes her stomach discomfort. Because of this, she takes calcium supplements to keep her bones strong and uses alternatives such as oat milk.

Milk Does Have Some Cons:

Despite all the benefits, like everything else, milk does have its downsides. Sometimes cow's milk can contain pesticides or antibiotics because the cows are exposed to them. Think of the movie Napoleon Dynamite. In the film, he enters a milk tasting contest and guesses that one of the glasses is from a herd that got into an onion patch. The things cows consume can affect the milk they produce. It is also high in saturated fat which can increase cholesterol levels, if not drank in moderation.

What About Different Types of Cow Milk?

When I go to the grocery store it's overwhelming to decide on what carton to pick. 2%, 1%, Whole, Skim: these are all types of milks offered in the dairy aisle. I've always steered clear of Whole Milk because I was under the impression that it "fattened you up," which I now know in moderation isn't true. So which type is the healthiest option? It all depends on your goal. 1% milk is only 1% fat and is lower in calories so if you're trying to lose weight that's a good option. On the flip side, whole milk is a higher source of fat and vitamins which is good for children who need more energy.

Overall, milk is extremely beneficial to your diet and is an easy source of vitamins and protein that your body needs to make healthy bones. But remember, it does NOT affect growth or height!! When it comes to deciding what type or how often to drink, that all comes down to personal preference. One of my roommates buys skim milk to store in our fridge and another one buys whole milk. It's all based on choice and what's right for your nutritional needs or goals. Me on the otherhand, I think I'll continue to stick with 2%.