Do We Really Need 6% Milk?

Ontarians may see a hefty new milk offering in their dairy aisle this spring. In April, Sealtest soft-launched a 6% milk fat product in the province.

The creamy new offering departs from the standard fuller fat option of 3.25% whole milk (a.k.a. homogenized milk) in a few notable ways. It’s higher in calories and saturated fat, for one.

Six percent milk, which is basically just milk with a higher added cream content, has 220 calories per one-cup serving and delivers 15 grams of fat (9 grams of which are saturated) and 8 grams of protein.

By contrast, one cup of whole milk has 160 calories, 8 grams of fat (5 grams of which are saturated) and 9 grams of protein. (And yes, that's right—there's actually more protein per serving in 3.25 percent milk than six percent.)

Why 6%?

What’s the reason behind the appearance of a higher fat milk in stores? A spokesperson for Sealtest told the Canadian Press earlier this week that the product launch is in response to increased consumer demand for fuller fat options. That increase in consumer interest is partly cultural, reportedly, with greater interest for the product in the South Asian community.

But it may also reflect the growing influence of wellness influencers and the MAHA movement in the U.S. which has seen figures like Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. touting fuller-fat milk and dairy for its fats.

In January, he unveiled a nutritional overhaul of the USDA’s food pyramid. Those new dietary guidelines emphasized full-fat dairy and red meat as pillars of a healthy diet, advice that represents a reversal of decades of science-based health advice that links excess intake of saturated fats to heart disease and recommendations that people opt for lower-fat dairy and reduce their intake of red meat to reduce their risks. (By comparison, Canada's Food Guide emphasizes protein from plant-based sources such as beans, lentils and nuts, rather than animal-based foods such as milk, meat and poultry.)

Are there any real benefits to 6% milk?

Health Canada advises toddlers and small children should consume whole milk until age two as part of a healthy diet, and there’s some research to suggest kids that drink 2% or whole milk may have a reduced risk of childhood obesity.

The value of higher fat milks for adults doesn't seem as clear, however, and many experts question the value of adults opting to increase their intake of saturated fat—which can lead to heart disease. (A Canadian women is diagnosed with heart disease every seven minutes.)

Victoria-based registered dietitian Danielle Van Schaick isn't a fan of the product for adults, generally. "I wouldn't recommend higher fat dairy products for most adults due to the fat, calorie and saturated fat content," she says.

Diets high in saturated fat contribute to high cholesterol levels, says Van Schaick, while consuming excess fat and calories can also cause weight gain.

That said, if you need to gain weight—or if you have a highly active child who has high energy needs—6% milk may be of benefit, she adds. It *could* also be a smart addition to your morning coffee.

"If used in the same portion, 6% milk can be a healthier alternative to having 10% cream," she says.

For women in the thick of periomenopause or in menopause, calcium is a much-needed mineral, says Jamila Kanji, a registered dietitian certified by the Menopause Society.

"Dairy is a great source of calcium in midlife (peri/menopause).  It is important for women to focus on calcium at this stage as they can lose up to 20% of their bone mass through the menopause transition."

But she counsels against looking to higher fat dairy to meet those needs.

"I see many women in this stage of life with elevated LDL cholesterol which we know is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease," she says. In these cases, she adds, it's key to reduce the saturated fat in their diets to help bring down cholesterol levels. That means looking to lower-fat dairy and incorporating heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids such as those found in extra virgin olive oil or avocado.

Ultimately, how much demand there is for higher-fat milks remains to be seen. Sealtest is reportedly watching how well it the product performs in-store before expanding its availability.