Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Wellness

Healthy milk brands to reach for in the dairy aisle

Holly Riddle
By

Remember the ubiquitous “got milk?” ad campaign from a few years back? Take a stroll down the dairy aisle of most stores these days and you might be inspired to answer with an emphatic “Yes, too much milk!” With the many brands and types of milk available – lactose-free, organic, grass-fed, ultra-filtered, etc. – it can be hard to know which is the best moo juice for your diet and health.

We took a closer look and came up with the best milk brands to reach for if you love cow’s milk, but are looking for healthier or more digestible options.

Woman holding milk
Dean Drobot/Shutterstock

Best organic: Stonyfield Farms 

When it comes to nationally available organic milk brands, Stonyfield Farms takes a top spot, according to The Cornucopia Institute. The Institute is an education and information provider focused on sustainable and organic agriculture. The institute recently rated dairy producers around the country on a “five-cow” rating system according to their practices and organic commitments. 

Recommended Videos

As one of the few nationwide organic dairy providers, Stonyfield Farms received a four-cow “excellent” score, receiving high marks for its certified organic products, non-GMO verified products, lack of antibiotic use, and treatment of its cows. The Cornucopia Institute also points out that Stonyfield stands out as a larger corporation that still supports family-scale farms, even if it might cost a little bit more.

Best grass-fed: Organic Valley and Maple Hill 

Organic Valley and Maple Hill are the leaders in grass-fed organic dairy, in 2019, the brands took their commitment even further. These companies launched a third-party certification system, administered by Organic Plus Trust Inc., that consumers can look to for assurance when it comes to picking dairy products. Prior to the development of this third-party certification, there was no standardization for grass-fed organic dairy. 

Now, customers can find a certified grass-fed organic livestock seal on select dairy products throughout the entire industry. This seal verifies that the farm producing the product is certified organic and all animals receive 60% of their dry matter intake from pasture for at least a 150-day grazing season. 

Why should grass-fed matter? The nutrients cows ingest from the grass they munch filters through to their milk, which has more omega-3s than both conventional mil and organic milk. So, if grass-fed, happy cows are a priority for you when perusing your local dairy aisle, reach for any milk that boasts the certified grass-fed organic livestock seal. If you’re interested in tried and true brands, be sure to look out for Organic Valley or Maple Hill products.

Best lactose-free, ultra-filtered: Lactaid

Believe it or not, if you’re lactose intolerant, you don’t have to give up “real” milk for good and turn to a plant-based alternative. You can protect your digestive health and still enjoy real milk in your cereal, baked goods, and more.

Lactaid is one of the best lactose-free milk options on the market, as it gives you the benefits of regular dairy without gastrointestinal consequences. With just one serving, you’ll reap a high amount of calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, and Vitamin K. You can also buy Lactaid with varying fat content from fat-free to whole, depending on your preferences. 

Lactaid achieves this feat by adding lactase to the mix, a natural enzyme that breaks down lactose, leaving behind the milk you know and love, without the lactose. 

Best ultra-filtered: Fairlife

A process called ultra-filtering can remove lactose as well, so this is another great choice for those with lactose intolerance. Additionally, ultra-filtering provides benefits beyond the removal of lactose. This process removes sugar and natural water from the milk, resulting in a final product with higher protein and calcium content and less sugar and carbs. 

As such, ultra-filtered milk is popular not only with those who are lactose-intolerant but also with those who are diabetic or watching their sugar intake. 

Fairlife offers ultra-filtered milk as well as a whole range of ultra-filtered dairy products, including creamers and protein shakes. 

Choosing the right milk option for your family

Woman drinking in kitchen
If you find that the above grass-fed, organic, lactose-free, or ultra-filtered kinds of milk still aren’t meeting your health needs, it may be time to look into some popular milk alternatives. Luckily, as this market grows by leaps and bounds, with more consumers going to a partial or full plant-based lifestyle, you can find all kinds of milk alternatives out there. From soy to almond, coconut to oat, you’re sure to find milk you’ll love — even if there aren’t any cows involved.  eldar nurkovic/Shutterstock

BlissMark provides information regarding health, wellness, and beauty. The information within this article is not intended to be medical advice. Before starting any diet or exercise routine, consult your physician. If you don’t have a primary care physician, the United States Health & Human Services department has a free online tool that can help you locate a clinic in your area. We are not medical professionals, have not verified or vetted any programs, and in no way intend our content to be anything more than informative and inspiring. 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Holly Riddle
Holly Riddle
Holly Riddle is a freelance food, travel and lifestyle journalist, who also dabbles in copywriting, ghostwriting and fiction…
5 great items for on-the-go meals
Woman eating a salad at her desk

Dining out is fun, but regularly eating homemade meals can keep your wallet heavier and fuel your body with more nutritious foods. In a 2017 study, researchers linked eating home-cooked meals with a better quality diet.
You can’t exactly head to the fridge and whip up a nutrient-rich meal if you’re working from the office or out at the beach, though. Enter brown-bagging it. The practice of packing your own meal may feel like a grade-school throwback. However, it’s a way to fit in a home-cooked meal away from home.
If it’s been a while since you packed your own lunch, allow us to update you: The humble brown bag is something of a relic. These days, there are plenty of reusable options to cut down on your carbon footprint. There are also new ways to ensure your drink stays temperature-controlled. Consider these five items when you’re eating on the fly.

Eating on the go doesn’t always have to involve takeout. Instead, you can brown-bag it using more modern products. Indulging in homemade meals is typically a healthier way to fuel your body. You can nix added salt, sugar, and grease. It can also save you money, though you’ll want to invest in some reusable products to keep your food at the right temperature and from spilling. Bento boxes can separate items like dressings, and coolers are ideal for adventures. Travel mugs, bottle sleeves, and ice packs can ensure your food and drink keep until you’re ready to dig in or drink up.

Read more
5 essential beauty tools for your self care routine
the best feminine wash

Practicing self care is an important part of encouraging health and wellness mentally, physically and even spiritually. A common way that many people exercise self care is through pampering themselves with a spa day at home. This can include lighting a scented candle, turning on some calming music or meditating in a warm, bubble bath. For many people, recreating a spa-like environment at home provides a calm, serene frame of mind without the hefty prices that you’d typically find at a beauty parlor. You can transform your living space into a sanctuary with the help of some essential beauty tools that are available on Amazon right now.
Here are five essential tools to use for your self care routine:

Indulging yourself with these five beauty products can help you turn a boring beauty regimen into an extravagant spa experience. Let's face it, from daily work commutes to heating up frozen dinners after a long day, our every day routines can sometimes become monotonous and lackluster. It's important that we take special care of our mental and physical wellbeing so that we can tackle the highs and lows of life. Something as small as treating yourself to a pretty, glass nail file or applying a nutrient-rich face mask can brighten your mood. Participating in self care has been shown to provide ample health benefits as well as reduce the risks and effects of anxiety and depression. Set aside some time to celebrate yourself with these purposeful beauty tools for the perfect self care day.
 
 
 

Read more
Try these 4 amazing flours to replace wheat when baking
Baker pouring flour into a bowl

Flour is not an ingredient people think much about, that is until a recipe calls for it. Traditional all-purpose flour is made of ground wheat. But, because of food sensitivities, specialized diets, and medical conditions, many cannot eat regular flour. Nowadays, there is a wide variety of products available for people with gluten intolerances, which means there are plenty of flour substitutes to choose from. Keep reading to learn why you may want to ditch traditional flour and the best substitute for wheat flour to try instead.

When to use a flour alternative
Though all-purpose flour is the most common type used in baking and cooking, it’s not suitable for all people. Because it contains wheat (and, by extension, gluten), traditional flour can cause digestive issues for a lot of people. People with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or other food allergies may need to avoid wheat flour. Those who have IBS may also benefit from a gluten-free diet.

Read more