I do not pay for the store to water down my milk, as in 2% and such. We found that we can do this at home. Buy whole milk and add cold water to it. Since this is a matter of taste, you will have to find what suits your family best. It is a great way to get more bang for the buck, plus my 8 year old who loves dairy does not know I am cutting out some of his milk fats.
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2% and 1% milk is not watered down milk. When I was a kid we would seperat our own milk. The separater had several discus that the milk was spun through. When the milk was spun really fast you ended up with milk with very little or no cream left in it. It looked alsmot blue. That is how 2% and 1% milk is gotten. But your Idea is a good one any way.
It tastes like watered down milk
sorry ...should have read up on the subject...shirley
Adding water does not magically remove the fat it is just diluted. It also dilutes the calcium and other vitamins in the milk. The difference from whole milk is 3.25 milk fat while 2% has 2%.
Adding water to milk will cut down on the fat, but it also significantly cuts down on the nutritional value of the milk. The only difference between whole milk, 2%, 1%, skim is the fat - none of the other nutrients are changed.
My boy drinks and eats lots of dairy. For me, this is fine but you are right if it were another family, this might affect their nutrients. We fly through milk in our house. Well, all dairy products are a rage here.
If you really want 2% milk mix equal parts skim and whole milk. When my children were at home I would make up a gallon of dry milk (sometimes adding just a little extra dry milk granules to the amount of water required) about 1 teaspoon sugar and refrigerate it for 24 hours, give it a good shake and then mix half 'n half with whole milk.
There is no point mixing skim with whole milk to make 2%. Lets say whole milk cost $4 a gallon and skim cost $3.80. You can buy 2% for $3.90 so why bother?
My only issue is wic only covers whole milk.. my daughter can only stomach the 1% milk.. so I've been trying to figure out how to dilute whole to 1%... please help!!!
I have some 1% milk. I want to make it 2%. Anyone know how to do that?
Add another 1% and that will equal 2% -( LOL)
Wic does cover skim milk. Talk to your child's pediatrician to get a prescription for the skim milk, take the prescription to the dietician at the WIC office.
Wic does cover skim milk. Talk to your child's pediatrician to get a prescription for the skim milk, take the prescription to the dietician at the WIC office.
Add a quarter of a gallon of whole milk it will be very close to 2 percent if not right on.
I want to know this too how do you convert whole milk into 1% do you add skim milk and whole milk
Tell your pediatrician they will write a note to WIC requesting they cover whatever percentage milk your child needs. I did that.
Where are you buying milk at. Aldies 98cents And Walmart is now 97 cents
I think you gotta do what helps your pocket book. I watered down some whole milk yesterday and it taste great. As far as the nutrients being lowered I take vitamins.
If you let the wic people know it makes her sick, even ask dr. to back you wic will allow 2%
I've been experimenting with homemade paneer, which leaves is with a bunch of whey left over. Maybe add in the whey as your diluter?
Here at our place, the skim milk costs double the price of whole milk. So, how do we go about making 0-fat milk from the whole milk, costing half the price?
?? Paying for ONE gallon, and end up with TWO gallons is a HUGE savings! It's HALF PRICE if you dilute the whole milk (assuming 1:1 ratio or half milk & half water), it comes out to only $2.00/gallon!
Sadly, it is not possible to do this after the milk is processed/homogenized. The cream no longer separates to the top, so you are simply stuck with what you've got.
What you can do is compare the price of powdered milk. Sometimes this is cheaper.
My mother did this in the 50s and we could not even tell.
Shirley, I just love the way you post. When others share their knowledge with you, you accept it so graciously and you don't become defensive. I truly enjoyed reading your responses back to the new posts. I learned something today, too. Thanx to all of you :):) Keep posting!!!
Like most everyone I try to save money. I mix one half gallon of whole milk to one half gallon of powdered milk (whole), what do I get? If I mix one half gallon 2% and one half gallon powder milk (whole), what do I get?
Shirley, I can understand this easy mistake. Again, I want to applaud your gracious acceptance of corrective advice.
Maybe you will consider adding powdered milk to your watered down milk to increase the nutritional value.
Good luck
I bought a small churn to try making my own butter. Do I use soured whole milk at room temperature and what else can you recommend?
Sorry Shirley, I cannot agree! I am a longtime dairy woman, and I know that although skim milk looks watery, it actually has MORE, MORE concentrated nutrition!! Truth! So cutting milk with water is cheating your boy during brain development? Maybe this would deserve a little further research?
I make my own 2% milk...equal parts whole milk, to only spring water..works great for me and it's healthier.
Ok. Miss "dairy woman", since you've been drinking dairy for a long time, you are therefore an expert? I briefly skimmed over some info after googling "making 1% from whole". I'm shocked to see he results. Still haven't found an answer. "It cuts the fat in half(clearly)BUT, also calcium, vitamin D...!"..... um, I don't mean to be mean(hehe) at all, but assuming we're all adults, aren't those 2 facts(fat/vitamin content)not necessary to point out? Mentioning, ok, but my entire purpose for looking this up is to find out what I'm sure others are wondering; how much water can I mix with whole milk to get a 1% rate of milk fat and consistency/taste of whole milk? OF COURSE, I understand the Vitamins will not magically multiply themselves. I'll address this since many I'm sure will want to comment- as far as the calcium, vitamin D etc is concerned.... I'm not too worried. If not for anything else, because my bowl(s) of cereal are going to be a bit larger than most... I'm guessing! Lol-because yeah, they are mixing bowls. Anyway, only reason I at first referenced the dairy lady was simply because of her comments towards someone else(whom I do not know whatsoever). However, found myself quite upset at how DW(dairy woman)made her point. Assuming that this woman is "cheating her boy during brain development""?" I dunno about everyone else, and no, I'm not a parent yet, but that is just not how you approach something like that. Could have just said "hey, you ARE aware the added water is lacking vit/min that would be present in the milk?" But to use "cheating" and "brain development"?! Lol, I'm sure many will agree; you say that to the wrong mother, and she'll be perturbed.... to say the least. So, BUY whole milk! Add half water! Save money! Also, if you're not a fan of drinks that are thick fatty and disgusting. I.e.-whole milk! Nobody mentions.... it is simply thick and ugh: but to each his or her own. Actually, when ya think abou it; it's weird to drink in the first place. We're humans! Not veals. That leads to the obvious question(which will make people cringe and puke)why is it customary in our culture to drink this random animals milk, and maybe a few other animals, but never ever think of drinking human milk. Just a thought!
humans aren't meant to ingest cows milk. so tell me again how she's depleting her children of nutrients by not giving them a full dose of milk from another animal? ever hear of lactose intolerance? it's from the human body rejecting the milk from a cow.... because we're not built to ingest it..... yes, maybe this would deserve a little more research?
Actually you can get more brain development elsewhere.. especially when a child is lactose and tolerant... milk isn't always the ANSWER FOR BRAIN DEVELOPMENT.... SO, SO TIRED OF HEARING THAT FROM SOME OF THE RESPONSES!!!!
And...I be that perturbed mother that has a child who can only drink lactaid.. and another drinks 1% that we water down.. and they are both smart children.. maybe because I give them vitamins ......lol... that ....perturbed mother...hehehe.....thx Shirley...much help
Veals?
Veal is the name for meat from baby calfs. Like lamb is for sheep, when they are grown, it is called mutton.
when my son was little he could not drink formula and the doctor had to give me a note to take to WIC so I could get 2% milk for him because he would throw up every time I give him formula and since I was unable to breast-feed him formula was the next best thing I thought that it wasnt he had to drink 2% milk and he turned out fine because you can replace the vitamins that are in formula and whole milk with vitamins that you get from the pharmacy so if you are afraid that your children are not getting enough vitamins buy them extra vitamins and give to them every day and I have to add this is been very informative because I was wondering how to cut whole milk down to make it to percent because my aunt mistakenly picked me up some whole milk and forgot that we drink 2% milk
I agree I mix mine the same way but I'm going to start drinking twice as much so I get the same nutritional benefits
Calfs? Ohhhh you mean calves See correcting her use of veal wasnt very useful to the subject matter. I dont like making people feel stupid but Ill make an exception for grammar minders that like to make others feel stupid. It just isnt nice or necessary.
yes, humans are meant to ingest cow's milk. that's why we have been for hundreds of years. i love whole milk and it has never huirt mr. you're just trying to be a know-it-all when all it does is make you look stupid.
Why would watering down the milk decrease nutritional value? If you take a gallon of milk and turn it into two by making it half milk/half water, and then you drank both gallons, what is the difference?
If you want to get scientific about it, there are ZERO reasons for drinking another mammals milk at all. A healthy diet doesn't need any dairy.
I agree dairy is not need for nutrition it is also a scientific fact humans are the only mammoths that give there young milk after a year of age when it's not needed. Thanks for the ideal
If every one wasn't meat to drink it then we would all be lactose intolerant hahaha!!!get a clue and maybe do some other research other then the negatives that some narrow minded people say
Humans are the only "mammoths?" LOLOL I know it's a typo...but funny. Thanks had a good laugh
Actually, scientifically proven, the only people who are not naturally lactose intolerant are African Americans. They are not because their DNA has adapted to their origin or the original dairy farmer in Africa. Most everyone else will become lactose intolerant as they age and their bodies build antibiodies against the cow milk protein that is unnatural for us to drink. So rude much? Maybe you should research a little before you nag on someone? Education is a powerful thing, and negativity only directs people in a wayward direction that is no longer helpful. As for the milk fat, yes you can decrease it by adding water, however the amount of nutrients in an 8 oz glass is also decreased. Eating other dairy items, calcium and vit D rich foods (salmon, artichokes, avocado...) or taking a calcium supplement would take care of that issue.
Lactose is not milk protein. It is milk sugar. Maybe you need to do more research too! Lol!
Do you really think it makes logical sense that thousands of cows are farmed (not only for the meat) but many of them for their milk?? I am a dairy eater, I love love love cheese and ice cream, so Im not turning this into some vegetarian debate. If you look into it, most of the world doesnt even eat dairy. In Asia its considered an expensive food. So yeah for hundreds of years some people have been eating it, but most havent. And throughout history, most cultures didnt (and still dont) eat as much animal byproduct as we are talking about.
So I agree with many of the comments above. Dairy is not needed for the integrity of human nutrition, however it is often supplemented. Just because youre not lactose intolerant doesnt mean its good for you. Im not sugar intolerant, but its not good for me. Yes, it can be beneficial, I dont feel bad about drinking milk. But human beings were designed to only need breast milk up until a year of age and then we derive our necessary nutrients from whole foods. So I would say, I think its okay to dilute the nutritional values of whole milk because cow milk should not be the main source of vitamins and minerals and calcium in the first place. But above all, if its really a pressing question, asking a doctor or nutritionist is best.
I just came up with the brilliant idea to dilute my milk too. Basically to save money. Good thing I just googled this, sounds like diluting it makes no sense because you loose the good stuff. So we'll be drinking 1% still.
I'm always looking for any way to cut back these days. My husband thinks I'm crazy. I'm always coming up with crazy ideas.
If there is an Adli's supermarket the milk is very reasonable and taste great. I drink 2% and depending where you live it can be around $2. 39 - $3. 00. Good luck
Jesus milk where I am is $1.50 to $1.78 that is for whole milk 2% milk 1% milk if there is an Aldi around a Walmart within walking distance milk will always be cheaper
$1.50?! Is that for 4 liters??! I don't know where you live, but I live in BC, Canada and milk is just under $5 for a 4 liter jug..
Shirley, great idea and to be frank, I don't really mind the decrease in "nutrition" because we don't rely on milk for nutrition. We eat a healthy balanced diet and there are foods that are higher in calcium than milk. so not a big deal about watering down. For those who get healthy food and vitamins from everything else they eat, this is a good option. I plan to do this. My family gets more calcium from other things, such as dark leafy greens and kale, kidney beans, raw almonds. Many health foodies or nutritionists know there are many other viable options for calcium and vitamins. I make a fantastic kale slaw that is super delicious and the whole family loves it. Plus we take whole food supplements if it's a concern. When all milk is to us is just an ingredient or addition then there is absolutely nothing wrong with watering it down. Thanks for the idea.
There is a lot of talk about nutrition here. way too much in my opinion. Guys... give the nutritional micromanagement obsession a break please! Just eat healthy and enjoy your milk however you like it. I like to save money so this site helped me decide to buy whole milk and add a little water to help stretch my dollar.
I don't rack my brain worrying about nutritional values. instead I eat healthy and enjoy my slightly watered down milk with cereal, or in healthy recipes, and occasionally in a milk shake. I need my dairy: milk, cheese, ice cream, cheese, sour cream, cheese, yogurt, cheese... all in moderation. oh, and by the way, If you didn't notice, I like cheese! ;-)
This makes absolutely no sense as whole milk is more expensive then 2%.
I have to ask where you shop. I have never, in all the years I have bought milk, seem whole milk more expensive than 1%, 2%, or fat free milk. All of those products go through further processing than whole milk. As a matter of fact, most sales I see are for whole milk by the gallon. Julie
So I question where you live as here in canada I buy whole milk for my son and it costs on average 30-50 cents more per gallon
I live in Pa. and whole milk is the highest in price, 2% a little lower and skim is the cheapest. That is all my local stores including WalMart.
You're joking, right? Whole milk is ALWAYS more expensive than other varieties of milk! Either you have never actually purchased milk or you live in a land of opposite, where whole milk costs less than its counterparts...but I doubt that :)
I live in a fairly small town with a dairy processing plant in it, so all the different milks have always been the exact same price. Around $2 to $2.40 a gallon. Sometimes $1.69 if it's on sale.
I guess it depends on where you live - I'm in Georgia and in all my years of shopping for groceries (I'm 69) I've never seen a difference in price for skim, 1%, 2% or whole at any market I shop. All varieties of milk in my shopping area are the exact same price.
Don't know if anyone has ever noticed but I looked the answer to this question up because I had noticed that my Half n Half has a very long shelf life and I assumed it was because of the fat content. From there my mind started wondering if whole milk (because of more fat) would have a longer shelf life than the 2% that I have used for years. I guess it's time for an in home test so I'm going to start buying whole milk and adding water to it as I use it (not the entire gallon at one time) We'll see!
I live in SW MI and all milk costs the same unless bought at a convenience store or gas station. I guess we're fortunate.
I'm not sure where you live, but I live in BC Canada and whole milk has always been more expensive than 2%, 1% etc.
Where I live (Canada, BC) whole milk is more expensive by about 40-50 cents, and 2%, 1% and skin milk are all the same price.
Where i live in Michigan all milk costs the same . it dont matter what store you go to the price is the same no matter what type of milk it is. You pay more for different brands but that is the only difference in price
This was very rude. Obviously these people have bought milk before. In case you didnt know, prices of things differ based on where you live. So it is in fact true that in some states all milk is the same price. I live in Mississippi where all varieties of milk are always the same so theres never a question of price between 2% and whole milk for me. Our chicken breast is also only $2.00 a pound are you gonna tell me Ive never bought chicken cause its cheaper than where you live??
Thanks, Shirley! I tend to think way you do. We get our nutrients through a variety of alternatives, so I'm not really concerned about my family losing out on that part. I started diluting when my husband started drinking 3 gallons a week on his own. At $4.00/gallon... lucky for the family I hate milk (but love cheese).
My son is healthy, eats plenty cheeses, yogurts, vegetables, fortified oj, and even likes certain fish. There are plenty of ways to supplement milk, so I don't see why this can't be done.
I agree with most who have posted above. The amount of nutritional value supposedly "lost" is negligible since milk, in and of itself, is not a major source of nutrition. Most people drink some in the morning or put it on cereal and that's it.
The other point is that if you believe for a second that when they remove the fat "cream" from the milk that they somehow magically leave all the valuable nutrients in the final product I have a bridge to sell you. If you buy anything but whole milk you are actually paying for them to make money off of you because they take the "waste" product and sell it as whipping cream or half and half.
I have worked at a dairy processing plant and they do heat the milk and skim it but they DO add water to make 2% or 1% and evem in skim milk. They use tap water and what do you think is in that water that they add?
I add water to whole milk too. I add equal amounts of milk and water. I put that in quart containers and THEN I freeze them. That way we can take one out of the freezer the night before & put it in the refrigerator to defrost. We shake it every now and then as it defrosts & before we use it.
This allows us to buy a gallon when it is on sale & not have it go to waste.
I add water to whole milk, my wife isn't the wiser
I water down whole milk too, have done so off and on for several years. Milk for me goes with cereal, and baked goods; anything savory - water please.
I also think it's slightly odd we're the only mammals who consume milk past infancy, and it isn't our own...
Ever consider that hundreds of years ago, food wasn't as easily sourced or processed for that matter. Milk directly from the cow/goat/camel, was high in fat. Which, would be a life saver when other foods were scarce.
A sweet old lady at church told me this was how she saved money raising her kids years ago. I agree that it does cut the nutritional value down but...milk is not our only nutritional source. I'm trying to provide my family with the absolute best balanced diet for as little money as possible. We honestly don't drink much milk. We don't eat cereals because I make hot healthy meals or smothies with homemade milk kelfir. I do use whole milk in my milk kelfirs and in my homemade yogurts. I also enhance nutritional value in the yogurts by fortifying the milk with powdered. So when there is a gallon of milk in the fridge just for drinking, cooking or adding to oatmeal ect. it's half water / milk taste like 2% I buy 3 gallons whole milk every 2 weeks. 1 for a huge batch of yogurts, 1 for Milk Kelir and 1 to make 2 gallons of the halfed stuff. I mix and then I store on in the freezer for the next week. Been doing this for years.
To gowens1,
You sound like a thrifty women. I have recently started staying home and going from two incomes to one has been an adjustment. I was wandering how you made the yogurt and half and half. If there is one recipe on the internet there is a million. Could you give me some advise. I have provided my email below so we could speak directly. Thanks a bunch. I would also like other suggestions for saving money. Cassey
did you ever find out how to make the yogurt and half and half? I am interested in learning this too.
Of course it's a great idea. Especially when kids do not like to drink water. They are none the wiser and getting plenty of hydration this way. I always enjoyed a cold glass of milk as a child. I think that is part of it. Because it is cold it taste better.
According to the FDA the difference in whole and 2% milk is water. This water may or may not be the natural water that comes from the animals body, that causes the milk to be liquid, but water is water. Whether, you add it or not. I will add, there is only a 1.5% difference in whole milk and 2%.
Can't be watered down because notice how fast the cereal get soft when you add water
My little one will only drink milk. He goes thru a gallon every 2 days with milk being almost $4 a gallon. I add water to whole milk , that way it cuts down on fast content plus saves us money.
Why are you guys rambling about 2% milk? Your body does not require milk. If you want 2%, mix equal parts whole milk and skim milk. If you want to save money, mix equal parts whole milk and water. Done!
The FDA should know how the dairy processing plant makes 2 present milk, They say the only difference is water. So. If this is correct we must be able toget the full essence by twice the amount of the liquid while absorbing half the fat listed for 1 cup. Does that make sense?
Thanks for the variety of help ladies and gents. I was debating about splitting my milk since it's easy to go through and gets expensive depending on diets.
I'm going to try splitting my gallons half and half. See how the family does. It seems to only ever be baking or cooking use when we use milk so any extra stretch of the dollar is good.
I water down whole milk for frothing because it changes the texture of the froth for the better in my lattes. I tend to use some form of milk or cream in my coffee or for recipes and don't drink it as a beverage alone. I have no desire to buy several kinds of milk since I don't use that much. You can do a lot with milk or cream to make other types of dairy products from them. I am a nutritionist and food scientist and product developer. Bottom line is it depends upon your goal for watering down the milk. It is fair to say there is less nutritional density if you add 1/2 a cup of water to 1/2 cup whole milk vs. a cup of whole milk. Read the nutritional label and do the calculation to compare 1% or 2% to 4% milk for other nutrients or google it! With that said, you don't need milk beyond your early years but if you live in an area where you do continue to consume dairy from other animals (other than human), the body will acclimate and use the milk as a good source of calcium and protein. Some milk is fortified with vitamins A and D, two of the fat soluble Vitamins, the later, D, in short supply in the American Diet. It's one way of obtaining Vitamin D that can be well absorbed because it is in a fat based product which aids absorption. So what kind of milk is best depends on its purpose in a recipe or in your diet. Those who don't have milk in their diet beyond mothers milk their early years may be lactose intolerant. Many cultures who do not consume cow milk lose the ability digest it which give it a bad rap.
dont listen to them THEY dont know what theyre talking about... mixing water in is a great way to make your milk and your dollars go farther... i mean 2% costs just as much as whole milk and when i add in about 20% water i can hardly tell the difference and a little sugar and chocolate milk mix makes it yummy... that means youre paying about 80c on the dollar and that means big bucks over the months and years especially if your whole family is drinking it and if some of them drink a lot... and remember if they drink a lot then they are getting more of the nutrients than they need.... after all the nutrients are still in there.
I HAVE BOUGHT MILK AT WAL-GREENS WHOLE MILK, TASTED GREAT, BOUGHT GREAT VALUE AT WAL-MART TASTED WATERED DOWN. I BELEIVE THEY ARE MIXING POWERED MILK WITH WATER TO PRODUCE MILK?..I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN THE SOUTH, SO I AM REAL SURE THIS IS WATERED DOWN.
I know this is such an old thread, but EXACTLY what I was looking for... Whether it's okay to dilute & freeze milk during the Covid19 'STAY HOME' outbreak! Thank you all, enjoyed reading!! Re this opinion on taste difference in various store's milk, I think dairy producers have different formulas & recipes so they do have different tasting milk.(i.e. PET has always tasted creamier to me). However i doubt that they go to the extra trouble & expense of adding dry milk into their process, which wud be a huge expense!! <Buying or making it dry, storing it according to FDA guidelines, acquiring, maintaining & callbrating expensive machines to do this extra step on the production line.> Rather, I tend to believe Walgreens buys from a smaller producer who tries harder to please their fewer, more precious customers and who actually makes a better tasting product!
Drinking Milk
If nutrition is a factor then diluting with water is a bad idea.
If taste and enjoyment is the main factor, experiment and figure what is best for you.
I buy whole milk by the gallon and add 50% water, then freeze (most). It suits my pallet.
I know this is about Milk, but I do the same with tomato juice 2/3 to 1/3.
Simple test, try two shots of milk and one shot of water ... if it works, it works
Diluting milk with water does not change the fat content. 2% milk diluted with an equal part water is still milk with 2% fat content. All you are doing is making the milk more watery tasting and reducing the vitamins and minerals in it by half.
Thank you so much for your great idea !!! We are doing this now and saving so much money!!! Keep up your witty ideas, they are awesome!!! Love the taste of my milk and i can now digest milk so much better!!!!
This is so wrong! If you want to water down your milk, that is fine. BUT -- watering down whole milk DOES NOT produce 2% milk!!!
Milk is milk. 2% milk simply has more of the fat (cream) skimmed off the top. NO WATER is EVER added to milk!
1% milk and "skim" milk have even more fat removed. But again, they are 100% pure milk. No water is added during the process.
Please, people! Learn what you are talking about before posting nonsense like this.
If you want to save money and stretch the milk by sticking water in it, fine. Do that. But don't go telling people you are "making your own 2% milk" -- because you are not.
I have done this for many years - full fat add same amount of water to it Ive never bought skimmed and scimmed milk. I take a multi vitamin and cod liver oil every day so I dont worry too much about the milks content. Works for me saved me hundreds of £s over the years x
I have done this for many years - full fat add same amount of water to it Ive never bought skimmed and scimmed milk. I take a multi vitamin and cod liver oil every day so I dont worry too much about the milks content. Works for me saved me hundreds of £s over the years x
Posts get amusing when people go off-topic from the original question. Thanks for the laughs. Heres another reason to dilute milk. On a sodium restricted diet, diluting whole milk will dilute the sodium. Yay!
Thanks for a sensible answer. :)
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