Glass of Skim Milk a Day Keeps the Appetite at Bay

The findings revealed the men and women who included the high-protein BROWNES skim milk for breakfast ate almost 10 per cent less on average when compared to those who included a juice drink.

25/11/08 Western Australians who substitute their morning glass of orange juice with skim milk eat significantly less at lunch according to research commissioned by the University of Western Australia.

The recent local study took a sample of overweight men and women and gave half the group a glass of BROWNES skim milk and the other half a sugar-based fruit juice drink. They were then asked to record how hungry they felt leading up to and during lunch.

The findings revealed the men and women who included the high-protein BROWNES skim milk for breakfast ate almost 10 per cent less on average when compared to those who included a juice drink. They also indicated they felt less hungry after consuming a glass of skim milk with their breakfast.

Fonterra’s Nutritionist and an Accredited Practising Dietitian, Jacinta Orr said many people cut back on dairy as they mistakenly believe this food group to be fattening.

“This can also mean missing out on the important nutrients that dairy foods provide.

“The need to reduce calories, together with including regular physical activity, has long been key to a successful weight management plan. However, managing appetite and resisting urges to eat can be a challenge.

“It is interesting that those men and women drinking skim milk at breakfast recorded feeling more satisfied and less hungry – across a few hours, and closer to lunch. BROWNES skim milk is a real hunger busting choice to save on calories later.

“This study debunks the myth that dairy should be one of the food groups to cut back on if you are concerned about your weight.

“By consuming a glass of BROWNES skim milk, it will not only keep you feeling fuller for longer, subsequently it may help you to manage your appetite and eat less.”

Senior Research Fellow, Dr Trevor Mori, explained that the uniqueness of the trial was the study design. It was designed such that the time between drinking the skim milk and the following meal represented the typical timeframe between meals of 3-4 hours.

"Other studies have not shown a difference with smaller time lapses. You can see that the timing is important for higher reported satiety with skim milk; that is feelings of fullness, being less hungry and eating less,” Dr Mori said.

The study will be presented by the University of Western Australia’s Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dr Emma Dove at the 2008 Obesity Society Annual Scientific Meeting on Thursday November 20.