Milk is considered by many health experts to be a staple food of anyone's diet. Milk and milk products, which include cheese, yogurt and butter, can provide high amounts of calcium to the body, which benefits the bone density and strength of consumers at any age. Certain types of milk can also provide important fats and cholesterols to young children. Because your needs from milk change as you get older, the healthiest milk for your own personal health can depend on specific factors, primarily age.
Young Children
Infants get the greatest benefit from their mother's breast milk -- this milk is high in fats and other nutrients that are not found in other types of milk. Formula is an acceptable alternative if you cannot or choose not to give your child breast milk; formula is often made from cow's milk and is fortified with the nutrients a young child needs. After your baby is weaned from breast milk or formula, you should keep him on whole milk for at least the first 2 years of his life; the fats and cholesterols in whole milk are critical to a baby's healthy development.
Adolescents and Adults
Once a child grows out of his toddler years, the benefits of whole milk subside -- older children, adolescents and adults don't have much need to drink this fat-heavy form of milk. Instead, one percent or whole milk is a better option; these provide all the same nutrients as whole milk, but without the fats and cholesterols that could be harmful to an older individuals' health.
Lactose-Free Milks
Some people are intolerant to lactose, a sugar found in cow's milk and other forms of animal milk. Other people who have adopted a vegan diet restrict themselves from consuming any animal products. This greatly restricts the nutrients brought into the body, but alternative milk products made from vegan sources can be fortified with calcium and other nutrients, narrowing the gap in nutrition suffered by abstaining from dairy. Milks made from soy, almond, rice and oat, among others, all have benefits and drawbacks that could make or break your consumption of them. In any case, sugar-free versions of these milks should be consumed in contrast to sweetened milks, which are much higher in sugar. Be aware that some milks, such as almond and rice, are low in protein in comparison to cow's milk. You should try to supplement this by getting protein from other sources, such as animal products, nuts, legumes and beans.
Considerations
If you are unsure of what milk is best for your circumstances, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may also have more comprehensive information and an informed opinion about what types of milk will best supplement your diet. If you develop stomach pains or other gastrointestinal abnormalities when you consume milk products, talk to your doctor -- you may have a sensitivity or allergy to lactose or other products in milk. Read the nutrition label of any potential milk product and evaluate the calcium content, as well as the fats, sugars, calories and proteins present in a serving of the milk, to learn the pros and cons of each specific product.
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