Tis the season for sugar- How low-fat milk is sneaking extra calories into your Christmas

With the festive season also fast approaching, many may be seeking ways to reduce sugar intake while still enjoying their favourite seasonal treats.

Jonathon Sitson, from whipped cream canister retailer Quick Whip, reveals that these milk alternatives can actually contain higher sugar levels than whole milk, making this choice less healthy than it appears.

Sugar content misconceptions

"While skimmed and semi-skimmed milk have similar levels of lactose to whole milk, the higher sugar content in coffee drinks made with these milks can often be due to larger amounts of milk being used.

“With less fat to balance the sweetness, the natural sugar in the milk becomes more noticeable, leading to a sweeter taste and higher overall sugar content."

"The increased sugar content in drinks made with skimmed or semi-skimmed milk could also be influenced by added syrups and flavourings. To balance the lighter taste of these milk types, more syrup might be used, which can contribute to the higher sugar levels compared to whole milk drinks."

Sugars in whole and skimmed milk

“For example, in Starbucks drinks like the Venti Fudge Brownie Hot Chocolate, the difference in sugar content between skimmed and whole milk is noticeable. Skimmed milk contains 43.2g of sugar, semi-skimmed milk has 42.8g, while whole milk contains 42.5g.

"Similarly, in the Gingerbread Latte, skimmed milk has 36.1g of sugar, semi-skimmed milk has 35.8g, and whole milk has 35.5g.

“Although this may not make a huge difference, it’s an important factor to consider if you’re trying to switch to a milk alternative for a less sugary, healthier option."

Plant based options

“For a less sugary alternative, plant based milk options in the Hot White Chocolate like almond milk has 54.8g, and coconut milk contains 48.1g, while both skimmed and semi-skimmed milk contain around 64g of sugar.

"Surprisingly, the oat milk option contains 67.4g of sugar, making it the highest sugar plant-based alternative, even more than other popular milk substitutes. This highlights the importance of checking labels carefully, as consumers can easily be misled by the 'healthier' reputation of plant-based options without considering their sugar content."

Less sugars in whole milk

"Ultimately, it’s important for consumers to be aware that choosing skimmed or semi-skimmed milk may not necessarily be the healthier option or lead to the sugar reduction they expect.

“While skimmed and semi-skimmed milk might seem like the healthier option due to their lower fat content, they can actually contain similar or higher levels of sugar when compared to whole milk or plant-based alternatives.”