It has been over a decade ever since federal policy limited higher-fat- milk in schools. This step was taken to curb down childhood obesity in the US. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 5 children and adolescents between age 2 to 19 have obesity. This means the prevalence of obesity among US children and adolescents was 19.7%, which means that 14.7 million US youths aged 2 to 19 have obesity.

However, a new wave of lawmakers and health voices, including the Health Secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr., is calling for whole milk's return.

Push For Full-Fat Dairy

The Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Service, RFK Jr., recently criticized the current US Dietary Guidelines as "antiquated". He is advocating for Head Start programs, which will offer full-fat dairy, and also include whole milk, instead of low-fat versions. This stance, as per him, aligns with the views of promoting traditional, less processed foods.

The US Senate’s Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry recently held a hearing on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which would allow schools to serve whole and 2% milk alongside the already permitted skim and low-fat options. A companion bill in the House of Representatives has bipartisan support. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, who introduced the bill, said, “Whole milk is part of the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ movement — a return to whole foods.”

The National Milk Producers Federation has endorsed the legislation, stating it could encourage more children to drink milk again.

Why Does It Matter?

The federal government plays an important role in school meals through its National School Lunch Programs. This is bound by the US Dietary Guidelines, which are updated in every five years, by the Department of Agriculture and HHS. They recommended low or fat-free dairy for children over age 2, up to 40 years and above.

In 2010, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act limited school milk offerings to skim and 1% options, flavored or unflavored, unless a student had a documented medical need for whole milk.

Amy Reed, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, explained that while higher-fat milk has more calories, the nutrient profile — calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and magnesium — is largely consistent across milk types.

The main concern around whole milk is its saturated fat content, which has been linked to heart disease and obesity. However, experts say the picture is more nuanced.

Cardiologist Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian of Tufts University tells CNN that not all saturated fats are the same and that dairy fat, in particular, may offer benefits. “Some studies show dairy fat may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” he said, adding that milk and yogurt have a neutral or even protective relationship with heart health.

The current dietary guidelines advisory committee, while reaffirming existing recommendations, acknowledged that there is limited but emerging evidence that whole milk may benefit growth and weight management in younger children. Still, the evidence wasn’t strong enough to warrant a policy shift.

When it comes to health, there are no magic shortcuts. “Health is cultivated daily, in small, consistent ways,” said celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar on the episode of All About Her, a podcast hosted by Soha Ali Khan that focuses on women’s nutrition and wellness. Diwekar explained why supplements alone can never replace the essentials of good health, home-cooked food, quality sleep, daily movement, and mindful living.

Supplements Should Complement, Not Replace

According to Diwekar, supplements can only serve their purpose when they are built on top of a strong foundation of healthy habits. Relying solely on pills, powders, or protein shakes while neglecting real food, exercise, and rest does more harm than good. “If your entire focus is on products at the cost of eating home-cooked food, working out, and sleeping well, then it’s not worth it,” she said. Supplements should be seen as supportive tools, not substitutes.

Fitness Doesn’t Need To Be Expensive

A common misconception is that fitness requires costly gym memberships, imported superfoods, or a stack of supplements. Diwekar challenged this belief, stressing that true health is rooted in affordable, sustainable choices. Eating local, seasonal produce and sticking to consistent routines are far more effective than chasing expensive quick fixes. In her words, wellness becomes accessible when we look at what’s around us rather than what is marketed to us.

The Influence of Social Media Trends

The growing culture of influencers promoting supplements was another concern Diwekar highlighted. Many online personalities push powders, pills, and products without disclosing paid partnerships, leaving followers misinformed. This often leads people to buy into the illusion of quick results instead of cultivating habits that bring long-term benefits. Diwekar urged listeners to be cautious about influencer-driven trends and to prioritize their own health signals over marketing hype.

Holistic Health Goes Beyond Food

Nutrition is only one piece of the puzzle. Diwekar reminded her audience that sleep, stress management, and emotional well-being are just as crucial as what we put on our plate. A balanced lifestyle, where rest, relaxation, and movement align with nutrition, creates resilience and lasting wellness. Short-term fads may show quick results, but consistency is the true marker of good health.

Listening To Your Body

Another key takeaway was the importance of tuning into one’s own body. Recognizing signals of hunger, satiety, and energy levels helps individuals build routines that suit their unique needs. Diwekar emphasized that no one-size-fits-all diet or supplement plan can replace personal awareness. Paying attention to your body’s cues is far more effective than blindly copying celebrity-endorsed diets or social media challenges.

Ultimately, Diwekar’s advice blends practicality with tradition. Wellness doesn’t require radical changes, it’s about making small, sustainable choices every day. Cooking at home, walking regularly, choosing local ingredients, and prioritizing sleep are habits that make health achievable for everyone. Supplements can support this lifestyle, but they should never be the foundation.

Those who have belly fat know it is a war when it comes to shedding that fat. It has been fought with everything, from crash diets to endless crunches, but the stubborn midsection just does not go away. Intermittent fasting is not a diet but a way of timing your meals that could help trim that fat. And according to Harvard-trained gastroenterologist Dr. Saurabh Sethi, there are three best tips to lose belly fat with intermittent fasting. One of these is particularly crucial.

Here is how intermittent fasting, done the right way, might finally come to your rescue.

Also Read: No Longer Need 10,000 Steps? 2,500-4,000 Are Enough To Protect Your Heart, Says Doctor

The 12-12 Kickstart

The idea of fasting can sound intimidating. Skipping breakfast or dinner or going without snacks sounds like punishment. But Dr. Sethi suggests starting simple: “First, start with a 12-12 fasting schedule, which is the mildest option. This approach helps you sleep soundly at night and reduces the likelihood of unhealthy food choices the next day."

What does that mean?

You fast for 12 hours (say, 8 pm to 8 am) and eat during the other 12. It is not extreme; you are basically just cutting out late-night snacking and mindless munching. That alone can save you hundreds of calories without you even noticing. Plus, your body finally gets a break from digesting round-the-clock, which helps regulate insulin and metabolism.

Sip Smart During the Fast

If you think fasting means surviving on air, you are wrong. Dr. Sethi is clear: “Second, during your fasting window, only drink black coffee, green tea, black tea, water, apple cider vinegar, lemon water, fennel or basil water, chamomile or ginger tea."

In other words, hydration is key. These drinks not only keep you from feeling bloated but also help curb hunger pangs. Black coffee can give your metabolism a gentle push, while herbal teas like chamomile or ginger soothe your system and reduce bloating. Flavoured waters (lemon, fennel, basil) keep things interesting and refreshing. The trick is: no sugar, no milk, no additions. Pure, clean liquids only.

Why does this matter?

Because breaking your fast with a sugary coffee or fruit juice is like trying to lose weight while eating cake for breakfast. Staying disciplined with what you sip makes intermittent fasting effective.

Build a Plate That Works Harder Than You

Fasting is not a free pass to eat pizza and pastries during your eating window. Dr. Sethi emphasises: “Third, focus on a high-fibre, high-protein diet during your eating window. High-protein foods like paneer, tofu, chickpeas, chicken, turkey, and fish, and high-fibre foods like fruits and veggies. This combination will keep you full and satiated while promoting fat loss."

Protein helps repair and build muscle while keeping you fuller for longer. Fibre slows digestion, keeps blood sugar stable, and gives you that lovely “I’m full, I don’t need dessert” feeling. Together, they form a dynamic duo that not only supports fat loss but also makes fasting easier because you won’t be ravenous when the clock says “no food”.

Intermittent fasting will not melt belly fat overnight, and you still need to eat mindfully. But when done consistently, it can create a calorie deficit, improve metabolic health, and reduce cravings that hamper your goals. And you do not have to cut out entire food groups or live with greens. You just have to learn when to eat, what to sip, and how to build your plate.

For nearly 50 years, the U.S. government has urged Americans to avoid whole milk. The shift began in the late 1970s, when rising rates of obesity and heart disease led to strict recommendations: drink low-fat or skim milk, limit cheese, and keep saturated fat to a minimum. These guidelines became official in 1980, shaping what schools served, what food aid programs provided, and even how families stocked their refrigerators.

Now, that long-standing stance may soon change.

Kennedy Pushes for a Policy Reversal

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has repeatedly argued that full-fat dairy deserves government endorsement. Backed by President Donald Trump, Kennedy is spearheading the “Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy,” a plan that would allow whole milk in public schools and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) assistance program.

The move is part of Kennedy’s broader “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, which encourages eating less processed food and re-examining decades of nutritional advice. Unlike some of his more controversial positions, such as promoting raw milk or questioning vaccines, this proposal has mainstream support. Dairy farmers, nutritionists, and even some public health experts agree the science on dairy fat may have been misunderstood.

Is Whole or Skim Milk Healthier?

For decades, the case against whole milk rested on one concern: saturated fat. Experts feared it clogged arteries, contributed to diabetes, and drove obesity rates higher.

But the evidence has never been airtight.

Randomized trials have not proved that low-fat milk is healthier than whole milk, while newer research suggests dairy fat may actually help regulate blood sugar, improve satiety, and slow digestion.

A 2020 meta-analysis of 28 studies found mixed results, in most, children who drank whole milk were less likely to be overweight, but in others, milk type made no difference. Some researchers now argue the distinction between whole and low-fat dairy may not matter as much as once thought.

Read: Why Does RFK Want Whole Milk To Return To Schools?

As cardiologist Dariush Mozaffarian of Tufts University put it: “Dairy fat was given a wrongful conviction in 1980. Forty-five years later, that wrongful conviction might be overturned,” as reported by the Washington Post.

What Health Organizations Still Say

Despite shifting research, most health authorities continue to recommend low-fat dairy for children over age two and for adults. Their advice remains consistent: limit saturated fat to under 10 percent of daily calories (or 6%, in the case of the American Heart Association).

U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans: Whole milk for toddlers; skim or 1% for older children and adults.

American Heart Association: Whole milk for toddlers; skim, 1 percent, or 2% for older groups.

American Academy of Pediatrics: Whole milk for toddlers unless obesity risk is high; skim or 1% afterward.

World Health Organization: Breastfeeding preferred for infants; whole milk acceptable for older babies; saturated fat capped at 10% of daily intake.

This gap, between official recommendations and newer research, is at the heart of Kennedy’s push.

Industry Support for Whole Milk

Dairy groups have lobbied for years to bring back whole milk in schools and food programs. Producers argue consumers are already shifting toward higher-fat products as newer studies cast doubt on the dangers of dairy fat.

“It’s time for federal nutrition policy to catch up with the science,” said Andrew Jerome of the International Dairy Foods Association to the Post. The National Milk Producers Federation has also pressed the government to give families more choice.

Sales trends reflect this change: while 2% milk remains the most popular, whole milk consumption has been climbing slowly over the past decade.

Also Read: 5 Cow’s Milk Substitutes—And What To Look For Before You Buy

The Politics Behind Milk

Kennedy has criticized the current dietary guidelines as “antiquated” and too lengthy, promising to replace the 149-page report with a shorter version focused on whole foods. He has also called for re-elevating milk, cheese, and yogurt as central to children’s health.

The Trump administration’s upcoming dietary guidance is expected to highlight whole milk as a healthy choice, though it has remained silent on flavored milks like chocolate or strawberry. These remain available in reduced-fat varieties, despite concerns over high sugar content.

Critics, however, caution against rushing to rewrite policy. Erin Ogden of the Center for Science in the Public Interest warned and told the Post that saturated fat is still linked to health risks: “There hasn’t been enough evidence indicating that the source of saturated fat changes its impact on the body.”

What Comes Next

Most public schools have been barred from serving whole milk since 2010, when a law signed by President Barack Obama tied lunches to federal nutrition guidelines. The WIC program follows the same rules, restricting families from buying whole milk for children over age two.

That could soon change. If the administration finalizes Kennedy’s proposals, both school lunches and WIC benefits may once again include whole and 2 percent milk. Kennedy has pledged to complete an overhaul of the dietary guidelines by the end of the year.

“The attack on whole milk and cheese and yogurt has gone on for decades,” Kennedy said recently. “It’s time to elevate those products to where they belong in contributing to the health of our children.”