We've all seen them--those commercials claiming they know how to lose weight quick .  Promoters of milk were quick to jump into the fad diet industry following a study published in 2006, and a revival of such claims based on studies in 2010.

The Hype behind Milk Consumption

It is hard to ignore.  Famous entertainers, like the fabulously fit Sheryl Crow, promote the weight loss potential of milk.  They told us that all dieters needed to do was consume 24 ounces of milk every 24 hours and the pounds would fall off.

Some news stories circulated with claims that milk could increase fat loss by as much as 3-5 pounds when added to any diet efforts.  On the surface, this is a great tip about how to lose weight quick.

New research has a slightly different slant.  It still points to milk as the lynch pin of weight loss but differs in application.  Instead of a 24-hour consumption plan, milk is now being recommended as a recovery drink following exercise.

Proponents state boldly that drinking two glasses of milk within an hour post exercise tones muscles. These milk-toned muscles result in a net weight loss and a beach-ready body.

The Trap of Another Fad Diet

It sounds really great, unless you hate milk.  All dieters need to do is stock their fridge with milk and drink it liberally.

Wait, because it isn't really that simple.  Rarely does any ad campaign disclose all pertinent information. Even media coverage leaves huge gaps in the story.

• Did anyone stop to ask themselves what kind of milk got such glorious results?
• How much needs to be consumed to tone muscles?
• Does the fat content matter?
• What kind of exercise needs to precede the milk?
• What kind of diet were study participants following?
• Was there any kind of control on the study that could conclusively rule out any diet or lifestyle factor other than milk as the real key to success?
• Are there other studies that replicated these same results?

Of course, all of these factors bear sway when trying to lose weight.

The Real Deal about the Milk Diet

Without the hype, and from an unbiased milk lover, milk can be a part of a healthy diet.  To really know how to lose weight quick, more needs to be considered than one super silver bullet food for weight loss.

Other studies refute the weight loss claims, and cast a shadow on milk's snowy white reputation as a health food.  Many of the processing controls milk undergoes to reach consumer's cups reduce its nutrition value greatly.  Dairy practices of hormone, chemical and steroid use further damage this overall health benefit of this once great food.

In the end, knowing how to lose weight quick all comes down to knowing more about the way the body, metabolism, exercise and balanced nutrition from all food sources combine to decrease fat stores and increase lean muscle mass.  In the meantime, to get the best milk possible, enjoy a glass in its purest unpasteurized organic form.