Why do most people drink milk with their meals?

Question

Just wondering. It seems like I'm one of very few who didn't grow up drinking milk with every meal. It was always more of a stand-alone drink or something for breakfast or with desert. I think it's really nasty to drink milk (any kind of milk - soy, rice, cow's, whatever) with most lunch/dinner foods but I know a lot of people wash down chili dogs, pizza, sandwiches and the like with a big glass of milk. I don't get the milkshake with a hamburger thing either - gross. Milk is why I always brought my lunch to school - can't they give the kids a glass of freaking water? Can someone please explain the tradition of milk with every meal?

I'm thinking this is an american thing. Maybe I will ask again when more americans are online.

Answer 1

I'm American and I'm the poster child for "Milk goes with everything". I save my plastic 12 oz pop bottles and fill one with milk to take for lunch everyday. I go to restaurants and order milk with my meals. I go through almost 3 gallons of milk a week, and that doesn't count what the kids drink.
For me, it's not so much a tradition as it is a taste preference. Personally, I don't understand having wine with a meal. I don't think it makes any difference as long as the drinker is happy with what they are washing their food down with.

Answer 2

Milk is served from age 1 thru childhood preferably than juices and soda. In the school system milk is given at breakfast, snacks, and lunch. It is a good source of vitamins and calcium for growing children. I am quite sure the children drink water at other times during the day. My son is 16 and I buy a gallon a week for him. He does not have it with meals, he mostly has it with desserts or a bowl of cereal in the evening as a snack.

Answer 3

It is not an american thing, I'm German and I do it.

I like milk, I think the taste goes well with hot and spicy foods as well as sweet stuff. I grew up getting served milk for breakfast and got used to it, so I tend to drink milk to almost any kind of sandwich.

With chili dogs the milk washes away the strong aftertaste these foods leave in your mouth. Milk can also reduce or even remove the smell of garlic or onions if you had only a small amount.

Answer 4

Why would I drink milk with every meal? Some might not even blend in! I drink water with some meals, or juice. I only sometimes drink milk at night after I have eaten. Milk is healthy, good for your bones and can make you fat.

Answer 5

Drinking milk at every meal is to ensure that the child is getting enough calcium and vitamin d in their diets. We had to drink milk in school, if you were lactose intolerant, you could get orange juice.
Personally, I don't drink milk.............( soy milk but not cows milk) and I certainly don't drink it at meals!
I could never understand why they would make you drink it when they had Pizza or spaghetti, as it could curdle in your stomach.
Hope this helps.

Answer 6

I'm American and don't drink milk with my meals. Not one of my friends orders it with a meal when we eat in a restaurant together. My husband drinks milk with his meals though, usually. He drinks it because he likes it. I'm not so crazy about it.

Answer 7

I've never known anyone who drank milk with their meal. I think this is strictly an American thing.

Answer 8

Ok,don't quote me on this, but I think it started on farms, where milk was plentiful and other sources of protein might not be.
As for myself, I'm with you-I prefer water. But I do like soy milk with cereal.

Answer 9

i'm like you and don't drink milk with my meals. im as confused about it as you are.

Answer 10

I drink water and buttermilk after meal.