I follow SS, but i do have a little skimmed milk in my drinks, my CDC said this would be ok (she had milk in drinks when she did SS) and it doesn't seem to have affected my weight loss - I've lost over 3 stone in 10 weeks. I just can't bear black coffee, so a drop of milk makes all the difference. I'd say i have about 3 cups a day, and i really do only have a little milk. Maybe try it and see if it works for you.