What are the nutritional differences between Nonfat Milk and whole milk?
Nonfat milk has almost no fat, so it has fewer calories than whole milk but similar protein and calcium. The NHS says much of the fat in whole milk is saturated, and that switching to skimmed or 1 percent milk cuts fat while keeping milk's key nutrients. For children under 5, though, the NHS says skimmed and 1 percent milk should not be a main drink.
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In this article
What is the difference between nonfat and whole milk?
The difference is fat. Whole milk keeps its natural milk fat. Nonfat (skim or skimmed) milk has nearly all of it removed. Because fat carries calories, nonfat milk has fewer. Exact numbers differ by country and brand, so read the nutrition label rather than rely on a single figure.
| Whole milk | Nonfat milk | |
|---|---|---|
| Fat | Higher; much of it saturated | Close to none |
| Calories | Higher | Lower |
| Protein and calcium | Present | Present, similar |
| Taste and texture | Creamier | Thinner |
What does the NHS say?
Milk provides protein and a range of vitamins and minerals, including calcium. The NHS says much of the fat in milk is saturated, that saturated fat can raise blood cholesterol, and that lower-fat milks are generally the healthier choice for older children and adults. Switching to 1 percent or skimmed milk cuts fat while keeping the key nutrients. The NHS page does not give figures for whole or semi-skimmed milk.
What about vitamins?
Vitamins A and D dissolve in fat. In some countries, such as the US, low-fat and nonfat milk is commonly fortified with vitamins A and D to replace what is removed; this is general knowledge, so check the label. We did not open a source giving exact amounts, so we do not state them.
Which is right for children?
The NHS says pasteurized whole or semi-skimmed cow milk can be a child’s main drink from age 1, and that skimmed and 1 percent milk should not be given as a drink to children under 5. They can be used in cooking for children over 12 months. Children aged 1 to 3 need around 350 mg of calcium a day, and about 300 ml of milk provides this.
How do you choose?
- Watching calories or saturated fat: nonfat or low-fat.
- Young children: follow the NHS age advice above.
- Cooking and coffee: whole milk gives a creamier result.
- Medical conditions: ask a doctor or dietitian.
People also ask
Does nonfat milk have the same calcium as whole milk?
Milk's key nutrients, including calcium, stay when fat is removed, according to the NHS. Check the label for exact amounts.
Can toddlers drink skim milk?
The NHS says not as a main drink for children under 5. It can be used in cooking for children over 12 months.
Why do adults choose lower-fat milk?
Much of milk fat is saturated, and the NHS says lower-fat milks are generally the healthier choice for older children and adults.
Sources
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