Cow Cow's milk provides calcium, protein, and fat to fulfill our nutritional demands. Due to its high fat content, many people limit their cow's milk consumption. Skim milk is lower in fat than whole milk. Is it true that skim milk is healthier?
What is skim milk?
Cow's milk is a healthful, widely available drink. Labels for processed cow's milk frequently indicate a high fat content. The available varieties of cow's milk on the market include:
- Whole milk is commonly identified as full-fat milk or milk fortified with vitamin D. This milk undergoes a processing method where no fat is extracted
- Low-fat milk is typically labeled as such on the packaging, either explicitly stating "low fat" or indicating the specific amount of fat present in the milk. A portion of the milk's fat content has been extracted, although it retains the creamy texture and flavor characteristic of whole milk
- Skim milk is often known as nonfat milk. This milk variant is processed to eliminate milk fat, resulting in a fat-free product with a thinner texture
Read more: The Nutrition Of Almond Milk (Almond Milk) And The Risk Of Consumption
Facts About Skim Milk and Whole Milk Nutrition
There are a lot of nutritional variations between whole milk and skim milk, besides the fat that has been eliminated. The nutrient breakdown of 246 grams of whole milk vs. skim milk is as follows:
Pure milk | Skim milk | |
Calorie | 152 | 83.6 |
Protein | 8.14 g | 8.44 g |
Fat | 7.97 g | 0.19 g |
Carbohydrates | 11.5 g | 12.1 g |
Saturated fat | 4.63 g | 0.12 g |
Calcium | 306 mg | 325 mg |
Vitamin D | 2.39 mcg | 2.71 mcg |
Vitamin A | 79.7 mcg | 157 mcg |
Iodine | 94.4 mcg | 87.8 mcg |
Table 1. Whole Milk Nutrition Content And Skim Milk
This table shows that whole and skim milk have similar nutritional content besides calories and fat. Milk fat helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins A, E, and D. Manufacturers frequently add vitamins A and D to skim milk so that you can achieve your vitamin A and D requirements even without adding fat.
Read more: Recommendations For Vegetable Milk As A Substitute For Cow Milk
Skim milk or whole milk: which is the better choice?
Due to its high fat content, many individuals hesitate to drink whole milk. Manufacturers produce fat-free skim milk in response to these needs. The lack of saturated fat and excess calories in low-fat milk makes it a healthier choice.
Consuming whole milk regularly could lead to an increase in saturated fat intake due to its high fat content. The risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease, is significantly increased by consuming foods that are high in saturated fat.
Skim milk is a healthy alternative for people who want to eliminate unsaturated fats in their diet. You should, however, limit your intake of skim milk, despite its lower fat level. Restrict yourself to no more than three cups of skim milk daily. Overconsumption of skim milk raises the risk of irritated bowels and diarrhea.
People with high cholesterol, a dietary restriction, or both might consider skim milk to be a suitable alternative. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
Looking for more information about nutrition, food, and other diet tips? Click here!
- dr Nadia Opmalina
WebMD Editorial Contributors. (2023). Available from: https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-to-know-about-skim-milk
Shatzman, C. (2023). Is Whole Milk Better Than Low Fat and Skim Milk?. Available from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/whole-vs-skim-milk
Kids Health. Does Nonfat Milk Provide the Same Nutrients as Whole Milk?. Available from: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/skinny-skim-milk.html
Richards, L. (2021). Which type of cow's milk is the healthiest?. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/whole-vs-skim-milk