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Whole Milk vs Skimmed Milk: Calories Compared
Skimmed Milk is lower in calories (34 vs 61 per 100g). Whole Milk has 3.1g protein per 100g versus 3.4g in Skimmed Milk.
Per typical serving, Whole Milk provides 149 kcal (based on a 244g portion) versus Skimmed Milk at 83 kcal (245g). The average adult needs around 2,000 calories per day, so whole milk contributes 7.4% and skimmed milk contributes 4.2% of that daily target per serving. Getting these numbers right for your own portions starts with a digital kitchen scale.
Full nutrition comparison (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Whole Milk | Skimmed Milk |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 61 kcal | 34 kcal |
| Protein | 3.1g | 3.4g |
| Carbohydrates | 4.8g | 5g |
| of which Sugars | 5g | 5.1g |
| Fat | 3.2g | 0.1g |
| of which Saturates | 1.9g | 0.1g |
| Fibre | 0g | 0g |
| Sodium | 43mg | 42mg |
| Potassium | 132mg | 156mg |
| Calcium | 113mg | 122mg |
| Iron | 0mg | 0mg |
| Vitamin C | 0mg | 0mg |
| Vitamin A | 46µg | 61µg |
| Selenium | 4µg | 3µg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.2mg | 0.2mg |
Nutrient-by-nutrient breakdown
- Calories: Whole Milk has more (61kcal vs 34kcal per 100g) — a difference of 27kcal. Skimmed Milk is the lower-calories option if that is your priority.
- Protein: Skimmed Milk has more (3.4g vs 3.1g per 100g) — a difference of 0.3g. Skimmed Milk is the stronger source of protein here.
- Carbohydrates: Skimmed Milk has more (5g vs 4.8g per 100g) — a difference of 0.2g.
- Sugars: Skimmed Milk has more (5.1g vs 5g per 100g) — a difference of 0.1g. Whole Milk is the lower-sugars option if that is your priority.
- Fat: Whole Milk has more (3.2g vs 0.1g per 100g) — a difference of 3.1g. Skimmed Milk is the lower-fat option if that is your priority.
- Saturated fat: Whole Milk has more (1.9g vs 0.1g per 100g) — a difference of 1.8g. Skimmed Milk is the lower-saturated fat option if that is your priority.
- Fibre: both foods contain the same amount (0g per 100g).
- Sodium: Whole Milk has more (43mg vs 42mg per 100g) — a difference of 1mg. Skimmed Milk is the lower-sodium option if that is your priority.
- Potassium: Skimmed Milk has more (156mg vs 132mg per 100g) — a difference of 24mg. Skimmed Milk is the stronger source of potassium here.
- Calcium: Skimmed Milk has more (122mg vs 113mg per 100g) — a difference of 9mg. Skimmed Milk is the stronger source of calcium here.
- Iron: both foods contain the same amount (0mg per 100g).
- Vitamin c: both foods contain the same amount (0mg per 100g).
- Vitamin a: Skimmed Milk has more (61µg vs 46µg per 100g) — a difference of 15µg. Skimmed Milk is the stronger source of vitamin A here.
- Selenium: Whole Milk has more (4µg vs 3µg per 100g) — a difference of 1µg. Whole Milk is the stronger source of selenium here.
- Riboflavin (b2): both foods contain the same amount (0mg per 100g).
Live serving-size calculator
Enter any amount for each food — every figure below recalculates instantly, with % of daily value shown for each nutrient (based on a standard 2,000-calorie reference diet).
| Nutrient | Whole Milk | % DV | Skimmed Milk | % DV |
|---|
* % Daily Value based on a 2,000-calorie reference diet, the same basis used on nutrition labels in the US and UK. Figures update live as you change the amounts above — no page reload.
Substituting one for the other
In baking and cooking, dairy substitutions usually work best when fat content is similar — swapping a higher-fat dairy product for a lower-fat one can affect texture, moisture and how a recipe sets, even when the flavour is close.
Useful for comparing these foods
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Which should you choose?
If your priority is fewer calories, Skimmed Milk is the lower-calorie option at 34 kcal per 100g. If you need more protein, Skimmed Milk provides more at 3.4g per 100g. For lower carbohydrates, Whole Milk has fewer carbs at 4.8g per 100g.
Both whole milk and skimmed milk can form part of a healthy, balanced diet. The best choice depends on your individual goals — whether that is weight management, muscle building, or simply hitting your daily nutritional targets. A meal prep container set makes it easy to portion whichever you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has more calories, Whole Milk or Skimmed Milk?
Whole Milk has 61 calories per 100g while Skimmed Milk has 34 calories per 100g. Whole Milk is higher in calories by 27 kcal per 100g.
Which has more protein, Whole Milk or Skimmed Milk?
Whole Milk contains 3.1g of protein per 100g. Skimmed Milk contains 3.4g of protein per 100g. Skimmed Milk has more protein.
Is Whole Milk healthier than Skimmed Milk?
Whole Milk has 61 kcal, 3.1g protein, 4.8g carbs and 3.2g fat per 100g. Skimmed Milk has 34 kcal, 3.4g protein, 5g carbs and 0.1g fat per 100g. Which is healthier depends on your goals — higher protein, lower calorie and lower fat foods are generally preferred for weight management.
Which has more fibre, Whole Milk or Skimmed Milk?
Whole Milk contains 0g of fibre per 100g, and Skimmed Milk contains 0g per 100g. Whole Milk has more fibre. Fibre supports digestion and helps with feeling fuller for longer.
How many calories per serving — Whole Milk vs Skimmed Milk?
A typical 1 glass of whole milk (244g) is around 149 calories. A typical 1 glass of skimmed milk (245g) is around 83 calories — a difference of 66 kcal per serving in favour of skimmed milk.
Can I substitute Whole Milk for Skimmed Milk in recipes?
In baking and cooking, dairy substitutions usually work best when fat content is similar — swapping a higher-fat dairy product for a lower-fat one can affect texture, moisture and how a recipe sets, even when the flavour is close.
Track both accurately
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Figures per 100g from the USDA FoodData Central database (CC0 1.0).