Buttermilk vs. Whipping Cream

Nutrition comparison of Buttermilk and Whipping Cream


Ever wonder how your favorite foods stack up against each other in terms of nutrition?

We compared the nutritional contents of buttermilk versus whipping cream (100g each) below using 2020 USDA and NIH data[1].

For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in buttermilk and whipping cream:

  • Both whipping cream and buttermilk are high in calcium.
  • Buttermilk has 5.9 times less cholesterol than whipping cream.
  • Buttermilk has 61% less carbohydrates than whipping cream.
  • Buttermilk has more riboflavin.
  • Whipping cream is an excellent source of Vitamin A.
Detailed nutritional comparison of buttermilk and whipping cream is analyzed below. You can also visualize the nutritional comparison for a custom portion or serving size and see how the nutrition compares.

USDA sources for nutritional information: Buttermilk (Milk, buttermilk, fluid, whole) and Whipping Cream (Cream, whipped, cream topping, pressurized) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.


Image of Buttermilk src
Image of Whipping Cream src

Calories and Carbs

calories

Whipping cream is high in calories and buttermilk has 76% less calories than whipping cream - whipping cream has 257 calories per 100 grams and buttermilk has 62 calories.

For macronutrient ratios, buttermilk is heavier in protein, heavier in carbs and much lighter in fat compared to whipping cream per calorie. Buttermilk has a macronutrient ratio of 21:32:48 and for whipping cream, 5:19:76 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.

Macro Ratios from Calories:

Buttermilk Whipping Cream
Protein 21% 5%
Carbohydrates 32% 19%
Fat 48% 76%
Alcohol ~ ~

carbohydrates

Buttermilk has 61% less carbohydrates than whipping cream - whipping cream has 12.5g of total carbs per 100 grams and buttermilk has 4.9g of carbohydrates.

sugar

Whipping cream and buttermilk contain similar amounts of sugar - whipping cream has 8g of sugar per 100 grams and buttermilk has 4.9g of sugar.

Protein

protein

Whipping cream and buttermilk contain similar amounts of protein - whipping cream has 3.2g of protein per 100 grams and buttermilk has 3.2g of protein.

Fat

saturated fat

Whipping cream is high in saturated fat and buttermilk has 86% less saturated fat than whipping cream - whipping cream has 13.8g of saturated fat per 100 grams and buttermilk has 1.9g of saturated fat.

cholesterol

Buttermilk has 5.9 times less cholesterol than whipping cream - whipping cream has 76mg of cholesterol per 100 grams and buttermilk has 11mg of cholesterol.

Vitamins

Vitamin A

Whipping cream is an excellent source of Vitamin A and it has 300% more Vitamin A than buttermilk - whipping cream has 188ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and buttermilk has 47ug of Vitamin A.

Vitamin D

Buttermilk has 225% more Vitamin D than whipping cream - whipping cream has 16iu of Vitamin D per 100 grams and buttermilk has 52iu of Vitamin D.

Vitamin E

Whipping cream and buttermilk contain similar amounts of Vitamin E - whipping cream has 0.64mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and buttermilk has 0.07mg of Vitamin E.

Vitamin K

Whipping cream and buttermilk contain similar amounts of Vitamin K - whipping cream has 1.9ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and buttermilk has 0.3ug of Vitamin K.

The B Vitamins

Buttermilk has more riboflavin. Both buttermilk and whipping cream contain significant amounts of thiamin, niacin, pantothenic acid, Vitamin B6, folate and Vitamin B12.

Buttermilk Whipping Cream
Thiamin 0.047 MG 0.037 MG
Riboflavin 0.172 MG 0.065 MG
Niacin 0.09 MG 0.07 MG
Pantothenic acid 0.38 MG 0.305 MG
Vitamin B6 0.036 MG 0.041 MG
Folate 5 UG 3 UG
Vitamin B12 0.46 UG 0.29 UG

Minerals

calcium

Both whipping cream and buttermilk are high in calcium. Buttermilk has 14% more calcium than whipping cream - whipping cream has 101mg of calcium per 100 grams and buttermilk has 115mg of calcium.

iron

Whipping cream and buttermilk contain similar amounts of iron - whipping cream has 0.05mg of iron per 100 grams and buttermilk has 0.03mg of iron.

potassium

Whipping cream and buttermilk contain similar amounts of potassium - whipping cream has 147mg of potassium per 100 grams and buttermilk has 135mg of potassium.

Antioxidants and Phytonutrients

carotenoids

Carotenoids are micronutrients commonly found in plants and some animal products. An example is beta-carotene, the notable carotenoid which is a popular source of Vitamin A.[4][5]

For specific types of carotenoids,

Buttermilk Whipping Cream
beta-carotene 7 UG 43 UG

Omega-3 and Omega-6

omega 3s

For omega-3 fatty acids, whipping cream has more alpha linoleic acid (ALA) than buttermilk per 100 grams.

Buttermilk Whipping Cream
alpha linoleic acid 0.076 G 0.323 G
Total 0.076 G 0.323 G

omega 6s

Comparing omega-6 fatty acids, whipping cream has more linoleic acid than buttermilk per 100 grams.

Buttermilk Whipping Cream
linoleic acid 0.122 G 0.502 G
Total 0.122 G 0.502 G



Customize your serving size


The comparison below is by weight, but sometimes 100g isn't that intuitive of a measurement for food. View a custom portion comparison (e.g. cups, oz, package).

You can try adding or subtracting the amount of either Buttermilk or Whipping Cream .

Note: The specific food items compared are: Buttermilk (Milk, buttermilk, fluid, whole) and Whipping Cream (Cream, whipped, cream topping, pressurized) .

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FAQ

Does whipping cream or buttermilk contain more calories in 100 grams?
Whipping cream is high in calories and buttermilk has 80% less calories than whipping cream - whipping cream has 257 calories in 100g and buttermilk has 62 calories.

Does whipping cream or buttermilk have more carbohydrates?
By weight, buttermilk has 60% fewer carbohydrates than whipping cream - whipping cream has 12.5g of carbs for 100g and buttermilk has 4.9g of carbohydrates.

Does whipping cream or buttermilk contain more calcium?
Both whipping cream and buttermilk are high in calcium. Buttermilk has 10% more calcium than whipping cream - whipping cream has 101mg of calcium in 100 grams and buttermilk has 115mg of calcium.