Buttermilk vs. Skim Milk

Nutrition comparison of Buttermilk and Skim Milk


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

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

For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in buttermilk and skim milk:

  • Both skim milk and buttermilk are high in calcium.
  • Skim milk has 32.9 times less saturated fat than buttermilk.
Detailed nutritional comparison of buttermilk and skim milk 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 Skim Milk (Milk, nonfat, fluid, with added vitamin A and vitamin D (fat free or skim)) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.


Image of Buttermilk src
Image of Skim Milk src

Calories and Carbs

calories

Skim milk has 45% less calories than buttermilk - skim milk has 34 calories per 100 grams and buttermilk has 62 calories.

For macronutrient ratios, buttermilk is lighter in protein, much lighter in carbs and much heavier in fat compared to skim milk per calorie. Buttermilk has a macronutrient ratio of 21:32:48 and for skim milk, 39:58:3 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.

Macro Ratios from Calories:

Buttermilk Skim Milk
Protein 21% 39%
Carbohydrates 32% 58%
Fat 48% 3%
Alcohol ~ ~

carbohydrates

Both skim milk and buttermilk are low in carbohydrates - skim milk has 5g of total carbs per 100 grams and buttermilk has 4.9g of carbohydrates.

The carbs in skim milk and buttermilk are both made of 100% sugar.

sugar

Skim milk and buttermilk contain similar amounts of sugar - skim milk has 5.1g of sugar per 100 grams and buttermilk has 4.9g of sugar.

Protein

protein

Skim milk and buttermilk contain similar amounts of protein - skim milk has 3.4g of protein per 100 grams and buttermilk has 3.2g of protein.

Fat

saturated fat

Skim milk has 32.9 times less saturated fat than buttermilk - skim milk has 0.06g of saturated fat per 100 grams and buttermilk has 1.9g of saturated fat.

cholesterol

Skim milk and buttermilk contain similar amounts of cholesterol - skim milk has 2mg of cholesterol per 100 grams and buttermilk has 11mg of cholesterol.

Vitamins

Vitamin A

Skim milk and buttermilk contain similar amounts of Vitamin A - skim milk has 61ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and buttermilk has 47ug of Vitamin A.

Vitamin D

Skim milk and buttermilk contain similar amounts of Vitamin D - skim milk has 47iu of Vitamin D per 100 grams and buttermilk has 52iu of Vitamin D.

Vitamin E

Skim milk and buttermilk contain similar amounts of Vitamin E - skim milk has 0.01mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and buttermilk has 0.07mg of Vitamin E.

Vitamin K

Buttermilk and skim milk contain similar amounts of Vitamin K - buttermilk has 0.3ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and skim milk does not contain significant amounts.

The B Vitamins

Both buttermilk and skim milk contain significant amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, Vitamin B6, folate and Vitamin B12.

Buttermilk Skim Milk
Thiamin 0.047 MG 0.045 MG
Riboflavin 0.172 MG 0.182 MG
Niacin 0.09 MG 0.094 MG
Pantothenic acid 0.38 MG 0.357 MG
Vitamin B6 0.036 MG 0.037 MG
Folate 5 UG 5 UG
Vitamin B12 0.46 UG 0.5 UG

Minerals

calcium

Both skim milk and buttermilk are high in calcium. Skim milk has a little more calcium (6%) than buttermilk by weight - skim milk has 122mg of calcium per 100 grams and buttermilk has 115mg of calcium.

iron

Skim milk and buttermilk contain similar amounts of iron - skim milk has 0.03mg of iron per 100 grams and buttermilk has 0.03mg of iron.

potassium

Skim milk and buttermilk contain similar amounts of potassium - skim milk has 156mg of potassium per 100 grams and buttermilk has 135mg of potassium.

Omega-3 and Omega-6

omega 3s

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

Buttermilk Skim Milk
alpha linoleic acid 0.076 G 0.001 G
Total 0.076 G 0.001 G

omega 6s

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

Buttermilk Skim Milk
linoleic acid 0.122 G 0.002 G
Total 0.122 G 0.002 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 Skim Milk .

Note: The specific food items compared are: Buttermilk (Milk, buttermilk, fluid, whole) and Skim Milk (Milk, nonfat, fluid, with added vitamin A and vitamin D (fat free or skim)) .

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G Water G
G Starch G
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FAQ

Does skim milk or buttermilk contain more calories in 100 grams?
Skim milk has 50% less calories than buttermilk - skim milk has 34 calories in 100g and buttermilk has 62 calories.

Is skim milk or buttermilk better for protein?
Skim milk and buttermilk contain similar amounts of protein - skim milk has 3.4g of protein per 100 grams and buttermilk has 3.2g of protein.

Does skim milk or buttermilk have more carbohydrates?
By weight, both skim milk and buttermilk are low in carbohydrates - skim milk has 5g of carbs for 100g and buttermilk has 4.9g of carbohydrates. the carbs in skim milk and buttermilk are both made of 100% sugar.

Does skim milk or buttermilk contain more calcium?
Both skim milk and buttermilk are high in calcium. Skim milk has a little more calcium ( 10%) than buttermilk by weight - skim milk has 122mg of calcium in 100 grams and buttermilk has 115mg of calcium.

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