Milk, buttermilk, fluid vs Milk

Side-by-side nutrition comparison per serving. See which fits your goals better.

The whole milk vs skim milk debate has been going back and forth for decades, and the pendulum has swung back toward whole milk in recent years. The numbers: whole milk sits at 62 calories with 3.31g fat per 100ml, while skim comes in at just 37 calories and a negligible 0.25g fat. Protein is virtually identical — skim actually edges ahead slightly at 3.57g vs 3.21g because removing the fat concentrates everything else.

Here's the nuance most people miss. If you drink a glass of milk with a meal, the calorie difference is roughly 60 calories per cup — meaningful if you're drinking multiple glasses daily, trivial if it's just a splash in coffee. Whole milk does keep you more satiated thanks to the fat content, which can prevent snacking later. But if you're using milk primarily in protein shakes or oatmeal where you're adding other fat sources anyway, skim saves you calories without any satiety tradeoff. Context matters more than the label.

Pro tip

If you can't stand the watery taste of skim but want to cut calories, try mixing half whole and half skim. You get 80% of the creaminess at roughly 50 cal per 100ml — a solid middle ground.

Quick Verdict

Best for weight loss

Milk

Best for muscle gain

Milk

Best for low-carb

Milk, buttermilk, fluid

Macro Comparison

Milk, buttermilk, fluid: 100g (100g)  |  Milk: 100g (100g)

CaloriesLower is better for weight loss

62

Milk, buttermilk, fluid

vs

37

Milk

ProteinHigher supports muscle growth

3.21g

Milk, buttermilk, fluid

vs

3.57g

Milk

CarbsLower for low-carb diets

4.88g

Milk, buttermilk, fluid

vs

5.02g

Milk

FatLower for calorie control

3.31g

Milk, buttermilk, fluid

vs

0.25g

Milk

Protein Efficiency

What percentage of calories come from protein — higher is better for staying lean.

21%

Milk, buttermilk, fluid

39%

Milk

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Per 100g Comparison

NutrientMilk, buttermilk, fluidMilk
Calories6237
Protein3.2g3.6g
Carbs4.9g5g
Fat3.3g0.3g
Fiber0g0g
Sugar4.88g5.02g
Sodium105mg53mg
Cholesterol11mg2mg
Saturated Fat1.9g0.16g
Potassium135mg171mg
Vitamin A47mcg64mcg
Vitamin C0mg1mg
Calcium115mg129mg
Iron0.03mg0.05mg

Which Should You Choose?

For weight loss

Choose Milk. With 37 calories and 3.57g protein, it gives you more protein per calorie — keeping you full while cutting calories.

For muscle gain

Choose Milk. Milk delivers 3.57g protein per serving — 0.4g more than Milk, buttermilk, fluid.

For low-carb diets

Choose Milk, buttermilk, fluid with 4.88g carbs per serving.

Liquid calories are the easiest ones to overlook because they don't feel like eating. Tracking your milk intake with Sunn for just one week often reveals 200-400 hidden calories that are simple to adjust.

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Common Questions

Is Milk, buttermilk, fluid or Milk better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Milk is the better choice. Milk, buttermilk, fluid has 62 calories and 3.21g protein per serving, while Milk has 37 calories and 3.57g protein. Lower calories with higher protein helps you stay full while eating fewer calories.

Which has more protein, Milk, buttermilk, fluid or Milk?

Milk has more protein per serving. Milk, buttermilk, fluid provides 3.21g and Milk provides 3.57g of protein.

Can I eat both milk, buttermilk, fluid and milk together?

Yes! Combining milk, buttermilk, fluid and milk gives you 99 calories and 6.779999999999999g protein. This combination can work well as part of a balanced meal.

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