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Whole milk vs Skim milk: calories and macros compared

Per 100 g, Whole milk has 61 calories and 3.2 g of protein, while Skim milk has 34 calories and 3.4 g. Skim milk is the lighter choice, 27 kcal fewer per 100 g. Skim milk carries more protein, 0.2 g more per 100 g.

Side by side, per 100 g

Per 100 gWhole milkSkim milk
Calories61 kcal34 kcal
Protein3.2 g3.4 g
Carbs4.8 g5 g
Fat3.3 g0.1 g
Fiber0 g0 g

The verdict

Skim milk wins on both: fewer calories and more protein per 100 g.

A note on the numbers

Both columns are USDA FoodData Central numbers — the same sourced data Joules logs from, rather than the crowd-sourced entries that make many trackers disagree with each other.

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Frequently asked questions

Which has fewer calories, Whole milk or Skim milk?

Per 100 g, Whole milk has 61 calories and Skim milk has 34. Skim milk is lower by 27 kcal. Compare per 100 g first, then scale to your actual portion.

Which has more protein, Whole milk or Skim milk?

Per 100 g, Whole milk has 3.2 g of protein and Skim milk has 3.4 g. Skim milk has 0.2 g more.

Is Whole milk or Skim milk better for weight loss?

Neither is off-limits. Fewer calories per 100 g gives you more room in a deficit, but portion size and the rest of your day matter more than the swap itself. Log whichever you actually eat and watch your daily total.

Where do these numbers come from?

Both foods come from USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy): FDC ID 171265 for Whole milk and 171269 for Skim milk, taken per 100 g so the comparison is like-for-like.

Full nutrition for each

Snap a photo of Whole milk or Skim milk in Joules and the calories and macros are logged for you — from the same USDA data.

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A note on accuracy: calculators like this one provide estimates based on population-level formulas — your real needs vary with genetics, muscle mass, medical conditions, and more. Results are for information only and are not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a prescription. Talk to a doctor or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or exercise, especially if you have a health condition, are pregnant, or are under 18.

Nutrition data: USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 171265 · FDC ID 171269 (SR Legacy), per 100 g. Both entries are compared on the same basis.