Summary
After serving size correction,fresh milk isricher in vitamins B2, B12, D, and A. In addition, it is richer in calcium and phosphorus. In comparison, powdered milk ishigher in calories, fats, and sodium but richer in magnesium. Powdered milk has a longer shelf life.
Table of contents
- Introduction
- General Differences
- Nutritonal Content Comparison
- Macronutrients and Calories
- Calories
- Protein
- Fats
- Carbohydrates
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Health Impact
- Cardiovascular Health
- Bone Health
- References
Introduction
In this article, we will be comparing regular milk with powdered milk. Milk in this article isfresh liquid milk, and powdered milk is powdered milkwithout adding water.
Please note that the nutritional comparison and infographics in this article will falsely tend more towards powdered milk since it contains more nutrients in dehydrated form, while most of the weight of fresh milk comes from water.
However,we will compare them based on the logic of consumptionregarding their nutritional content and health impacts to understand if they are different.
General Differences
Shelf life is one of the most relevant differences in these milks.
Fresh milk has a shorter shelf life than powdered milk.
Another difference is taste; powdered milk has a creamier and stronger taste than fresh milk.
Nutritonal Content Comparison
Approximately32g of powdered milkis equivalent to 1 cup offresh milk, which is around 240 ml. This is a generalized estimate.
In this article, we are comparingwhole-fat powdered milk without added vitamin D to 1% fresh milk with added vitamins A and D. This also means that the macronutrient composition and the vitamin content will differ given that we are comparing fortified milk to a non-fortified one.
Macronutrients and Calories
Calories
Powdered milk contains more calories than fresh milk.
If we compare 32g of powdered milk to 240 ml of fresh milk, we still come to the point where powdered milk is higher in calories. This is due mainly to it being whole milk, which contains a higher amount of fat.
Protein
When comparing 32g of powdered milk to 240 ml of fresh milk,we can conclude that they have similar amounts of proteins.
Fats
Whole powdered milk contains more fats than 1% fresh milk when we correct for equivalency.
Carbohydrates
When corrected for equivalency, we conclude that both powdered milk and regular milk have similar amounts of carbs.
Vitamins
This article considers fortified milk with vitamins A and D for fresh milk, while it considers unfortified milk for powdered milk. This is why the fresh milk discussed in this article is richer in vitamins B2, B12, D, and A.
Below this article, you can find the visualization of the vitamin content. However, the content is given according to an equal amount of serving in grams without correcting for serving size; hence the infographics are misleading.
Minerals
More often, we find powdered milk that hasadded iron in them. It is essential to check those labels.
One of the main differences in minerals is sodium. Powdered milk contains more sodium than fresh milk, even after serving size adjustment.
For the rest of the minerals, after adjustment for serving size,fresh milk is richer in phosphorus and calcium. In contrast, powdered milk is richer in magnesium.
Below this article, you can find the visualization of the mineral content. However, again, the content is given according to an equal amount of serving in grams without correcting for serving size; hence the infographics are misleading.
Health Impact
Check this article to learn aboutpowdered milk and its health impacts.
During milk processing, heat dehydrates the milk for it to become powder. Considering this, we lose some nutrients during the dehydration process. An example of that is vitamin B12.
Based on this, fresh milk can have a higher nutrient content than powdered milk. However,most powdered milk is fortified with vitamins and minerals to compensate for that loss and add extra nutrients.
Cardiovascular Health
Powdered milk fortified withpotassium and phytosterolsis acost-effective source of nutrients that positively affects cardiovascular health. Reassuring that people are getting an adequate amount of these nutrients in their diet.
Similarly, this study was made on another sample who had hypertension (1, 2).
Powdered milk fortified with potassium and phytosterolshas an advantage over fresh milk regarding this. However, simply choosing fortified fresh milk will have the same effect.
Bone Health
Both powdered milk and fresh milk positively affect bone health in children; however, we also need to considervitamin D and magnesium in association with calcium intake for proper bone mineralization.
The difference comes from the accessibility of milk, as in some countries, powdered milk is cheaper and more accessible with added vitamins and minerals (3, 4).
References
Author name: Jack Yacoubian
Education: Haigazian Medical University
Last updated: July 27, 2023
Medically reviewed by Astghik Baghinyan
Infographic
Infographic link
Mineral Comparison
Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
| Contains lessSodiumSodium | -88.1% |
| ContainsmoreMagnesiumMagnesium | +672.7% |
| ContainsmoreCalciumCalcium | +629.6% |
| ContainsmorePotassiumPotassium | +786.7% |
| ContainsmoreIronIron | +1466.7% |
| ContainsmoreCopperCopper | +700% |
| ContainsmoreZincZinc | +695.2% |
| ContainsmorePhosphorusPhosphorus | +716.8% |
| ContainsmoreManganeseManganese | +1233.3% |
| ContainsmoreSeleniumSelenium | +393.9% |
Vitamin Comparison
Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Milk
1
Powdered milk
12
| Contains moreVitamin DVitamin D | +140% |
| ContainsmoreVitamin CVitamin C | +∞% |
| ContainsmoreVitamin AVitamin A | +376.5% |
| ContainsmoreVitamin EVitamin E | +5700% |
| ContainsmoreVitamin B1Vitamin B1 | +1315% |
| ContainsmoreVitamin B2Vitamin B2 | +551.4% |
| ContainsmoreVitamin B3Vitamin B3 | +594.6% |
| ContainsmoreVitamin B5Vitamin B5 | +529.1% |
| ContainsmoreVitamin B6Vitamin B6 | +716.2% |
| ContainsmoreVitamin B12Vitamin B12 | +591.5% |
| ContainsmoreVitamin KVitamin K | +2100% |
| ContainsmoreFolateFolate | +640% |
| ContainsmoreCholineCholine | +563.3% |
Macronutrient Comparison
Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
Milk
1
Protein:3.37 g
Fats:0.97 g
Carbs:4.99 g
Water:89.92 g
Other:0.75 g
Powdered milk
4
Protein:26.32 g
Fats:26.71 g
Carbs:38.42 g
Water:2.47 g
Other:6.08 g
| Contains moreWaterWater | +3540.5% |
| ContainsmoreProteinProtein | +681% |
| ContainsmoreFatsFats | +2653.6% |
| ContainsmoreCarbsCarbs | +669.9% |
| ContainsmoreOtherOther | +710.7% |
Fat Type Comparison
Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Milk
1
Saturated Fat:Sat. Fat0.633 g
Monounsaturated Fat:Mono. Fat0.277 g
Polyunsaturated fat:Poly. Fat0.035 g
Powdered milk
2
Saturated Fat:Sat. Fat16.742 g
Monounsaturated Fat:Mono. Fat7.924 g
Polyunsaturated fat:Poly. Fat0.665 g
| Contains lessSat. FatSaturated Fat | -96.2% |
| ContainsmoreMono. FatMonounsaturated Fat | +2760.6% |
| ContainsmorePoly. FatPolyunsaturated fat | +1800% |
Comparison summary table
Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
| | ||
| Rich in minerals |  | ||
| Rich in vitamins | | ||
| Lower in Cholesterol | | ||
| Lower in Sugar | | ||
| Lower in Sodium | | ||
| Lower in Saturated Fat | | ||
| Lower in Glycemic Index | | ||
| Lower in price | |
All nutrients comparison - raw data values
| Nutrient | | | Opinion |
| Calories | 42kcal | 496kcal | |
| Protein | 3.37g | 26.32g | |
| Fats | 0.97g | 26.71g | |
| Vitamin C | 0mg | 8.6mg | |
| Net carbs | 4.99g | 38.42g | |
| Carbs | 4.99g | 38.42g | |
| Cholesterol | 5mg | 97mg | |
| Vitamin D | 48IU | 20IU | |
| Magnesium | 11mg | 85mg | |
| Calcium | 125mg | 912mg | |
| Potassium | 150mg | 1330mg | |
| Iron | 0.03mg | 0.47mg | |
| Sugar | 5.2g | 38.42g | |
| Copper | 0.01mg | 0.08mg | |
| Zinc | 0.42mg | 3.34mg | |
| Phosphorus | 95mg | 776mg | |
| Sodium | 44mg | 371mg | |
| Vitamin A | 196IU | 934IU | |
| Vitamin A | 58µg | 258µg | |
| Vitamin E | 0.01mg | 0.58mg | |
| Vitamin D | 1.2µg | 0.5µg | |
| Manganese | 0.003mg | 0.04mg | |
| Selenium | 3.3µg | 16.3µg | |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.02mg | 0.283mg | |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.185mg | 1.205mg | |
| Vitamin B3 | 0.093mg | 0.646mg | |
| Vitamin B5 | 0.361mg | 2.271mg | |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.037mg | 0.302mg | |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.47µg | 3.25µg | |
| Vitamin K | 0.1µg | 2.2µg | |
| Folate | 5µg | 37µg | |
| Choline | 17.7mg | 117.4mg | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.633g | 16.742g | |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.277g | 7.924g | |
| Polyunsaturated fat | 0.035g | 0.665g | |
| Tryptophan | 0.043mg | 0.371mg | |
| Threonine | 0.143mg | 1.188mg | |
| Isoleucine | 0.174mg | 1.592mg | |
| Leucine | 0.319mg | 2.578mg | |
| Lysine | 0.282mg | 2.087mg | |
| Methionine | 0.088mg | 0.66mg | |
| Phenylalanine | 0.174mg | 1.271mg | |
| Valine | 0.22mg | 1.762mg | |
| Histidine | 0.101mg | 0.714mg | |
| Omega-3 - ALA | 0.004g | | |
| Omega-6 - Linoleic acid | 0.027g | |
Which food is preferable for your diet?
is better in case of low diet
| | |
| Low Calories diet | | |
| Low Fats diet | | |
| Low Carbs diet | | |
| Low Glycemic Index diet | |
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Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).
Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
15%
91%
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
14%
106%
Comparison summary
Which food is richer in minerals?
Powdered milk is relatively richer in minerals
Which food is richer in vitamins?
Powdered milk is relatively richer in vitamins
Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
Milk is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 92mg)
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Milk is lower in Sugar (difference - 33.22g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Milk contains less Sodium (difference - 327mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
Milk is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 16.109g)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Milk is lower in glycemic index (difference - 1)
Which food is cheaper?
Milk is cheaper (difference - $1.6)
