Does skim milk provide the same vitamins and minerals as whole milk?
- Jayne

Yes, skim milk has the same nutritional value as whole milk — with less fat. Since the fat portion of whole milk does not contain calcium, when you take out the fat, you do not lose calcium. When you drink an equal amount of skim milk and whole milk, the skim milk provides more calcium than the whole milk does. And some brands of skim milk supplement with extra nutrients as well.

Skim, 1%, or 2% milk is recommended for kids after 2 years of age. These often have added vitamin A and vitamin D, since these can be lost when the fat is removed.

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: March 2010

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