1% Milk vs. Skim Milk: What's the Difference?

The primary types of cow's milk are whole, 2-percent, 1-percent and skim. Skim and 1-percent milk contain less and fewer calories than whole and 2-percent — an advantage for the calorie-conscious but a drawback for children, who need higher-fat milk. But all varieties can be found fortified with vitamin A and D.

The percentages listed on the labels of milk let the consumer know how much fat is in the milk by weight.

• Low-fat or 1-percent milk contains only 1-percent milk fat.
• Skim milk — also referred to as fat-free or non-fat milk — contains less than 0.2 percent milk fat.

You'll consume less fat and fewer calories when choosing skim milk over 1-percent milk. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutrient Database, 1-percent milk contains 102 calories and 2 grams of fat per 8-ounce serving. In comparison, skim milk has 83 calories and 0.2 grams of fat for the same serving size, per the USDA.

You aren't undermining your intake of essential nutrients when drinking skim milk instead of 1-percent. Non-fat milk contains 299 milligrams of calcium, 8 grams of protein and 382 milligrams of potassium, according to the USDA. Similarly, 1-percent milk has 305 milligrams of calcium, 8 grams of protein and 366 milligrams of potassium.

Although 1-percent milk has a slightly higher fat content, you won't be consuming a large amount of extra sugar with each serving. The total carbohydrates for low-fat milk is 12.18 grams and total sugars are 12.7 grams, notes the USDA. And skim milk has 12.5 grams of carbohydrates and 12.5 grams of sugars.