Heavy Cream vs. Whole Milk

Nutrition comparison of Heavy Cream and Whole Milk

Ever wonder how your favorite foods stack up against each other in terms of nutrition?

We compared the nutritional contents of heavy cream versus whole milk (100g each) below using 2020 USDA and NIH data[1].

For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in heavy cream and whole milk:

  • Both heavy cream and whole milk are high in calcium.
  • For omega-3 fatty acids, heavy cream has more dpa than whole milk.
  • Heavy cream is an excellent source of Vitamin A.
  • Whole milk has 10.3 times less cholesterol than heavy cream.
  • Whole milk has more niacin and Vitamin B12.
Detailed nutritional comparison of heavy cream and whole milk is analyzed below. You can also visualize the nutritional comparison for a custom portion or serving size and see how the nutrition compares.

USDA sources for nutritional information: Heavy Cream (Cream, fluid, heavy whipping) and Whole Milk (Milk, whole, 3.25% milkfat, with added vitamin D) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.

Image of Heavy Cream src
Image of Whole Milk src
Here's an infographic summarizing the nutritional differences between heavy cream and whole milk. marks particularly rich nutrients.

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nutrition comparison of heavy cream vs. whole milk

Calories and Carbs

calories

Heavy cream is high in calories and whole milk has 82% less calories than heavy cream - heavy cream has 340 calories per 100 grams and whole milk has 61 calories.

For macronutrient ratios, heavy cream is lighter in protein, much lighter in carbs and much heavier in fat compared to whole milk per calorie. Heavy cream has a macronutrient ratio of 3:3:94 and for whole milk, 21:31:48 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.

Macro Ratios from Calories:

Heavy Cream Whole Milk
Protein 3% 21%
Carbohydrates 3% 31%
Fat 94% 48%
Alcohol ~ ~

carbohydrates

Both heavy cream and whole milk are low in carbohydrates - heavy cream has 2.8g of total carbs per 100 grams and whole milk has 4.8g of carbohydrates.

The carbs in heavy cream and whole milk are both made of 100% sugar.

sugar

Heavy cream and whole milk contain similar amounts of sugar - heavy cream has 2.9g of sugar per 100 grams and whole milk has 5.1g of sugar.

Protein

protein

Heavy cream and whole milk contain similar amounts of protein - heavy cream has 2.8g of protein per 100 grams and whole milk has 3.2g of protein.

Fat

saturated fat

Heavy cream is high in saturated fat and whole milk has 92% less saturated fat than heavy cream - heavy cream has 23g of saturated fat per 100 grams and whole milk has 1.9g of saturated fat.

trans fat

Whole milk has less trans fat than heavy cream - heavy cream has 1.2g of trans fat per 100 grams and whole milk does not contain significant amounts.

cholesterol

Whole milk has 10.3 times less cholesterol than heavy cream - heavy cream has 113mg of cholesterol per 100 grams and whole milk has 10mg of cholesterol.

Vitamins

Vitamin C

Heavy cream and whole milk contain similar amounts of Vitamin C - heavy cream has 0.6mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams and whole milk does not contain significant amounts.

Vitamin A

Heavy cream is an excellent source of Vitamin A and it has 793% more Vitamin A than whole milk - heavy cream has 411ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and whole milk has 46ug of Vitamin A.

Vitamin D

Heavy cream and whole milk contain similar amounts of Vitamin D - heavy cream has 63iu of Vitamin D per 100 grams and whole milk has 51iu of Vitamin D.

Vitamin E

Heavy cream and whole milk contain similar amounts of Vitamin E - heavy cream has 0.92mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and whole milk has 0.07mg of Vitamin E.

Vitamin K

Heavy cream and whole milk contain similar amounts of Vitamin K - heavy cream has 3.2ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and whole milk has 0.3ug of Vitamin K.

The B Vitamins

Whole milk has more niacin and Vitamin B12. Both heavy cream and whole milk contain significant amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, Vitamin B6 and folate.

Heavy Cream Whole Milk
Thiamin 0.02 MG 0.046 MG
Riboflavin 0.188 MG 0.169 MG
Niacin 0.064 MG 0.089 MG
Pantothenic acid 0.495 MG 0.373 MG
Vitamin B6 0.035 MG 0.036 MG
Folate 4 UG 5 UG
Vitamin B12 0.16 UG 0.45 UG

Minerals

calcium

Both heavy cream and whole milk are high in calcium. Whole milk has 71% more calcium than heavy cream - heavy cream has 66mg of calcium per 100 grams and whole milk has 113mg of calcium.

iron

Heavy cream and whole milk contain similar amounts of iron - heavy cream has 0.1mg of iron per 100 grams and whole milk has 0.03mg of iron.

potassium

Heavy cream and whole milk contain similar amounts of potassium - heavy cream has 95mg of potassium per 100 grams and whole milk has 132mg of potassium.

Antioxidants and Phytonutrients

carotenoids

Carotenoids are micronutrients commonly found in plants and some animal products. An example is beta-carotene, the notable carotenoid which is a popular source of Vitamin A.[4][5]

For specific types of carotenoids,

Heavy Cream Whole Milk
beta-carotene 72 UG 7 UG

Omega-3 and Omega-6

omega 3s

For omega-3 fatty acids, heavy cream has more DPA than whole milk per 100 grams. Both heavy cream and whole milk contain significant amounts of alpha linoleic acid (ALA).

Heavy Cream Whole Milk
alpha linoleic acid 0.128 G 0.075 G
EPA 0.009 G ~
DPA 0.02 G ~
Total 0.157 G 0.075 G

omega 6s

Comparing omega-6 fatty acids, heavy cream has more linoleic acid than whole milk per 100 grams.

Heavy Cream Whole Milk
other omega 6 0.039 G ~
linoleic acid 1.294 G 0.12 G
Total 1.333 G 0.12 G


Customize your serving size


The comparison below is by weight, but sometimes 100g isn't that intuitive of a measurement for food. View a custom portion comparison (e.g. cups, oz, package).

You can try adding or subtracting the amount of either Heavy Cream or Whole Milk .

Note: The specific food items compared are: Heavy Cream (Cream, fluid, heavy whipping) and Whole Milk (Milk, whole, 3.25% milkfat, with added vitamin D) .

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FAQ

Does heavy cream or whole milk contain more calories in 100 grams?
Heavy cream is high in calories and whole milk has 80% less calories than heavy cream - heavy cream has 340 calories in 100g and whole milk has 61 calories.

Does heavy cream or whole milk have more carbohydrates?
By weight, both heavy cream and whole milk are low in carbohydrates - heavy cream has 2.8g of carbs for 100g and whole milk has 4.8g of carbohydrates. the carbs in heavy cream and whole milk are both made of 100% sugar.

Does heavy cream or whole milk contain more calcium?
Both heavy cream and whole milk are high in calcium. Whole milk has 70% more calcium than heavy cream - heavy cream has 66mg of calcium in 100 grams and whole milk has 113mg of calcium.