Low-fat and nonfat dairy typically has less saturated fat, which is bad for your cardiovascular health when consumed in excess. This automatically means that whole milk is healthier than standard half-and-half and low-fat half-and-half, but that fat-free half-and-half might be a healthier choice than whole milk.
Half and half is high in calories and whole milk has 53% less calories than half and half – half and half has 131 calories per 100 grams and whole milk has 61 calories. For macronutrient ratios, half and half is lighter in protein, lighter in carbs and much heavier in fat compared to whole milk per calorie. Half and half has a macronutrient ratio of 9:13:78 and for whole milk, 21:32:47 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories. Macro Ratios from Calories:
Half and half contains 315 calories per cup, or 20 calories per tbsp. By comparison, whole milk has 146 calories per cup, or 9 calories per tbsp. Whole milk has 8 g of fat, 5 g of which are saturated, and 8 g of protein. Save more calories and fat by choosing 1 percent low-fat milk with 102 calories per cup and 2 g of fat or nonfat milk with 83 calories per cup and no fat. A cup of milk has 30 percent of the RDA for calcium.
Half and half is a mix of half whole milk and half cream. It is usually found in cartons in the dairy section of most major supermarkets. Most often used in coffee, half and half may also be used for baking, to thicken sauces or as an ingredient in ice cream. Half and half contains a number of nutrients, but it is high in calories and saturated fat.
If a recipe calls for 1 cup of half and half, you may substitute ¾ cup whole milk and ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream. Alternatively, you may substitute 1 tbsp melted butter and enough whole milk to make one cup. One tbsp of half and half with 20 calories will not significantly impact your daily calorie intake, but if you are watching your weight you might consider switching to milk. At the very least, measure your half and half servings to make sure you are not using more than you think, and taking in considerably more calories, fat and cholesterol.
Half and half provides 25 percent of the recommended dietary allowance for calcium. A cup also provides 17 percent of the RDA for vitamin A, 4 percent for vitamin C and 1 percent for iron, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Other nutrients in half and half include 21 percent of the RDA for riboflavin, 13 percent for vitamin B12, 4 percent for vitamins E and K, 5 percent for vitamin B6, 6 percent for thiamin and magnesium, 7 percent for pantothenic acid, 9 percent for potassium, 8 percent for zinc and 6 percent for selenium. A cup of half and half contains 89.5 mg of cholesterol.
One cup of half and half contains 28 g of fat, 17 g of which are saturated. It provides 10 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of protein. One tbsp, the typical amount you add to a cup of coffee, provides 2 g of fat, 1 g of which is saturated. It only contains 1 g of carbohydrates and no protein.
Eye-Opening Insulin Facts (Milk vs Cream + more) – Which Is Better
FAQ
Is whole milk actually better for you?
How healthy is half-and-half?
What is the healthiest dairy milk?
Which is healthier half-and-half or fat-free half-and-half?
Is whole milk healthier than half-and-half?
Low-fat and nonfat dairy typically has less saturated fat, which is bad for your cardiovascular health when consumed in excess. This automatically means that whole milk is healthier than standard half-and-half and low-fat half-and-half, but that fat-free half-and-half might be a healthier choice than whole milk.
What are the healthier substitutes of milk?
Many people do not drink milk from mammals because of a food sensitivity to the protein in dairy milk or an intolerance to lactose. Even though they are not technically milks, there are several plant based alternatives to dairy milk available. Soymilk is an example of a non-dairy substitute that come closest to diary milk in nutrient profile. It contains similar amounts of calcium, protein, as well as vitamins A, B12, and D if the soymilk is fortified. Be sure to read nutrition facts labels. For individuals who count calories, almond milk is lower in calories per serving than dairy milk. Also, almond milk contains similar amounts of vitamin A while providing more calcium per serving compared to diary milk. For individuals concerned about environmental health, almond milk production uses less water to produce than cow’s milk dairy, while soy milk and oat milk use even less water than almond milk. Of the three milks mentioned, oat milk is the most environmentally friendly to produce, and because it is creamy, it works well in hot foods like coffee and tea. It also provides vitamin A, D, B12, and more calcium than diary milk if fortified. There is no reason not to include several alternative milks in one’s diet.
What is the difference between milk and Half & Half?
The biggest difference between the sum of half-and-half and its parts –- milk and cream –- is fat content. Half-and-half contains less fat than cream but more than whole milk, with a 100-gram serving of half-and-half containing 7 grams of saturated fats (via Livestrong ).
Does whole milk have more fat than half and half?
Whole milk contains more fat than half-and-half, which is a mixture of cream and milk. A cup of whole milk (240ml) contains about 146 calories, 7.9 grams of fat, 12.2 grams of carbohydrates, and 8 grams of protein. The same amount of half-and-half contains about 315 calories, 28 grams of fat, 10 grams of carbohydrates, and 6 grams of protein.