Milk, dry, whole, without added vitamin D
Whole food · Dairy and Egg Products
Photo: Wikipedia
Whole dry milk powder is a shelf-stable, concentrated dairy product made by evaporating the water from fresh whole milk. It has a rich, creamy, and slightly sweet flavor with a fine, powdery texture that dissolves into a smooth, full-bodied liquid when reconstituted. Nutritionally, it's a powerhouse, delivering a balanced mix of high-quality protein, energy-dense fats, and natural milk sugars in a compact, non-perishable form.
Calorie split: 21% protein · 31% carbs · 48% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its intense, comforting dairy flavor that's even more concentrated than fresh milk, and its incredible versatility as a base for everything from creamy sauces and soups to homemade ice cream and baked goods. It's a nostalgic staple in many cultures, representing practicality and a reliable source of nourishment.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Due to its high concentration of lactose and natural sugars (38g per 100g powder), it can cause significant blood sugar spikes and digestive issues for those with lactose intolerance or insulin sensitivity. A concrete tip is to always reconstitute it with water and pair the resulting milk with a source of fiber or fat (like nuts or whole-grain cereal) to slow sugar absorption. For baking, it can be used in combination with whole wheat flour to add protein without solely relying on refined carbs.
Key benefits
- Provides a complete protein source with all essential amino acids.
- Excellent source of calcium and phosphorus for bone health.
- Offers a long shelf life without refrigeration.
- Convenient for baking, emergency food storage, and travel.
- Naturally rich in fat-soluble vitamins like A and D (if fortified).
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The process for making modern dry milk powder was perfected in the 1800s, but it became a critical military ration during World War II, allowing armies to transport vast quantities of nutritious dairy across oceans without spoilage.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 2.5 g |
| Energy | 496 kcal |
| Energy | 2075 kj |
| Protein | 26.3 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 26.7 g |
| Ash | 6.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 38.4 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 38.4 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 912 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.47 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 85.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 776 mg |
| Potassium, K | 1330 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 371 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 3.3 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.04 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 16.3 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 8.6 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.28 mg |
| Riboflavin | 1.2 mg |
| Niacin | 0.65 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 2.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.30 mg |
| Folate, total | 37.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 37.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 37.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 117 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 3.3 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 258 ug |
| Retinol | 253 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 55.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 934 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.58 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 20.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.50 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 0.50 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 2.2 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 16.7 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.87 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.24 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.27 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.60 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.61 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 2.8 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 7.5 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 2.9 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 7.9 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 1.2 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 6.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.67 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.46 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.20 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 97.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.37 g |
| Threonine | 1.2 g |
| Isoleucine | 1.6 g |
| Leucine | 2.6 g |
| Lysine | 2.1 g |
| Methionine | 0.66 g |
| Cystine | 0.24 g |
| Phenylalanine | 1.3 g |
| Tyrosine | 1.3 g |
| Valine | 1.8 g |
| Arginine | 0.95 g |
| Histidine | 0.71 g |
| Alanine | 0.91 g |
| Aspartic acid | 2.0 g |
| Glutamic acid | 5.5 g |
| Glycine | 0.56 g |
| Proline | 2.5 g |
| Serine | 1.4 g |
FAQ
How do I reconstitute dry milk powder?
The standard ratio is about 1/3 cup of powder to 1 cup (240ml) of cold water. For a richer taste closer to whole milk, you can use a slightly higher ratio of powder. Shake or whisk vigorously until fully dissolved.
Can I use it in coffee or tea?
Yes, but it's best to dissolve the powder in a small amount of hot water first to prevent clumping, then add your beverage. It will add creaminess but also a distinct, concentrated milk flavor.
Is it the same as whey protein powder?
No. Whole milk powder contains both the casein and whey proteins naturally found in milk, along with milk fat and carbohydrates (lactose). Whey protein is a processed isolate derived from milk, containing primarily protein with most fat and carbs removed.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.96 kcal/g · 21% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 38.4 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.28 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.