Heavy Cream vs Whole Milk: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Heavy cream has 340 calories and 2.8 g of protein, while whole milk has 60 calories and 3.3 g of protein. Whole milk is lower in calories and higher in protein.

Heavy cream and whole milk are both dairy products, but they differ greatly in their nutritional profiles. This comparison will highlight their calorie, protein, and fat content per 100 grams.

What Is the Difference Between Heavy Cream and Whole Milk?

Heavy cream is a high-fat dairy product that contains a significant amount of cream, making it rich and thick. It is often used in cooking and baking for its creamy texture. Whole milk is a dairy product that contains all its natural fat content, providing a creamy taste and texture. It is commonly consumed as a beverage and used in various recipes.

Heavy Cream vs Whole Milk: Nutrition Side by Side

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of heavy cream and whole milk's nutritional values.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Heavy cream	Whole milk
Calories	340 kcal	60 kcal
Protein	2.8 g	3.3 g
Carbs	2.8 g	4.8 g
Sugar	2.8 g	4.8 g
Fat	36.1 g	3.2 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	27 mg	38 mg

Which Is Better, Heavy Cream or Whole Milk?

For weight loss: Heavy cream has 340 calories per 100 g, while whole milk has only 60 calories. Whole milk is a better option for those looking to reduce calorie intake.

For muscle and protein: Whole milk contains 3.3 g of protein per 100 g, compared to heavy cream's 2.8 g. Therefore, whole milk is a better choice for increasing protein intake.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Heavy cream has 2.8 g of carbs and 2.8 g of sugar, while whole milk has 4.8 g of carbs and 4.8 g of sugar. Heavy cream is lower in both carbs and sugar.

How to Track Heavy cream and Whole milk Accurately

Serving sizes and macronutrient content can be easily misjudged, especially with high-calorie foods like heavy cream. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Whole milk has 3.3 g of protein per 100 g, while heavy cream has 2.8 g. Therefore, whole milk contains more protein.

Which has fewer calories?

Whole milk has 60 calories per 100 g, while heavy cream has 340 calories. Thus, whole milk has fewer calories.

What is the fat content in heavy cream?

Heavy cream contains 36.1 g of fat per 100 g, making it a high-fat dairy product.

What is the sugar content in whole milk?

Whole milk contains 4.8 g of sugar per 100 g, which is higher than the sugar content in heavy cream.

How much sodium is in heavy cream?

Heavy cream contains 27 mg of sodium per 100 g, which is lower than the sodium content in whole milk.

What is the carbohydrate content in heavy cream?

Heavy cream contains 2.8 g of carbohydrates per 100 g, which is lower than the carbohydrate content in whole milk.

Key Takeaways

• Heavy cream has 340 calories per 100 g.
• Whole milk has 60 calories per 100 g.
• Heavy cream contains 2.8 g of protein per 100 g.
• Whole milk contains 3.3 g of protein per 100 g.
• Heavy cream has 36.1 g of fat per 100 g.
• Whole milk has 3.2 g of fat per 100 g.