Dry milk saves space in your refrigerator and comes in handy if you need milk with a long shelf life. Dry milk powder can be used to create liquid milk or as an ingredient in cooking and baking. Milk powder is made by removing the water and cream from fresh milk, and comes in whole milk and nonfat varieties. The nutrition content of different types of dry milk varies, but this fresh milk alternative offers numerous health benefits.
Preparation
Dry milk is easily mixed to make liquid milk by adding the powder to water for the desired amount of milk. Combine 1 1/3 cups of instant dry milk with 3 3/4 cups of water to make a quart of milk. For non-instant powdered milk, combine 3/4 cup of dry milk with 3 3/4 cups of water to prepare a quart of fluid milk. Mix with a whisk or an electric mixer on a low setting for best results. Warm water will help the mixture blend quickly.
Nonfat Dry Milk Nutrition
One cup, or 32 grams, of nonfat dry milk contains 113 calories, 11.36 g of protein, 0.06 g of fat, 16.57 g of carbohydrates, 90 mg of calcium, 19 mg of magnesium, 323 mg of phosphorus and 218 mg of potassium. Nonfat dry milk is also high in several vitamins. One cup of dry milk provides 2.1 mg of vitamin C, 16 mcg of folate and 1.27 mcg of vitamin B-12.
Dry Whole Milk Nutrition
One cup of dry whole milk contains 159 calories, 8.42 g of protein, 8.55 g of fat, 12.29 g of carbohydrates, 292 mg of calcium, 27 mg of magnesium, 248 mg of phosphorus and 426 mg of potassium. Whole dry milk also provides 2.8 mg of vitamin C, 12 mcg of folate and 1.04 mcg of vitamin B-12.
Health Benefits
Dry milk offers much the same vitamin and mineral nutrition of liquid milk. The calcium content of dry milk may improve bone health and even prevent such conditions as osteoporosis. Calcium from dairy products can also help lower your blood pressure and may prevent certain cancers such as colon cancer. Children and adolescents are especially encouraged to drink milk to ensure proper bone development.
References
- Utah State University Cooperative Extension; Nonfat Dry Milk; Charlotte P. Brennand
- United States Department of Agriculture: Nutrient Data Laboratory
- Washington State Dairy Council: Instant Nonfat Dry Milk Powder- Background Information
- United States Department of Agriculture: Dairy: Health Benefits and Nutrients
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