While all types of milk contain vitamin D, it doesn't occur naturally in any of them. Vitamin D and others, including vitamin A, are added to much of the milk available in the United States during processing, also known as fortifying. Some milk companies have replaced the "whole milk" label with "vitamin D milk," which may be a bit misleading --- all types of cow's milk you're likely to find at the local supermarket are fortified with vitamin D.
Fat Content
Because vitamin D milk is also sometimes labeled as whole, there are some differences between it and 1-percent --- including the fat content. The amount of fat contained in different types of milk is what separates them from each other. When milk is labeled 1 percent, this means that the milk contains less than 1 percent fat, whereas whole milk --- also labeled as vitamin D milk --- contains 3.5 percent fat, the Dairy Council of California explains on its website.
Difference in Calcium
Milk is a good source of calcium, which helps build healthy and strong bones. Both 1-percent and whole milk contain calcium, but 1-percent milk contains more than other types. One 8-oz. serving of 1-percent milk offers 380 mg of calcium, the Dairy Council of California reports, to 301 mg per serving for whole milk.
More or Less?
With higher fat content comes more calories per serving. So it isn't surprising that whole milk contains 156 calories in each 8-oz. glass to 127 calories for 1-percent milk. The low-fat milk also contains 2 g more protein per serving than whole, close to 100 mg more potassium and 3 g more fiber.
Vitamin D Amounts
While there are differences in fat, calories and other nutrients, the amount of vitamin D added to the various types of milk remains the same. In an 8-oz. serving of 1-percent milk, you get 25 percent of your daily recommended amount --- the identical amount in an 8-oz. serving of whole or vitamin D milk. So if you're looking to cut calories or fat while still getting your vitamin D fix, 1-percent milk might be the best choice for you. If your diet requires more calories --- something often recommended for young children, for example --- vitamin D or whole milk is your best option.
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