Nutrition Facts About Nonfat Dry Milk

Nonfat dry milk is an excellent source of protein, as well as some vitamins and minerals. While dry milk is available with vitamins A and D added, all values below are for a ¼ cup serving of nonfat dry milk, without added vitamins. Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) percentages are for adults under age 50. These percentages will differ for teenagers, children and older adults.

Calories

A serving of nonfat dry milk contains 109 calories. These calories come from both protein and carbohydrates. One serving contains no fiber and 15.6g of sugar.

Protein

One serving of nonfat dry milk contains 10.9g of protein. This is 24 percent of the DRI for women and 19 percent of the DRI for men. This protein is comprised of 18 different amino acids, including all of the essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are those that cannot be made by the body. These amino acids must be obtained through food. One serving of nonfat milk contains more than 5 percent of the recommended amount of the essential amino acids threonine, isoleucine, leucine, valine, lysine and tryptophan. Because tryptophan is converted to serotonin, it helps with sleep, hunger and depression.

Fat

Nonfat milk is not completely free of fat, as one serving contains 0.23g of fat. One serving contains only 6mg of cholesterol, which is 2 percent of the recommended daily maximum of 300mg.

Minerals

One serving of nonfat dry milk provides 38 percent of the DRI of calcium. Calcium is important for bone formation, nerve transmission and muscle contraction. One serving also supplies 41 percent of the DRI of phosphorus, 27 percent of potassium and 15 percent of selenium. Nonfat dry milk is low in sodium, with one serving supplying only 7 percent of the recommended daily maximum of 2400mg.

Vitamins

Nonfat dry milk supplies numerous B vitamins. One serving provides 42 percent of the DRI of riboflavin for women and 36 percent for men. One serving provides 50 percent of the DRI for vitamin B12. One serving also supplies 21 percent of the DRI for pantothenic acid and more than 10 percent of the DRI for thiamin. Unless vitamins A and D are added to the milk, nonfat dry milk provides less than one percent of the DRI for all of the fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E and K.