Are dairy foods high in fat?
The fat content of dairy foods differs depending on the product. However, despite some dairy foods containing fat, they are not fattening.
Last updated 31/01/2025
The fat in dairy foods varies depending on the product. While regular milk has a fat content of about 3.5%, foods like butter can contain more than 80% fat.
Regular or full fat milk has only 3.5% fat. Reduced fat milk has 1.5-2% fat. Skim milk has close to zero fat.
The fat content in other dairy foods can be higher. For example, the fat content in cheddar cheese is around 33%, while butter has over 80% fat.
The nutrition label on products gives the exact amount of fat content in that food.
Despite some dairy foods containing fat, they are not fattening. Latest research shows that having enough milk, cheese and yoghurt every day, as part of a healthy diet, is not linked to weight gain.
The Australian Dietary Guidelines also indicate that all types of milk, cheese and yoghurt are associated with numerous health benefits, including a reduced risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
References
- Food Standards Australia & New Zealand. Food Composition Database - Release 1.0.
- National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian Dietary Guidelines Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia; 2013.
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