Buttermilk

Milk, buttermilk, fluid, cultured, lowfat

Source: USDA Nutrient Database. Protein daily value based on ISSN Position Stand for an individual weighing ~150 lbs.

Buttermilk FAQ

Table of Contents

• Is buttermilk gluten-free?
• Is buttermilk low fat?
• What are the alternatives to buttermilk?
• Is buttermilk high in protein?
• Does buttermilk contain sugar?
• Is buttermilk high in cholesterol?
• Is buttermilk high in potassium?
• Is buttermilk high in sodium?
• Does buttermilk contain lactose?
• Is buttermilk halal?
• Is buttermilk kosher?
• Is buttermilk low FODMAP?
• Does buttermilk contain calcium?
• Is buttermilk high in histamine?

Is buttermilk gluten-free?

Yes, buttermilk is gluten-free. Gluten is a type of protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye, and since buttermilk is a dairy product derived from cows, not grains, it naturally does not contain gluten.

Is buttermilk low fat?

Traditional buttermilk can come in a variety of fat levels, like most dairy products. Whole buttermilk, for instance, contains about 8 grams of fat per 1-cup (8 ounce) serving, which is 12% of the recommended daily value based on a 2000 calorie diet. Low-fat or non-fat buttermilk options are also available on the market, should you be needing to cut down on fat consumption.

What are the alternatives to buttermilk?

If you’re looking for alternatives to buttermilk, you have several options. For cooking and baking purposes, a common substitution is adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of regular milk and let it stand for 5 to 10 minutes, or until curdled. Soy milk, almond milk or coconut milk with a tablespoon of vinegar can also mimic buttermilk’s tang for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan.

Is buttermilk high in protein?

Buttermilk has a moderate amount of protein. One cup of buttermilk (about 245 grams) contains around 8 grams of protein. The recommended daily value of protein for an average adult is about 50 grams (based on a 2000 calorie daily diet), so a cup of buttermilk would provide about 16% of the daily protein requirement.

Does buttermilk contain sugar?

Yes, buttermilk does contain sugar. A 1-cup serving of buttermilk typically contains about 12 grams of sugar. This is approximately one-fourth of the recommended daily intake of sugars for the average adult, which is around 50 grams according to the World Health Organization.

Is buttermilk high in cholesterol?

Buttermilk does contain cholesterol, but it wouldn’t necessarily be categorized as high. A 1-cup serving of buttermilk contains about 10 milligrams of cholesterol. The American Heart Association recommends that the average adult aim to consume less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol per day, so a cup of buttermilk would account for about 3.3% of that daily allowance.

Is buttermilk high in potassium?

Buttermilk is a good source of potassium. A 1-cup serving of buttermilk contains about 370 milligrams of potassium. The National Institutes of Health recommends a daily intake of 4700 milligrams of potassium for adults, so a cup of buttermilk provides around 8% of the recommended daily value.

Is buttermilk high in sodium?

Buttermilk does contain a rather substantial amount of sodium. A 1-cup serving of buttermilk contains approximately 466 milligrams of sodium. The American Heart Association recommends a daily intake of 2300 milligrams of sodium for adults, meaning a cup of buttermilk accounts for 20% of the daily recommended intake, so consumption of buttermilk should be balanced with other low-sodium foods in your diet to avoid excessive sodium intake.

Does buttermilk contain lactose?

Yes, buttermilk does contain lactose. In a cup of buttermilk (about 240g), there are approximately 12.2 grams of lactose. The presence of lactose makes buttermilk unsuitable for those with lactose intolerance. The average person can comfortably digest up to 12 grams of lactose in a single sitting, so a full glass of buttermilk is likely to cause discomfort for people with lactose intolerance.

Is buttermilk halal?

In general, buttermilk is halal as it is a dairy product obtained from milk which is permissible in Islam. However, it may vary depending on the buttermilk processing method or if any additive non-halal ingredients are used in its manufacture. You should check the packaging for any halal certification to be sure.

Is buttermilk kosher?

Yes, buttermilk is typically kosher. As a dairy product processed from milk, it’s usually compliant with kashrut, the set of Jewish dietary laws. However, the ultimate kosher status would depend on the facilities and methods of processing of the individual brand. Consumers should look for products with kosher certification just to be certain.

Is buttermilk low FODMAP?

No, buttermilk is not low in FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols). This is due to its high lactose content, which is a disaccharide sugar that some people have trouble digesting. A “low FODMAP” food is one that contains less than one gram of high FODMAPs per serving, and with approximately 12.2 grams of lactose per cup, buttermilk does not fall into this category.

Does buttermilk contain calcium?

Yes, buttermilk is a good source of calcium. One cup of buttermilk contains around 284 mg of calcium, which is around 28% of the recommended daily value (1000 mg for adults).

Is buttermilk high in histamine?

Buttermilk does contain histamine, but it’s not typically considered high in histamine. Exact quantities can vary based on factors like fermentation time and temperature, which can affect the bacterial activity that produces histamine. However, if you have a histamine intolerance, it may still be best to avoid buttermilk and other fermented dairy products, because even small amounts of histamine can cause symptoms for those individuals.