I’m often asked what’s the healthiest creamer for coffee? Most of us need some time of creamer or creamer stand-in to enjoy our coffee. I use fat-free half & half and that works for me. This article lists the recommendations of Danielle Omar, RD.
Danielle Omar admits that coffee isn’t coffee without the perfect amount of sweetness and cream. Over the last few years there’s been an influx of creamers: dairy, non-dairy, powder, plant-based and functional, it seems like there’s something for everyone these days.
When choosing a healthy coffee creamer, look for options that are free of additives, chemicals, artificial sweeteners and unhealthy oils. You also want to avoid those with a ton of added sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, both of which add unnecessary calories to your cup of joe.
What’s the Healthiest Creamer for Coffee?
Here are Danielle Omar’s answers to the question of what’s the healthiest creamer for coffee:
BEST DAIRY COFFEE CREAMER: ORGANIC HALF-AND-HALF
Per 1 tablespoon serving: 20 calories, 1 1/2g fat, 1g carbs, 1g protein, 1g sugar
Ingredients: organic milk and cream
For dairy creamer, you can’t beat good, old, organic half-and-half. It offers the creamiest texture without the fat and calories found in heavy cream. I recommend going with organic, grass-fed creamer because you get a dose of omega-3 fats as well (around 147% more than conventionally raised milk.) Grass-fed milk also has 52% fewer omega-6 fats than conventional milk, and consuming too many omega-6 fats increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes.
CHOBANI SWEET CREAM COFFEE CREAMER
Per 1 tablespoon serving: 30 calories, 1 1/2g fat, 4g carbs, 0g protein, 4g sugar
Ingredients: natural cream, real milk, cane sugar and natural flavors
Chobani sweetened dairy creamers are made with only four ingredients: milk, cream, cane sugar and natural flavors. It doesn’t contain any unhealthy oils or additives and comes in a variety of flavors. It is sweet, so a little goes a long way.
COFFEEMATE NATURAL BLISS SWEET CREAM COFFEE CREAMER
Per 1 tablespoon serving: 35 calories, 1 1/2g fat, 5g carbs, 0g protein, 5g sugar
Ingredients: nonfat milk, heavy cream, cane sugar, natural flavor
Coffeemate’s Natural Bliss Sweet Cream Coffee Creamer is available in most stores and meets my requirements for a healthy creamer. It comes in several flavors, too, so you can have fun making your flavored coffee creation.
BEST PLANT-BASED COFFEE CREAMER: NUTPODS UNSWEETENED NON-DAIRY CREAMERS
Per 1 tablespoon serving: 10 calories, 1g fat, 0g carbs, 0g protein, 0g sugar
Ingredients: purified water, coconut cream, almonds, natural flavors, acacia gum, sunflower lecithin, dipotassium phosphate, gellan gum, sea salt
Nutpods Non-Dairy Creamers are a great option for plant-based eaters. They’re made with heart-healthy almond and coconut cream with no added oils. They come in sweetened and unsweetened varieties and are free from artificial flavors, corn syrup, and refined sugar that’s normally found in other non-dairy creamers. Nutpods are also a good option for a keto or Paleo lifestyle.
SO DELICIOUS DAIRY-FREE ORGANIC COCONUT MILK CREAMER
Per 1 tablespoon serving: 15 calories, 1g fat, 0g carbs, 0g protein, 0g sugar
Ingredients: organic coconut milk, potassium citrate, sodium citrate, gellan gum
For the nut-free crowd, So Delicious Dairy-Free Organic Coconut Milk Creamer is a simple coconut milk creamer with no added sugar, and it’s free of artificial flavor and added oils. I like that it’s organic and Non-GMO Project Verified, too.
ELMHURST ALMOND MILK, BARISTA EDITION
Per 1 cup serving: 90 calories, 7g fat, 5g carbs, 3g protein, 4g sugar
Ingredients: filtered water, almonds, rice. Contains 2 percent or less of cane sugar, dipotassium phosphate, salt
Elmhurst Almond Milk is a silky smooth almond milk creamer that’s free of flavors, oils, gums and emulsifiers. It foams and steams like regular milk and it’s a great option if you take your coffee without sugar.
MILKADAMIA UNSWEETENED LATTE DA BARISTA BLEND
Per 1 cup serving: 45 calories, 4g fat, 1g carbs, 1g protein, 0g sugar
Ingredients: filtered macadamia milk, pea protein, calcium phosphate, potassium citrate, potassium phosphate, natural flavor, locust bean gum, salt, sunflower lecithin, gellan gum
Macadamia nut milk is a great substitute for cream in your coffee, you’ll love the flavor and texture.
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