What Are The Healthiest Coffee Creamers?

For many, coffee isn't complete without a touch of creamer. However, a glance at the ingredient list of conventional creamers can reveal a host of additives, sugars, and unhealthy fats. So, what's the healthiest coffee creamer to brighten your morning brew?

The answer often lies in choosing options that are minimally processed, low in added sugars, and free from artificial ingredients.

Here's a breakdown of what to look for and what to avoid:

Top Contenders for Healthy Coffee Creamers:

Real Dairy:

• Skim milk can be made more palatable by steaming or frothing it before adding it to coffee or espresso. Both of these options make it thick and creamy. Milk frothers are typically priced around $8 in any store or on Amazon. Skim milk is a natural food, low in fat, and buying it to cream your coffee means you can use it for other uses like cereal, mashed potatoes, soups, beverages, smoothies or more. It is very inexpensive. However, we observe that you need to be drinking coffee at home and not on the go.

• Heavy Cream, Milk, or Half-and-Half: While higher in fat and calories than plant-based options, organic, grass-fed heavy cream or half-and-half is often considered healthier than highly processed creamers because it contains fewer additives and is closer to its natural state. Portion control is the key here. Keep your additions to a tablespoon or less.

• Fat-free half and half is a good option for being low in fat, but it often has added gums, corn syrup, and flavoring agents.

• DIY Creamer: The healthiest option of all might be to make your own! You have complete control over ingredients, ensuring no unwanted additives. Simple recipes often involve blending unsweetened nut milk with natural sweeteners (like a touch of stevia or monk fruit) and flavorings such as vanilla extract or cinnamon.

  Unsweetened Plant-Based Milks:

• Almond Milk: Unsweetened almond milk is a popular choice due to its low-calorie count and mild flavor. Look for brands with minimal ingredients.

• Oat Milk: Offers a creamier texture than almond milk and can provide a good source of fiber and calcium. Opt for unsweetened varieties to keep sugar in check.

• Cashew Milk: Similar to almond milk, unsweetened cashew milk can be a good, low-calorie, dairy-free option.

• Soy milk creamer: There are many low-cost options available on the market for soy-based creamers. Stick to ones that are low in sugar.

• Pea-protein-based creamers: New to the market, pea-protein-based creamers taste creamy, but they are ultraprocessed and contain five or more ingredients.

  Ingredients to Avoid in Coffee Creamers:

• When scrutinizing coffee creamer labels, be wary of the following:

• Added Sugars: Many conventional creamers are loaded with sugar, often listed under various names, such as corn syrup solids, cane sugar, or dextrose. Excess sugar intake can contribute to weight gain, blood sugar spikes, and other health issues.

• Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils may contain trans fats, which are detrimental to heart health and have been linked to inflammation.

• Artificial Flavors and Colors: These offer no nutritional value and are classified as highly processed ingredients.

• Thickeners and Emulsifiers: Ingredients such as carrageenan, gellan gum, and dipotassium phosphate are often used to create a creamy texture and prolong shelf life. If you are trying to use fewer ultra-processed ingredients, these may be red flags.

• Artificial Sweeteners: While they offer zero calories, some artificial sweeteners are considered ultra-processed ingredients.

Here are the ingredients in a powdered non-dairy creamer for reference:

Corn Syrup Solids, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (coconut And/or Palm Kernel And/or Soybean), Sodium Caseinate (a Milk Derivative), Less Than 2% Of Dipotassium Phosphate, Mono- And Diglycerides, Sodium Aluminosilicate, Artificial Flavor, Annatto Color. *Not a source of lactose.

The first ingredient is sugar, followed by hydrogenated oil, milk protein, and other artificial ingredients, so that this creamer would be classified as an ultra-processed food.

Ultimately, the healthiest coffee creamer for you depends on your individual dietary needs and preferences. Prioritizing unsweetened options with minimal, recognizable ingredients will always be a step in the right direction for a healthier cup of coffee.

Take a look at this popular comparison chart, that has the most traffic on our site!