The demand for good quality coffee creamers for people on low carb diets is soaring.
And here are three related statistics to prove it.
We know how much Americans love their coffee because over 50% of Americans drinking on average three cups of coffee on a daily basis.
Low carb diets are very popular with up to 18% of Americans on a low carb diet at any one point.
And finally only 28% of the coffee that is drank, is black.
72% of us like to add milk, cream or coffee creamer to our much loved cup of coffee.
Related Post: Healthy Substitute for Coffee Creamer
The hunt is on for coffee creamers that are low carb friendly and that;
- taste delicious
- look beautiful
- feel creamy
For those of you in a rush, this is my favorite one.
And many of these creamers use the finest organic ingredients from sustainable sources.
Which means it is win, win- for you and the planet.
What Is a Low Carb Diet?
A low carb diet limits carbohydrates (such as starchy vegetables, grains and fruit) and emphasises foods that are high in protein or fat.
Related Post: Sugar Free Coffee Creamers
But with well over a dozen different variations to follow, the exact limitations placed on carbohydrate intake will vary.
Some of the most popular examples of low carb diets include;
- Atkins
- Keto
- Low Carb Mediterranean
In terms of carbohydrate intake, the Atkins diet recommends an intake of less than 20g daily (in the first phase) whereas the Keto suggests an intake of less than 50g daily.
Can You Drink Coffee on a Low Carb Diet?
Black coffee can be drank in moderation on any low carb diet, the difficulty comes with when you add a dairy product such as milk, half and half or coffee creamer.
This is because dairy contains a sugar called lactose, which is a carbohydrate.
And there is a real dilemma depending on how strictly you want to follow the diet.
The amount of dairy that you put in your coffee is relatively small and so some followers of low carb diets just don’t count their milk, creamer or half and half in their calculations.
But, if you are a detail oriented person and you want to follow your diet precisely, then dairy must be counted.
What is Coffee Creamer?
Coffee creamer is a powdered or liquid non dairy product that is added to coffee to provide it with flavour and color.
In some countries, creamer is called “whitener”.
The first commercial coffee creamer was created in 1950 by Presto Foods and Coffee Mate was launched in 1961. ()
The market is currently believed to be worth over $5 billion per year in the US.
Do you want to know a fun fact?
Powdered coffee creamer is sometimes used in movies and on TV as snow!
Why Do People Drink It?
Reason #1: Perhaps the biggest reason that people drink coffee creamer is that it is dairy free.
Although that isn’t strictly true as many creamers contain sodium caseinate, which is a milk protein.
The loophole comes about because serving sizes of coffee creamers are very small and so the amount of the milk protein in every serving is almost nothing.
Reason #2: Coffee creamers have another big advantage over their dairy based competitors.
And this relates to storage.
Many coffee creamers do not need to be refrigerated until they are opened, with a growing number of creamers not needing to be refrigerated at all.
Reason #3: The final reason that people use coffee creamers is that they don’t like the taste or texture of cream or half and half.
Although creamers try to “mimic” or copy the taste and texture of dairy products, they are different.
Some people who aren’t allergic to dairy or don’t want to consume it for moral concerns (such as veganism), still prefer Creamer.
Harmful Ingredients in Coffee Creamers
Although traditional coffee creamers are dairy free, that doesn’t mean that ever other ingredient in them are nutritional.
Many of the biggest selling coffee creamers still have a range of other ingredients that are at the very least should be considered unhealthy and at the most, should be considered harmful.
The concerns about these ingredients extend beyond the low carb diet community to everyone who is consuming these products on a regular basis.
The list below includes the ingredients we should be most concerned about.
Carrageenan
This is a polysaccharide that is extracted from red seaweed.
It is commonly used in the food industry particularly in dairy products because of its thickening and stabilising properties.
It is used in coffee creamers because it adds a creamy texture to a product and it helps the product maintain its creamy texture.
Although some studies have found carrageenan to be perfectly safe in laboratory tests, some people have raised concerns about how it can lead to inflammation or bloating.
So, this is a very contentious ingredient indeed.
Monoglycerides and Diglycerides
The functions of these two fats are;
Emulsification:
They stabilise foods that have two ingredients that ordinarily would not mix (https://knowledge.ulprospector.com/511/mono-diglycerides-2/) (as in oil and water.)
Essentially, this means that by using monoglycerides and diglycerides, a product will not separate and curdle.
Aeration:
And they provide a food with a creamy and smooth texture
Corn Syrup
This is a food syrup which is made from the starch of corn.
It is also known as HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup.)
It has long been blamed for being a root cause of the American obesity crisis.
It is added to foods to soften texture, add volume and to enhance the flavor.
Soybean/ Cottonseed Oil
A bottle of standard “vegetable oil” will probably be soybean oil.
It is extracted from the soybean Glycine max.
Americans consume a staggering 20 billion pounds every year.
And this is the main problem with soybean oil- it is ubiquitous.
It is in so many processed foods that our bodies are awash with it.
It is used in various foods such as mayonnaise and coffee creamers because it prevents liquids from separating.
Soybean oil is a trans fat and as such is known to cause anything from heart disease to cancer.
Dipotassium Phosphate
This beautiful sounding chemical is typically added into (liquid) non dairy creamers to prevent coagulation.
Stopping the liquid from turning into a solid.
One of its key benefits is that it is a convenient source of potassium.
A potentially harmful side effect is that its phosphorus content is too easily absorbed into our bodies.
And so people who eat foods that contain it for prolonged periods might suffer from a variety of side effects.
Ranging from headaches to diarrhea.
According to the FDA, it is “generally regarded as safe to use…”
Enough said!
Sodium Caseinate
Sodium caseinate is a protein found in all mammal milk.
It is thought to account for about 3% of cow’s milk.
It is added into food to provide flavor and consistency.
It is thought that after lactose intolerance, casein is the second biggest reason for allergic reactions to cow’s milk.
Leaving you with that uncomfortable thought, it is time to shift our focus and look at sugar free syrups.
Flavored Syrups
Coffee creamer is only one of many add ins that people like to put in their coffee.
Flavored syrups are one of the most popular of these.
In a 2016 survey , 40% of people questioned indicated that added flavors were an important consideration when choosing the ideal coffee creamer.
The trouble with standard syrups is that they contain sugars.
But there is a growing range of sugar free syrups.
And this one here is one of my favorites.
Best Coffee Creamers for Low Carb Diet
In this section I have listed some of the best coffee creamers for followers of low carb diets.
The first two products are sugar free versions of standard coffee creamers.
But beyond that my list includes cutting edge products- creamers that are made from coconut, almonds or flax.
Milk and powders that are not only dairy free but are made from non GMO vegan friendly ingredients.
So, let’s take a look at the first product on my list.
COFFEE- MATE COFFEE CREAMER SUGAR FREE CREAMY CHOCOLATE
Details
- Container Size: 10.2 oz
- Pack Size: 1
- Flavor: Creamy Chocolate
- Calories Per Serving: 30
- Dairy Free: Yes
- Lactose Free: Yes
- Gluten Free: Yes
- Refrigerate: Before and after opening
- Find Out More
Features
Coffee Mate is such a famous brand, you can ask for some “coffee mate” and people will know that you mean coffee creamer.
This is sugar free with a real velvety chocolate flavor.
This would be perfect for chocolate flavor lovers who are on a low carb diet or for people who want to go sugar free but still need their coffee creamer to be sweet.
As this coffee creamer needs to be refrigerated before and after opening, it needs to be used in a place where there is a refrigerator.
The 10 oz. multi- use container would best suit a home environment as opposed to being used in a workplace.
COFFEE- MATE COFFEE CREAMER SUGAR FREE FRENCH VANILLA
Details
- Container Size: 50 Single Serve Portions
- Pack Size: 1
- Flavor: French Vanilla
- Calories Per Serving: 15
- Dairy Free: Yes
- Lactose Free: Yes
- Gluten Free: Yes
- Refrigerate: No need
- Find Out More
Features
Also made by Coffee Mate, this sugar free version of their coffee creamer has a French vanilla flavor (and not Chocolate.)
The other main differences from the coffee creamer above, is that this creamer comes in single serve pods.
This product would be perfect for a Coffee Mate loving workplace such as an office.
As the portions are single serve, they don’t need to be refrigerated either.
NUTPODS FRENCH VANILLA DAIRY FREE CREAMER
Details
- Container Size: 11.2 Fl oz
- Pack Size: 4
- Flavor: French Vanilla
- Calories Per Serving: 10
- Dairy Free: Yes
- Lactose Free: Yes
- Gluten Free: Yes
- Refrigerate: After opening
- Find Out More
Features
This is the first coconut based coffee creamer in my list and it is very, very popular.
It is unsweetened and sugar free.
The packaging is very simple (using lots of white) and gives a real hint at how pure and natural this product.
It also shows a sense of fun.
Combining almonds and coconut cream, this nutpod variety is French vanilla- which is a very popular flavoring for coffee creamers.
This product will be attractive to buyers who want aren’t only looking for a sugar free creamer.
Buyers are looking for a creamer that is healthy for them and is eco-friendly.
If you are worried about calories, this has the fewest calories per serving of any creamer in my comparison.
Oh yes and it will appeal to nut fans!
Coming as a 4 pack, this product doesn’t need to be refrigerated until individual cartons are opened.
Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Coconut Milk Powder
Details
- Container Size: 16 oz
- Pack Size: 1
- Flavor: Coconut
- Calories Per Serving: 14
- Dairy Free: Yes
- Lactose Free: Yes
- Gluten Free: Yes
- Refrigerate: No need
- Find Out More
Features
This product is cool- just look at the sleek design of the packaging.
It is a high quality product which is organic as well as non GMO, vegan friendly (as well as being dairy free.)
You are not just buying a delicious coffee creamer but a nutrient dense superfood!
This makes it a perfect choice for low carb diet fans who want more than just sugar free.
If you count your calories, then this product has the second fewest calories of any product in my list.
Creamers like this will appeal to dieters who also like to keep physically fit.
And you know what?
If you don’t like it, there is a 30 day money back guarantee.
This Terrasoul product is different than the French vanilla nutpod explained above because whereas Terrasoul uses coconut milk powder, nutpod using coconut cream.
Vita Coco Coconut Milk
Details
- Container Size: 33.8 fl oz. | 1 L
- Pack Size: 6
- Flavor: Coconut
- Calories Per Serving: 70
- Dairy Free: Yes
- Lactose Free: Yes
- Gluten Free: Yes
- Refrigerate: No need
- Find Out More
Features
And this, our third coconut creamer is a mixture of coconut water and cream- not powder.
This variety in unsweetened and so an excellent choice for those of you looking for a sugar free replacement for your coffee creamer.
And, this milk promises to be thick and smooth.
If the “feel” of a creamer is important to you, this won’t disappoint.
This milk is much thicker than some of the thin almond milks you may have been disappointed by before.
As well as being unsweetened, it boasts 50% more calcium than milk.
Surprisingly, this has the (joint) most calories per serving as any product in my comparison.
It has 70 calories per serving.
It comes in large six liter packs, great if you intend to use it in more than your coffee or if you are part of a large group who will use it as a coffee creamer.
Good Karma Unsweetened Flaxmilk
Details
- Container Size: 32 fl oz. | 1 L
- Pack Size: 6
- Flavor: Unsweetened
- Calories Per Serving: 70
- Dairy Free: Yes
- Lactose Free: Yes
- Gluten Free: Yes
- Refrigerate: After Opening
- Find Out More
Features
This is the only example of a Flax milk in my comparison.
Flax milks are more unusual than coconut milks but they are still immensely popular with users.
This milk is sugar free and it promises to be a smooth and creamy addition to your coffee.
A surprising quality of this milk is the high number of calories per serving.
It has 70.
If you are looking for a plant based dairy free creamer but you don’t like almonds or milk then this is for you!
Califia Farms Better Half Coffee Creamer
Details
- Container Size: 16.9 FL oz | 500 ml
- Pack Size: 1
- Flavor: Coconut Cream & Almond Milk
- Calories Per Serving: 15
- Dairy Free: Yes
- Lactose Free: Yes
- Gluten Free: Yes
- Refrigerate: After opening
- Find Out More
Features
Combining coconut cream and almond milk, this creamer is promising to be your better half!
The nutpod creamer which appeared on this list earlier also combines almonds and coconuts.
But this Califia creamer is unsweetened as doesn’t have a French vanilla flavor.
I think that the two products will appeal to a similar person who is looking for a sugar free creamer that is very natural.
Almond Breeze Almond Milk Unsweetened
Details
- Container Size: 32 FL oz | 946 ml
- Pack Size: 1
- Flavor: Almond Milk
- Calories Per Serving: 30
- Dairy Free: Yes
- Lactose Free: Yes
- Gluten Free: Yes
- Refrigerate: After opening
- Find Out More
Features
This is the only product that contains only almond milk on my list.
But if you are worried that this milk might be a bit watery, don’t be.
Almond breeze promises to be add a creamy texture to your coffee.
And because it is unsweetened it can be a safe and really tasty coffee creamer for people on a low carb diet.
So Delicious Cashew Milk Unsweetened
Details
- Container Size: 32 FL oz | 946 ml
- Pack Size: 1
- Flavor: Cashew Nut
- Calories Per Serving: 40
- Dairy Free: Yes
- Lactose Free: Yes
- Gluten Free: Yes
- Refrigerate: After opening
- Find Out More
Features
For my final choice, I have chosen a milk from another type of nut.
This time a popular milk made from cashew nuts.
Once again it is unsweetened which means that is sugar free and an ideal replacement for a coffee creamer if you are on a low carb diet.
