5 Coffee Creamers That Add More Sugar Than You Think
Coffee creamer is delicious, but is it derailing your diet? “Coffee creamer isn’t inherently unhealthy, but it can be an easy source of added sugar and saturated fat if portions creep up,” says Tara Collingwood, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD/N, ACSM-CPT, a Board Certified Sports Dietitian and co-author of the Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies. There can also be additives, like emulsifiers (mono- and diglycerides, polysorbate 60/80), stabilizers/thickeners (carrageenan, cellulose gum), preservatives (potassium sorbate), artificial or natural flavors, and sweeteners (sugar or non-nutritive sweeteners).” The best thing to do? Use it in moderation, or don’t use it at all. Are you curious about which coffee creamers have the most sugar, or even fake sugar? Here are 5 coffee creamers that add more sugar than you think.
Coffee Mate French Vanilla
Coffee Mate French Vanilla sweetens your coffee to perfection. “These are flavored creamers that contain added sugar and oils, which contribute calories but minimal nutritional value,” says Collingwood.
International Delight Caramel
The same goes for /International Delight Caramel: It’s delicious, but mostly because of sugar, artificial flavors, and empty calories. “That doesn’t make them dangerous, but it just means they are best used in moderation,” Collingwood points out.
Sugar-Free Coffee Mate
While Sugar-Free Coffee Mate doesn’t have real sugar, there are artificial sweeteners. Should you stay away from it? “The concern around artificial sweeteners is often overstated. These sweeteners are FDA-approved and considered safe within acceptable daily intake levels. Some people prefer to limit them due to taste preference or GI sensitivity, but they are not inherently harmful for the general population,” says Collingwood.
Starbucks Caramel Macchiato
Starbucks Caramel Macchiato is calorie-dense with processed additives. The line of Starbucks creamers, designed to taste like the expensive drinks at the coffee shop, “tends to be higher in sugar and calories per serving, so they can add up quickly if you’re using multiple servings per day,” she says.
Dunkin’ Extra Extra
The same goes for Dunkin’ Extra Extra Creamer: higher in sugar and calories. But you can still enjoy a splash in your coffe, according to Collingwood. “Again, the issue is quantity, not that these products need to be avoided completely,” she says.