Coffee Creamer vs. Milk – Which Is Best for Your Morning Cup of Coffee?

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Some people like it black, while for others, adding dairy to a cup of coffee helps improve the taste, smoothness, and texture of the drink. 

Long ago, the main choice was did you want cream or sugar in that. In second wave coffee different variations of coffee were taken to a whole new level.

Did you want that milk steamed? foamed? shaken? stirred? plant based? if so which plant?…

Growing up, my parents always used cream in their coffee. Milk in a pinch. And powdered creamer in an absolute pinch. But does creamer now mean the same thing as it did in the 1970’s? Let’s explore.

Milk vs. non-dairy milk. Milk vs. cream. Non dairy creamers vs. dairy creamers. There are a lot of factors so there is not one clear answer. In this post I will review the considerations, pros, and cons of milks vs. creamers.

All About Coffee Creamer and Milk 

People have been adding different types milk to black coffee for hundreds of years. Today, when you walk into your local store there can be a wide range of products for you to choose from to add to your coffee. 

Although milk is still the addition of choice for many, the use of coffee creamer has become popular at home. 

What Is Coffee Creamer?

The phrase coffee creamer can apply to a number of dairy and non-dairy additives. Some people refer to these food products as a coffee whitener. 

All of these products change the flavor of your cup of coffee. 

Some may include emulsifiers to keep the oil and water components together.

Some come in powder forms, others as liquids. You may find that some contain artificial ingredients.

These days, many creamers are flavored. Pumpkin Spice, Peppermint, Hazelnut, Vanilla…

What Are the Differences Between Coffee Creamer and Milk?

There are several differences between milk and coffee creamer. First, creamers can mean Coffee-Mate powders and the liquid in those little pods (like the photo above) and are also called non-dairy creamers.

They can also mean the more premium, flavored creamers that come in bottles in the refrigerated case of your supermarket. Much of what I am saying applies to both types.

Taste

Of course, the most significant difference is in the taste. You will find that good-quality natural coffee creamers add a much creamier and richer flavor to your coffee than plain milk, especially if you are using skim milk.

The most significant difference in flavor is the option to buy creamers that have added flavors, such as vanilla, chocolate, peppermint, and more. These may be high in calories, sugars or fats, which may not be ideal for some people. 

You can also make homemade coffee creamer. Doing this allows you to be in control of the ingredients in it. This is the ideal choice for people who want complete control of what they put into their body.

Amount of Calories

Even non-dairy coffee creamers made from natural ingredients contain more calories than milk. In general, coffee creamers have sugar additives, so coffee creamer is often the less healthy option. 

But the difference in calories will depend on how much creamer you add to your coffee. This also goes for milk, as whole milk contains more calories than low-fat milk.

If you’re interested in healthier alternatives, rather than using cows milk in your coffee, replace it with unsweetened nut milk. One type of nut milk that is very popular with some coffee enthusiasts today is made with almonds, but oat and hemp milk are two other options.

You can also get “Barista” grade non-dairy milks these days. These tend to be creamier than ordinary plant based milks.

Here’s a few comparisons”

• A teaspoon of Coffee-Mate creamer contains 22 calories
• One teaspoon of whole milk is about 9 calories 
• A teaspoon of low-fat dairy milk has just 4 calories
• A teaspoon of nut milk has about 2 calories

As you can see, there is quite a difference in the number of calories in coffee creamer vs. milk. Remember, this is just a teaspoon and most people use more than that.

Things You Should Know Regarding Non-Dairy Creamers for Your Coffee

Before you think about adding liquid or powder non-dairy creamer to your coffee, you should consider the following things. 

Calling It Non-dairy Isn’t Always the Truth 

If you’re trying to avoid dairy products, you may believe that using a non-dairy creamer is the perfect solution. Non-dairy creamer may not contain lactose, but it may still have a milk protein called casein. 

Like lactose, casein is a protein found in milk that some people are sensitive or allergic to. This makes it crucial for you to closely look at the label, as this milk protein is often added to creamers to give them a more milky texture and flavor. 

These days all creamers must identify on the label if they contain the milk by-product casein in them. 

They Shouldn’t Always Be Called Creamers 

The use of the term “non-dairy creamer” is an oxymoron. How is it possible that a creamer doesn’t contain any dairy ingredients? Instead, they’ve used vegetable oils such as palm kernel or coconut oil in them. This gives it a much creamier look and taste. 

Extra Ingredients Are Added to Mimic Milk or Cream

Often as you look at the list of ingredients, creamers contain sodium, sugar, and corn syrup. These have been added to improve flavor.

You may even find food colorings and artificial sweeteners in specialty creamers. Some people may be sensitive to these.

Rather than being labeled as non-dairy coffee creamers, some are being labeled as coffee whiteners. If you have any allergies to food coloring, make sure that you read the ingredients label first. There are some varieties of these creamers that don’t contain any coloring. 

Can Boost Your Calorie Intake 

As soon as you add 1-2 teaspoons of non-dairy creamer into your coffee, the number of calories and fat you consume will go up. Bumping this up to 2-3 teaspoons can make a big impact if you need to watch your calories. 

Some May Contain Trans Fats 

You need to be careful, as this type of fat is detrimental to your health. Trans fats should be kept to a minimum in your diet.

So, before you buy any coffee creamer, check the label to see if it contains any kind of trans fat.

Note that if it contains less than .5 grams of trans fat, it will appear as 0 grams on the label. Companies are allowed to round down here, which can hide trace amounts of trans-fat.

Non-Dairy Creamers Can Go Bad 

One of the benefits of using products like Coffee-Mate coffee creamer is that they last longer than cream or milk. But this doesn’t mean that they won’t expire at some point. So make sure that you check the label to see when the best-by or use-by date is. 

If it smells sour or off, or starts to separate–toss it.

Is Including Creamer a Good Idea for Leading a Healthy Lifestyle? 

It all depends. Most creamers come with added sugar content and saturated fat, such as those made using corn syrup. Adding these types of coffee creamers to your coffee isn’t suitable if you are trying to lose weight. 

There are so many different brands and variations, you really need to check the labels.

Specifically look for:

• total calories
• total sugars (every 4 grams is about 1 tsp. of sugar)
• total fats, especially saturated fats and trans fats
• artificial flavors and colorings

Pros and Cons of Using Coffee Creamer 

Suitable for Those Who Suffer From Food Allergies 

Coffee creamer can be an excellent choice for people who are allergic to milk because of lactose or casein sensitivities.

Be Wary of the Ingredients Used

Unfortunately, most creamers are made in factories without using any kind of natural ingredients.

Instead, they are made up of a lot of oils, sugars, and additives. These have been heavily processed, so they will not be beneficial to your health. 

Pros and Cons of Using Milk in Coffee 

Contains Fewer Calories

Milk you from cows and goats contains fewer calories than coconut milk, which has higher levels of saturated fats. 

Milk also contains fewer calories than coffee creamer does. In 100 g of whole milk, there is 61 kcal, whereas in 100 g of coffee creamer, there is 136 kcal. 

For both of these coffee additions, you will find that most of their calories come from the fats and sugars they contain. 

Includes More Protein 

Compared to Coffee-Mate liquid creamer, the amount of protein found in milk is relatively easy to see.

In 100 g of coffee creamer, you will find it only contains 1 g of protein. Whereas in 100 g of whole milk, it has 3.1 g of protein.

Frothing and Foaming

Cow’s milk can be frothed into a cold foam, which is a popular topping on cold brew.

Alternative milks may not work as well for frothing and foaming, and the textures will be different than cows milk.