If you like creamer in your coffee, you’re not alone. Millions of people add creamer to their daily coffee to make it taste better. But exactly how much creamer should you be adding to your coffee?
The amount of creamer you put in your coffee depends on your personal preference. It’s generally recommended to start with 1 to 2 tablespoons. The type of creamer may affect the amount you need.
This article will teach you everything you need to know about adding creamer to your coffee. By the end, you will be able to create a perfect creamy cup of joe.
Table of Contents
- What’s the Average Amount of Creamer People Add to Coffee?
- Is Creamer Healthy for You?
- Does It Matter If Your Creamer is Sugar-free or Fat-free?
- Does the Amount Change If It’s Powdered Creamer vs. Liquid Creamer?
- Does the Amount Change with Plant-Based Creamers?
- Should You Add Creamer with Milk to Coffee or Alone?
- Final Thoughts
What’s the Average Amount of Creamer People Add to Coffee?
Most people will add somewhere between 1 to 2 tablespoons of creamer to their coffee. On average, this adds about 35 to 70 calories to your coffee.
Some people will add more or less. It does take some experimentation to figure out the amount that’s best for you.
Using a measuring spoon, you can start standardizing it to get the perfect flavor each time.
You will likely need less creamer than if you added plain milk to your coffee. This is because creamer generally has a sweeter flavor than milk.
Is Creamer Healthy for You?
Your health is something to consider when adding creamer to your coffee. Coffee creamer isn’t exactly healthy for you.
Many creamers at the store have vegetable oil and carrageenan to improve the texture. These additives also help stabilize the mixture.
Carrageenan has specifically been linked to harmful effects on your gut. Consider looking for creamers that do not contain this ingredient.
Creamers can also be high in added sugar or saturated fat. Both of these ingredients can have adverse effects on your cardiovascular system and your blood sugar levels.
For these reasons, you probably shouldn't add large amounts of creamer to your coffee. But when consumed in small amounts, creamer likely won't negatively impact your health.
Does It Matter If Your Creamer is Sugar-free or Fat-free?
You may be tempted to look for sugar-free or fat-free creamers to make your creamer healthier.
If you have diabetes, sugar-free creamer is necessary for your health. But otherwise, sugar-free or fat-free creamers are not much better for you.
They usually add more sugar to improve the taste if it's fat-free. And if it’s sugar-free, they tend to add more fat to enhance the taste. But if you like the taste of one of those options, that’s fine.
Both sugar-free and fat-free creamers will taste relatively similar to normal creamer. The sugar-free one may taste slightly more artificial in its sweetness, though.
Considering this, you will typically add the same amount of creamer with these options as you would using a normal creamer. Start with 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar-free or fat-free creamer in your coffee. You can adjust it from there.
Does the Amount Change If It’s Powdered Creamer vs. Liquid Creamer?
Creamer also comes in a powdered form. You might be wondering if you should add the same amount of powdered creamer as liquid creamer.
Generally speaking, you will need to add less powdered creamer to your coffee. It’s recommended to start with 1 to 3 teaspoons of powdered creamer.
The powdered creamer tends to be sweeter. This is why you will probably add less than liquid creamer.
Many people find that powdered creamer does not give the same creamy texture as liquid creamer. Ultimately, you have to try it and decide for yourself.
The one advantage of powdered creamer is it has a better shelf life. And a little powdered creamer goes a long way, so it may last longer.
Does the Amount Change with Plant-Based Creamers?
Another factor to consider when determining how much creamer to add is if you have a plant-based creamer.
Plant-based creamers will typically have less fat than standard dairy creamers. This can make them taste slightly less creamy.
However, plant-based creamers are much more concentrated than plant-based milk. For this reason, it’s still suggested to start with the standard 1 to 2 tablespoons of creamer.
It may also depend slightly on the plant base in the creamer. Almond and oat milk creamers will be slightly less fatty than coconut-based creamers. You may need more almond or oat milk creamers than coconut ones.
Should You Add Creamer with Milk to Coffee or Alone?
If you are adding both cream and milk to your coffee, the ratios may change. Some people like adding just a splash of creamer for flavor and using normal milk for the creaminess.
If opting for this method, it’s probably best to start with just one tablespoon of creamer.
Keep in mind that by adding both milk and creamer to your coffee, you are adding calories. So while it may significantly enhance your coffee's taste, consider adding just one or the other—not both.
Final Thoughts
There are no specific guidelines for how much creamer to add to your coffee. Your personal taste buds will help determine the perfect amount for you.
It’s generally suggested to start with 1 to 2 tablespoons of creamer. This adds, on average, 35 to 70 calories. If you only add this amount, it shouldn’t be detrimental to your health.
Many store-bought creamers may have additives like vegetable oil or carrageenan. These additives are unhealthy for you, so it’s better to not add large amounts to your coffee.
You want to start with less when adding powdered creamer to your coffee. Try 1 to 3 teaspoons at a time and add more as needed. With plant-based creamers, you will want to start with 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time.
No matter what creamer you use, it’s important not to be heavy-handed with your pour. This will keep you healthy while allowing you to enjoy a creamy and tasty cup of coffee.
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