Do you suffer from a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance? If you do, finding dairy-free ingredients to add to your food or beverages can be a hassle.

Most of us need creamer and sweetener to reduce the bitterness of coffee in order to enjoy its flavor. It’s the reason we add dairy, such as whole milk or half – and- half to coffee.

Most of the creamers on grocery store shelves that taste good contain dairy. These dairy products don’t work for people suffering from dairy allergies. That’s why non-dairy creamers are so popular.

What is a Non-Dairy Creamer?

Non-dairy creamer is a liquid or powder used in place of dairy creamer in coffee brewing to give it a frothy and thick texture. These creamers also flavor coffee and reduce its acidity.

The first non-dairy creamer was developed in 1943 by an employee of a company called Rich Products named Holton Diamond.

That opened the door for different food companies to experiment with recipes for non-dairy creamer. The first great non-dairy creamer, called Coffee-Mate, was produced by the Carnation Company in 1961.

The invention of Coffee-Mate was followed by the introduction of Cremora non-dairy creamer to the market in 1963.

Since then, various non-dairy creamers have been introduced to the coffee market. People who take them are dieters and those suffering from a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance.

 

What is Used to Make Non-Dairy Creamer?

Non-dairy creamer is made with vegetable oils such as palm oil or coconut oil to give it the creaminess that milk or cream gives dairy creamers.

Many people prefer non-dairy creamers made from plant milk alternatives such as soy, almond, and oat milk.

Most of these creamers are protein-based, and they do not contain ingredients we consider harmful such as artificial thickeners or food colorings,

They also come in different flavors, such as pumpkin spice, French vanilla, caramel, and hazelnut, that give coffee a delicious taste.

Another reason we love non-dairy creamer is that it’s low in calories. You may wonder just how much? Here is some information on the calorie content in non-dairy creamer.

 

Calories in Non-Dairy Coffee Creamer

If you are a regular coffee drinker, creamer is at the top of the list when it comes to your favorite coffee additives.

Non-dairy creamer is especially popular because it contains few calories, carbs, and fats. How many calories does it contain exactly?

Most non-dairy coffee creamers contain 10 -15 calories per tablespoon depending on the brand. These calories are mostly from vegetable oils such as coconut oil, thickeners such as corn syrup, and flavored sweeteners like Irish cream.

If you are looking for a non-dairy creamer that will fit your dietary choices, the best option are the low-sugar, low-fat options. Vegan options are also great because they contain nutritious ingredients such as cocoa powder and coconut.

 

Does Non-Dairy Mean Dairy-Free?

Although you may feel like non-dairy creamer means it’s completely free of dairy, that’s not the case. Many of these creamers contain casein, whey, and other milk derivatives.

So if you suffer from milk allergies, always go for creamers labeled dairy-free. This will ensure you do not trigger an allergic reaction and suffer from hives or anaphylactic shock from consuming non-dairy creamers with milk derivatives in them.

Creamers labeled “lactose-free” are also not suitable for people with dairy allergies. Lactose is a milk sugar found in dairy products that cause reactions such as stomach pains, bloating, and diarrhea.

Lactose-free creamers usually contain some form of dairy even if they’ve had this milk sugar removed. They are not suitable for people suffering from an allergy to dairy and do not qualify as non-dairy creamers for most people.

 

Conclusion

Now you know how many calories are in non-dairy creamer. Although these creamers have a reputation for being flavorless or light, they can be just as good as the dairy kind.

You must experiment with a few before getting the right non-dairy creamer. That’s a creamer that will give your coffee a pleasant taste and velvety mouthfeel. It should also emulsify in coffee without separating.

The most popular non-dairy creamers guaranteed to give your coffee a great consistency are those made of almond milk and coconut cream or MCT oil.

You can buy them from grocery stores like Trader Joe’s or online from websites that sell health foods and organic products.