These Are the Best Non-Dairy Creamers, Dietitians Say

August 28, 2024

Shutterstock

If there’s one habit I’m not willing to give up any time soon, it’s my morning latte. Since it’s something I drink daily, I’m always looking for ways to level up my favorite beverage, nutritionally speaking — whether that means switching to an organic, mold-free coffee, swapping artificially sweetened syrups for unrefined alternatives, or reaching for healthier non-dairy creamers.

Historically, coffee creamers have been loaded with problematic preservatives and trans fats (some are even banned in Europe). But there are newer alternatives that lend a rich, creamy taste without all the shady gums, oils, and fillers. And by the way — if you’re not a coffee drinker, they’re equally tasty in chai or black tea.

You asked: Is non-dairy creamer healthy?

Non-dairy creamers can be healthy, if you know what to look for. Here are some guidelines from dietitians:

Seek out non-dairy creamers that have short ingredient lists and ingredients you recognize
Avoid a lot of added sugar, and any artificial flavors or dyes, says Avery Zenker, dietitian with Everflex Fitness
If you see hydrogenated oils in the ingredients, put it back, says Lisa Moskovitz, RDN, CEO of NY Nutrition Group and author of The Core 3 Healthy Eating Plan. These oils can take a toll on your heart health

What is the healthiest non-dairy creamer?

There are a few good choices, according to the dietitians we polled.

1. Four Sigmatic Think Creamer

These certified organic non dairy creamers come in two simple but satisfying flavors, Vanilla Coconut and Cacao Coconut. Not only do they contain just 1 gram of sugar per serving, but the ingredients list is short and sweet (think: coconut milk powder and monk fruit, both organic).

“If you like your coffee to do the most in the morning, Four Sigmatic packs in an additional serving of energizing adaptogens like lion’s mane and L-theanine that also fight stress and bolster metabolic health,” Moskovitz says.

L-theanine, an amino acid derived from green tea leaves, may enhance focus and mental clarity while reducing stress and anxiety.

“I like that these creamers are free of oils, added sugars, artificial sweeteners, artificial colors, and artificial flavors,” Zenker says.

Buy it: Four Sigmatic Think Creamer

Pro tip: With powdered creamers, the best way to avoid clumps in your coffee is to use a handheld frother. Since powders don’t tend to blend as easily into cold liquids, blend these creamers in a bit of hot liquid before stirring them into a cold beverage.

2. MALK Plant-Based Creamers

All three flavors of MALK Plant-Based Creamers — vanilla almond, caramel almond, and lightly sweetened oat — are made with non-GMO ingredients like organic almonds or gluten-free oats, baking soda, Himalayan pink salt, and organic vanilla extract. While you can’t go wrong here, the caramel almond creamer stands out for its particularly nutty and nuanced taste.

Zenker notes that MALK’s non-dairy creamers also only contain 2 grams of sugar per serving and that it comes from coconut sugar — which is lower on the glycemic index than regular table sugar, so it’s less likely to negatively impact your blood sugar.

Plus, since these are liquid creamers, they mix easily into iced coffee and lattes.

Buy it: MALK Plant-Based Creamers

3. Laird Superfood Creamer: Sweet & Creamy with Adaptogens

According to Zenker, Laird’s Superfood Creamers — all of which are non-GMO verified, gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free — have an impressive nutritional profile. Not only are they free of oils, gums, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners and flavors, but they feature a beneficial boost of adaptogens like cordyceps and chaga mushroom — both fungi that may help reduce blood sugar and fight inflammation.

“The best part is that it comes in powder form, which makes it more shelf-stable than its refrigerated creamer counterparts,” Moskovitz adds.

While the Laird non-dairy creamers come in a range of flavors, the Sweet & Creamy version with Adaptogens is tough to beat thanks to its impressively low sugar content and functional ingredients.

Buy it: Laird Superfood Creamer Sweet & Creamy with Adaptogens

4. Califia Farms Organic Brown Sugar Almond Creamer

“This is another option that tops the list of quality dairy-free creamers,” says Moskovitz. “With minimal ingredients and added sugar, you can add a generous amount to your coffee without worrying about blood sugar spikes.”

Kelly Jones, RD, says the Organic Brown Sugar Almond Creamer is her personal favorite because it has a short ingredients list and is void of gums and stabilizers like carrageenan — which some research suggests may cause intestinal inflammation that contributes to issues like inflammatory bowel disease.

“It’s free of artificial sweeteners, yet still has a lightly sweet taste thanks to the real organic brown sugar,” Jones says.

This creamer contains 3 grams of added sugar per 1-tablespoon serving; keep the amount of a serving in mind when stirring it into your coffee.

Buy it: Califia Farms Organic Brown Sugar Almond Creamer

5. Elmhurst Unsweetened Cashew Creamer

This velvety plant-based creamer, which is certified gluten-free and non-GMO verified, contains oats blended with buttery cashews. It’s the simplicity of this product that gets a thumbs up from Zenker — you won’t find any oils, gums, thickeners, or emulsifiers, and it’s made with just five simple ingredients, including oat milk, cashew milk, and natural flavors.

Elmhurst’s Cashew Creamer comes in three crave-worthy flavors — Cinnamon Churro, Caramel Brûlée, and Sweet Cream — all of which contain just a pinch of cane sugar (i.e., 1 gram per serving). There’s also an unsweetened option, too.

Buy it: Elmhurst Sweet Cream Cashew Creamer