Non-Dairy Creamer
Adding a few tablespoons of milk to your coffee couldn’t be more common and, at the very least, you know that what’s in that milk.
But non-dairy creamer? It’s creamy, sure, and rich and delicious. It even comes in a variety of flavors like mocha and hazelnut. But what is it, exactly, if not a dairy product?
The answer may surprise you — and it’s the reason why non-dairy creamer is one of the worst ingredients to add to your coffee, especially if you are concerned about weight loss and belly fat.
Despite it name, creamers don’t actually contain cream, reports Food Network.
“They're nothing but concoctions of oil, sugar and thickeners. To make matters worse, the oils are the partially hydrogenated kind. While a one-tablespoon serving contains less than 0.5 grams of this super unhealthy trans fat, slurping this every morning will quickly pile up.”
There’s a good reason to avoid trans fats — they’re associated with weight gain, belly fat, and other health risks that include Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Unfortunately, non-fat and low-fat non-dairy creamers are no better — nor are actual dairy creamers that contain milk.
“They're made from the same mixture of unhealthy oils, thickeners, plus additional chemicals from artificial sweeteners--it just doesn't seem worth the 10 to 20 calorie savings,” reports Food Network. “Even varieties that contain real dairy are spiked with thickeners and stabilizers.”
If you’ve turned to non-dairy creamer because you are lactose intolerant or not in love with the taste of milk, the great news is that there are more than a handful of milk alternatives that are worthy substitutes.
Try replacing creamer with almond milk, flax milk, or soy milk for creaminess and rich flavor in your coffee.