Half-and-half and creamer are often interchanged as terms, yet each have drastically differing nutritional profiles. Although their names might suggest otherwise, these two products contain vastly different nutrition profiles. Half-and-half is actually an emulsified mix of milk and fat that’s often fattier than whole milk with higher saturated fat content than either milk or cream alone – not to mention often having more sugar added or possibly additional oils or gums for flavor enhancement.

Standard and low-fat half-and-half can contain anywhere from one to 3.3 grams of saturated fat per tablespoon, depending on the brand. That can lead to increased cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease; but there are healthier options if you want to cut back.

Some products, like the Trader Joe’s Half-and-Half, contain only one gram of saturated fat per tablespoon and are produced using milk from cows not treated with rBST (which some consumers do not prefer). Furthermore, its packaging comes from sustainable sources such as FSC-Certified Forests or other controlled sources to further ensure sustainability.

Kemps Select Half-and-Half creamer is another deliciously refreshing alternative, made from milk and cream from family farms and with no added sugar, preservatives, emulsifiers or carrageenan which may cause difficulty for some individuals in digesting it. Available at mainstream and natural food grocers alike (Kroger family of stores, Whole Foods Market and Sprouts among them), it comes in both refrigerated and shelf stable versions for added convenience.

As an alternative to dairy-based coffee creamers, try plant-based options such as Prymal’s coconut milk-based creamer. Designed specifically to address diabetes symptoms by using sugar substitutes that won’t spike blood sugar levels like table sugar would, this creamer comes in delicious flavors such as birthday cake, cinnamon dolce, smores, Santa’s cookies and salted caramel!

There are many healthier options for creating creamy cups of joe, outside of plant-based alternatives. Many use less saturated fat and other ingredients like guar gum, gellan gum and xanthan gum to achieve their signature creamy consistency, such as no-calorie sweeteners such as stevia extract or erythritol for sweetness without raising blood sugar levels.

No matter which creamer you select, always read its ingredients list carefully to verify it does not contain sugar and artificial flavors. Furthermore, look for products using safer thickeners, such as guar gum or xanthan gum which have not been linked with digestive issues in some studies.

If you’re lactose intolerant, try Silk’s dairy-free creamer made of soy and tapioca starch for a tasty alternative that won’t have quite as thick of a consistency, yet will still taste good in most recipes. Additionally, its lactose-free nature will be gentle on your stomach if dairy sensitivity or intolerance is an issue; both refrigerated and shelf stable versions are readily available at major retailers or online.