When I first read the ingredients in an artificial coffee whitener I picked up I thought, "Yuck! I would no sooner pour corn syrup and wesson oil into my coffee to flavor it; why choose a product like this?" Many people choose coffee creamers over regular cream for different reasons: some think it tastes better, some may find it more convenient to keep longer in their refrigerator; most people probably think it's healthier for them... well, think again! Here are some examples of what your beverage lightener may contain:
International Delight Non-Dairy French Vanilla flavored singles (less than an ounce) each contain 40 Calories, 2 grams of fat and 5 grams of sugar. The ingredients in Coffee Mate liquid begin with water, partially hydrogenated oil, and sugar. If you're a Cremora fan, read on: one ounce (2 Tablespoons) contains 60 Calories, half of which are from fat (that's 3 grams of fat), and 6 grams of carbohydrate from corn syrup solids and sugar.
Still think the artificial creamers are better for you? My advice: How about a shot of real milk in your coffee! One ounce of 2% milk adds 4% of your daily value of calcium, 3% of your daily need for vitamin D, 3% of your daily riboflavin requirement, along with potassium, vitamin B12 and vitamin A, all for only 15 Calories. If you like more than a small shot to whiten your coffee, the artificial creamers just keep adding oils and sugar, whereas milk will continue to add nutrition to your morning beverage. And just an FYI; if you use skim milk you get slightly more nutrition (in place of the fat) in just 10 Calories per ounce.