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Fat free or sugar free?

Alishia6606
Alishia6606 Posts: 140 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I was looking to change up my coffee creamer. Coffee is big for me. I typically use coffee mate or international delight. I have cut my amount down to 1/4 of what I used to have, but still want it a little healthier. I have seen the sugar free and fat free options, but not sure which one is healthier.

Replies

  • Chef_Barbell
    Chef_Barbell Posts: 6,644 Member
    Depends on your goals. I personally think 35 calories per TBSP for the regular version is not that high in calories.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    Depends on your needs.

    I have insulin resistance and follow a LCHF diet so I would go with sugar free.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Skim milk? Lower calories.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    edited September 2016
    Or, how about 1/2 portion of whichever creamer you like and some milk?

    The small amount of fat and or sugar isn't that much if you only have a couple cups a day. I use a half cup of 1% milk and one ounce of homemade chocolate syrup (cocoa powder and sugar and water.) I control all the ingredients. 70 cals per cup X 2 cups a day and worth every calorie.
  • Habiteer
    Habiteer Posts: 190 Member
    IIFYM, plan your ingredients based on what fits your macros best. Sugarfree is probably better in general, as most people probably get more carbs than they actually use.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    Depends on your definition of healthy. Are you just looking to save some cals? I think it is a 10 cal difference between the regular and the fat free, and maybe 20 cals for the sugar free. I drink about 3 cups a day so a little over 100 cals from creamer when I use the regular. That's totally manageable within my day. Depending on how many cups of coffee you drink, 10-20 cals/cup could save you some cals but I don't think there is anything particularly healthier about the sugar free or fat free versions, if you don't have a medical reason to restrict sugar or fat?
  • angel7472
    angel7472 Posts: 317 Member
    Personally I tried to cut out my french vanilla creamer. I tried the sugar free and hated it. I ended up going back to the regular version and just fit it into my macros. Now I drink it everyday and am a much happy camper and my family also likes me more :)
  • flagrantavidity
    flagrantavidity Posts: 218 Member
    edited September 2016
    It depends on why you use the creamer?

    If it's for sweetness I say use a zero calorie sweetener only. If you are cutting down the acidity by using a creamer, use skim milk only.

    If you are looking to cut acidity and add sweetness use a combination of both.

    If you are looking for an added flavor go for a sugar free creamer and use as little as needed to get that additional flavor your looking for.

    If your just looking for a caffeine boost, buy some caffeine pills, much cheaper than coffee and creamer. :wink: (I would suggest caffeine+theanine if you were to go the caffeine pill route)
  • Alishia6606
    Alishia6606 Posts: 140 Member
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    Depends on your definition of healthy. Are you just looking to save some cals? I think it is a 10 cal difference between the regular and the fat free, and maybe 20 cals for the sugar free. I drink about 3 cups a day so a little over 100 cals from creamer when I use the regular. That's totally manageable within my day. Depending on how many cups of coffee you drink, 10-20 cals/cup could save you some cals but I don't think there is anything particularly healthier about the sugar free or fat free versions, if you don't have a medical reason to restrict sugar or fat?

    I don't have any particular reason, except cutting calories. I have a large cup (biggest setting on the keurig) and 4 tbsp of creamer. Comes out to about 145 calories (including the coffee). I have one sometimes 2 cups a day. I am usually really close to or over on my sugar, but also on my fats.
  • Alishia6606
    Alishia6606 Posts: 140 Member
    flagrantavidity wrote: »
    It depends on why you use the creamer?

    If it's for sweetness I say use a zero calorie sweetener only. If you are cutting down the acidity by using a creamer, use skim milk only.

    If you are looking to cut acidity and add sweetness use a combination of both.

    If you are looking for an added flavor go for a sugar free creamer and use as little as needed to get that additional flavor your looking for.

    If your just looking for a caffeine boost, buy some caffeine pills, much cheaper than coffee and creamer. :wink: (I would suggest caffeine+theanine if you were to go the caffeine pill route)

    I do it for the flavors and caffeine boost. I
    Don't like the taste of coffee alone and usually end up dumping sugar into the cup to cut the flavor down. I tried cutting coffee out completely and I can't make it through the day without a nap.
  • 87sid
    87sid Posts: 67 Member
    edited September 2016
    I don't know which is healthier, but I like to have more fat than carbs. I don't like sugar free liquid creamer, just the regular. So I get sugar free Coffeemate powdered vanilla carmel. You can use a small amount and get a decent amount of sweet and creamy ness. And I put the powder in last so it doesn't get clumpy.
    ETA: have you considered using Stevia or a sugar substitute? So you don't have to put so much regular sugar in it. If you are over on your fats then you could get fat free. Or both.
  • zbobbsemple
    zbobbsemple Posts: 38 Member
    I use fat free because I have to watch my fat intake with my body type (pear). And it does not taste as though I am missing anything. I do not drink a lot of coffee, tea is my preference usually caffeine free and I don't use any sweetener.
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