If you have high cholesterol, your morning cup of coffee may be a bit tricky. Black coffee can be too bitter for some palates, but loading up your brew with cream and sugar isn’t ideal either. The good news is, there are many healthy coffee creamer options that can allow you to still enjoy your coffee without tanking your cholesterol levels.
In this article, we tested and reviewed 5 of the most popular coffee creamers designed for high cholesterol diets. We evaluated the taste, texture, nutrition profile, ingredients, and value of each creamer. Keep reading to see which coffee creamers came out on top!
Benefits of Using Coffee Creamer for High Cholesterol
Adding a splash of coffee creamer to your morning joe offers several advantages if you are watching your cholesterol:
Enhances the flavor – Coffee creamers impart richness and creamy mouthfeel compared to black coffee, without excessive bitterness.
Non-dairy options – Many coffee creamers today are made from plant-based ingredients like coconut, almond, oat, and soy milk. These non-dairy creamers eliminate the saturated fat and cholesterol found in traditional dairy creamers.
Increased antioxidants – Some coffee creamers feature added superfoods like turmeric, cocoa, cinnamon, and berries that boost the antioxidant content of your coffee.
Pros and Cons of Coffee Creamers for High Cholesterol
Pros:
- Enjoyable taste and creamy, smooth texture
- Non-dairy options significantly reduce cholesterol and saturated fat intake compared to dairy creamers
- Convenient way to make coffee more palatable without adding sugar
- Can increase intake of healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
Cons:
- Some coffee creamers still contain processed ingredients, vegetable oils, and added sugar
- Most specialty creamers come with a higher price tag than basic dairy creamers
- Flavor and performance can vary greatly between brands
Our Top Picks:
Elmhurst Oat Creamer – Best plant-based creamer, provides richness without the saturated fat
Good & Gather Oatmilk Creamer – Most affordable vegan creamer with a creamy sweet flavor
Why We Pick Elmhurst Oat Creamer And Good & Gather Oatmilk Creamer
Elmhurst Oat Creamer:
- Provides creamy, rich texture without saturated fat from dairy
- Uses simple, high-quality ingredients like oat milk
- Naturally low in sugar with less than 1g per serving
- Foams well for specialty coffee drinks without curdling
- Free of gums, oils, and emulsifiers
Good & Gather Oatmilk Creamer:
- Affordable price at just $2.29 for 16 oz
- Accessible at Target stores across the US
- Provides subtly sweet oat flavor and smooth mouthfeel
- Dairy-free and vegan, eliminating cholesterol
- No artificial flavors or preservatives
Elmhurst Oat Creamer was chosen for its exceptional texture and flavor from oat milk, while Good & Gather Oatmilk Creamer offers an affordable, accessible plant-based creamer option. Both provide the benefits of dairy-free creamers without added sugars or artificial ingredients.
Our Full Reviews: 5 Best Coffee Creamers for High Cholesterol
Here are more in-depth reviews of each of the 5 coffee creamers we tested for high cholesterol diets:
1. Laird Superfood Creamer
Product Description: Creamy coconut milk powder creamer. Advertised as being dairy-free, non-GMO, and good for heart health. We tried the original flavor.
Testing Details: Added to morning coffee for 1 week and evaluated taste, texture, mixability, and impact on cholesterol levels.
Features and Benefits:
- Vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, no cholesterol
- Provides MCTs for sustained energy
- Contains Aquamin sea minerals
- Flavored with coconut sugar and vanilla
Performance: The creamer dispersed smoothly when stirred into hot coffee with no clumping. It imparted a pleasant, subtle natural coconut flavor without tasting overpowering. The texture was velvety and viscous, adding nice rich mouthfeel.
Ease of Use: The coconut powder creamer is easy to scoop out and stir into coffee until dissolved. Mixes seamlessly without a frother.
Pros and Cons:
+ Provides healthy fats from coconuts without cholesterol
+ Adds nice coconut flavor and creamy texture
+ No added sugar
– Can become grainy if not fully incorporated
– On the expensive side
Value for Money: $18 for a 16 oz bag. Given the high-quality ingredients and nutrition boost, we feel this creamer provides good value. A little goes a long way.
Bottom Line: This natural coconut powder creamer is one of the best options for adding rich flavor and texture to coffee without adversely affecting cholesterol levels. It mixes smoothly and delivers a luxurious mouthfeel. The price is high compared to basic creamers but reasonable for a specialty product.
2. Primal Kitchen Collagen Creamer
Product Description: Creamer containing collagen peptides and MCT oil powder. Advertised to improve hair, skin, nails and joint health. We tried the hazelnut flavor.
Testing Details: Used daily in morning coffee for 2 weeks and evaluated taste, consistency, health benefits, and cholesterol impact.
Features and Benefits:
- 11g collagen per serving from grass-fed bovine sources
- 5g MCT oil powder for ketogenic diets
- No dairy ingredients
Performance: This creamer blended into hot coffee with ease, leaving a rich and velvety consistency with no oily residue. The flavor was well-balanced, imparting a lovely nutty sweetness without tasting artificial. It foamed up nicely.
Ease of Use: Very easy to simply scoop and stir into any hot or cold coffee beverage. Dissolves seamlessly.
Pros and Cons:
Added protein and healthy fats from MCT oil
+ May improve skin, hair, nails, and joints
+ Keto and paleo-friendly
contains coconut so it is not suitable for tree nut allergies
– Only has 14 servings per container
Value for Money: $40 for a 13.5-ounce tub with about 14 servings. This works out to almost $3 per serving, making it quite pricey compared to regular liquid creamers. However, the collagen content provides added nutritional value.
Bottom Line: This MCT and collagen-enriched creamer is a pricier option, but provides the benefits of protein, healthy fats, and extra nutrition. It has a silky texture and delicious flavor. The main drawback is the small container size and high cost per serving.
3. Elmhurst Oat Creamer
Product Description: Creamy barista-style oat milk creamer with a rich caramel macchiato flavor. It is advertised as being extra foamy.
Testing Details: We tested this in homemade lattes and cappuccinos for 5 days and compared the flavor and consistency to regular dairy milk.
Features and Benefits:
- Provides creamy texture without saturated fat and cholesterol of dairy
- Oat milk contributes heart-healthy soluble fiber
- Just 1g of sugar per serving
- Free from gums, emulsifiers, and stabilizers
Performance: This oat creamer foamed and steamed beautifully, with rich and dense foam topping our lattes. The texture was smooth, creamy, and luxurious. It had a lovely caramel aroma and flavor that was not overly sweet.
Ease of Use: It is very easy to pour and mix into any coffee drink, hot or cold. The thickness prevented curdling or separation.
Pros and Cons:
+ Low sugar and uses clean, simple ingredients
Foams and textures specialty coffee drinks well
Runnier consistency compared to dairy creamers
Caramel taste is divisive; some dislike it
Value for Money: $5.49 for one 16-ounce carton, which offers good value for a higher end plant-based creamer made with whole food ingredients.
Bottom Line: This oat milk creamer excels at providing silky, dairy-free texture and foam for lattes and cappuccinos. The light caramel flavor is polarizing but appealing if you enjoy sweeter profiles. Overall, this is an excellent non-dairy creamer with just 1g sugar per serving.
4. Good & Gather Oatmilk Creamer
Product Description: A sweet, creamy coffee creamer made from oat milk. Offered under Target’s affordable private label, the Good & Gather brand.
Testing Details: We added this to morning coffee for 1 week and evaluated texture, taste, sweetness, and value compared to other plant-based creamers.
Features and Benefits:
Dairy-free, vegan, no artificial flavors
- Oat milk provides creamy texture without dairy
- Subtle natural sweetness
Performance: This mix blended smoothly into hot and iced coffee with no separation. It created a rich, velvety mouthfeel. The oat flavor was pleasantly subtle. The sweetness level was moderate – not overpowering.
Ease of Use: It is very easy to pour and stir into any coffee drink. Did not curdle or clump up.
Pros and Cons:
+ Affordable price point
accessible major grocery chains
containsegetable oils like canola and sunflower
– Not organic
Value for Money: $2.29 for a 16-ounce bottle, making this one of the most budget-friendly non-dairy creamers on the market. The value for the cost is exceptional.
Bottom Line: For an affordable but delicious oat milk creamer, Good & Gather hits the spot. It imparts creamy texture and a hint of sweetness without breaking the bank. The main downsides are the use of vegetable oil and lack of organic certification. But for the price, it stacks up well against pricier competitors.
5. NutPods French Vanilla
Product Description: Non-dairy creamer combining almond and coconut milk. Sweet french vanilla flavor.
Testing Details: We added this to coffee daily for 5 days and judged texture, taste, and nutrition compared to other nut-based creamers.
Features and Benefits:
Vegan, keto, Whole30-approved, no added sugar
- Contains just 10 calories per serving
- Rich in MCTs from coconut milk
- Free of common allergens
Performance: This blended seamlessly into hot and cold coffee with no oily separation. The texture was perfectly smooth, creamy, and frothy. It had a bold and aromatic french vanilla scent and flavor.
Ease of Use: Easy to pour a splash into coffee and mix in without any clumping or curdling.
Pros and Cons:
+ Low in calories, carbs, and sugar
rich flavor and velvety texture
– More expensive than basic dairy creamers
Value for Money: $18.81 for a 4-pack of 11-ounce cartons. While not cheap, this specialty nut creamer is on par value-wise with other gourmet plant-based brands.
Bottom Line: For a luscious, decadent french vanilla flavor that froths coffee beautifully, Nutpods is a winning choice. Although not the most affordable option, it delivers on rich taste and quality ingredients. The smooth, creamy texture outperforms many competitors.
What to Look for in a Coffee Creamer for High Cholesterol
When evaluating coffee creamers for a high-cholesterol diet, here are some key things to look out for:
Non-dairy: Dairy contains cholesterol, so plant-based creamers are ideal. Look for ones made with almond, coconut, oat, soy, hemp, or nut milk.
Heart-healthy fats: Look for creamers with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats from nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils high in omega-3s and omega-6s. Avoid saturated and trans fats.
Low sugar: Select creamers low in added sugar and free from high fructose corn syrup. Natural sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, and erythritol are better options.
Clean ingredients: Choose creamers with recognizable, whole food ingredients. Avoid artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
Calcium and vitamin D: Many plant-based creamers are fortified with these nutrients normally found in dairy.
Keto-friendly: Look for MCT oil or powder if you are following a ketogenic diet.
Tips for Using Coffee Creamer with High Cholesterol
- Gradually transition from full-fat dairy creamers to non-dairy and reduced fat options. This allows your taste buds to adjust.
- Use small amounts of creamer to lightly enhance coffee flavor, rather than making a coffee-flavored creamer drink.
- Stir the creamer vigorously before adding to prevent oil separation. Mix the hot coffee well to fully incorporate.
- Be mindful of serving sizes; limit to 1-2 tablespoons max per cup of coffee.
- Froth with a milk frother to enhance texture and prevent curdling.
- Store open creamers in the refrigerator and use within a week for freshness.
- Sweeten with natural options like cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and cardamom rather than sugar.
- Consider making your own homemade coffee creamer using skim milk, coconut milk, or nut milk.
The Bottom Line
Enjoying coffee with creaminess and flavor is possible even with high cholesterol. We hope our reviews have helped identify some stellar coffee creamers that allow you to avoid dairy without sacrificing a rich, smooth texture and taste. Our top picks are the Elmhurst Oat Creamer for its bubbly foam and Good & Gather Oatmilk Creamer for its affordability and accessibility. With so many plant-based and low-sugar creamers available, you’re sure to find one that suits your palate and diet!
