Making the switch: Coffee Creamer

Throughout my personal search for living a healthier life, I have decided to switch some of my favorite foods for their healthier counterparts. Last week I discussed my change in bread. I traded my lifetime of whole wheat bread for 12 grain multigrain bread. The results (for me) were uplifting, insightful and overall enjoyable. This week I have decided to switch my coffee creamer.

I discussed in a previous article The truth about your coffee creamer, that I grew up as a strict black coffee drinker. This quickly changed as my husband introduced me to French vanilla creamer in the beginning of our relationship. Eight years of French vanilla coffee drinking later and I am ready to trade it in for a healthier option.

So, here I am! I decided to first give almond milk a try. I bought the vanilla flavor to ease into the transition. Turns out that the creamer made with almond milk and almond milk itself are quite different. I liked that the almond milk had 5 calories per tablespoon, unlike our original creamer which had 25 calories per tablespoon. Though it didn’t make a great creamer in coffee as far as flavor is concerned.

I was not about to give up hope. I am now trying a coffee creamer made with almond milk. This creamer offers a far better vanilla flavor compared to the vanilla flavored almond milk. However, the creamer is higher in calories than the regular Almond Milk and is actually similar to the calorie amount in our previous creamer.  I also found that the Almond Milk Creamer did not mix well in the coffee.

The following is a breakdown comparison between our previous French vanilla creamer and the almond milk vanilla creamer.

Original French vanilla creamer vs. Almond milk vanilla creamer

So, what is the bottom line? Seems to me that I have fallen victim to false marketing. We have been told by various media networks and television commercials that almond milk products are the better option. However, I see now that turning to almond milk creamer as an appropriate switch from my original creamer is not the healthier option, necessarily. Therefore, the hunt for a proper replacement continues!

The search for healthy French Vanilla Creamer alternatives

So, in my research, I continuously run into similar issues as far as the nutrition label on various coffee creamers. In general, they are similar in calories, lack of try nutritional value, and ingredients. So, I now believe that the best course of action for a healthier coffee creamer alternative is to make my own! I stumbled on the following recipes created by the Nutrition Twins at www.nutritiontwins.com. These two recipes were not only appealing to me but, they seemed appropriate for the season!

Homemade Coffee Creamers

Serves: 32 for each creamer

To make a full batch of coffee creamer, stir in the ingredients below with 4 cups of skim milk or almond milk. Simmer on the stove top and whisk until all ingredients are evenly distributed and mixed well and the mixture begins to steam. Let cool for 10 minutes and store in the refrigerator for 7-10 days. You can adjust amounts if desired to add more or less flavor.

Cinnamon Burst Coffee Creamer

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 tbsp brown sugar

White Chocolate Coffee Creamer

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

1 tsp. cocoa powder

I am much more excited about these two replacement options for my original creamer than I am about any of the store-bought ones I have researched. I am primarily excited about the ingredients list! They are simple and accessible and I am happy to say that my search is finally over!