What Is Non-Dairy Creamer Made Of?
There’s nothing like a creamy, delicious hot beverage in the morning to start the day off right! If you want to go vegan, you should make the switch to a non-dairy creamer as soon as you can because this is one of the easiest swaps you can make.
Not all non-dairy creamers are made equal though — some are highly processed and loaded with sugar or artificial sweeteners, while others are more natural and possibly higher in fat. Others get around both issues, achieving the perfect consistency with both low-fat and low-sugar natural plants. Let’s take a look at some of the possible ingredients you may find in your non-dairy creamer.
Casein
Surprised? Your non-dairy creamer may not actually be vegan, unless specified as such. That’s because many contain casein, the main protein found in milk. Make sure to double-check next time you purchase a carton.
Coconut Cream
In the absence of cream, coconut cream is always a great, similarly rich alternative. The problem with this ingredient is that it’s high in saturated fat, so you’ll want to be careful not to go overboard if it’s used in your favorite brand!
Palm Oil
Some brands opt for this not-so-eco-friendly oil with a thick, rich texture. It may do wonders for your coffee’s consistency and taste, but if you’re trying to look out for the planet, you’ll probably want to steer clear of this common ingredient.
Natural Flavors
This tricky ingredient could mean anything! If you’re unsure whether your non-dairy creamer is vegan, and it contains “natural flavors”, know that this ingredient could have been made using animal-derived ingredients (including castoreum, which is derived from a beaver’s anal glands). If the creamer is labelled as vegan on the product or website, no need to worry about hidden animal-derived ingredients in the “natural flavors” ingredient, although keep in mind it may possibly contain MSG.
Natural Gums (gellan, xanthan, locust bean, acacia, etc.)
If you spot one of these gums in your creamer, not to worry! Although they don’t provide any added nutrition, they are simply plant-based thickeners. These gums also likely allowed the brand to achieve a creamy texture without added fat from nuts, coconut cream, or palm oil.
Potassium Citrate
This is an additive used in even more natural, certified vegan creamers. It’s considered GRAS or “generally recognized as safe” by the FDA. Since it’s also used as a supplement or treatment, any possible side effects are typically linked to its medical uses.
That said, we’d like to clarify that ingredients like palm oil and casein are usually found in non-dairy creamers that are not vegan. Many innovative vegan companies are doing a great job at keeping their ingredients pure, organic, and simple! Check out some of our favorites non-dairy creamers here.
Vegan creamer, like vegan milk, can also be made at home. Plenty of recipes are available online, and this will ensure you know exactly what is going into your morning coffee! Thank you for watching out for our animal friends, and the best of luck to you on your vegan/dairy-free journey.