How Many Carbs in Half and Half (& 4 Keto Alternatives)

Coffee drinkers who do not prefer their coffee black often reach for half and half or sugar creamers to add flavor to their morning cup of Joe. If you are following a low-carb diet, can you use half and half in your coffee and stay in ketosis? The answer is yes!

What is Half and Half?

Half and half is half whole milk, half cream. Mixed together, they make a delicious and popular coffee creamer.

Although the name implies half milk and half cream, most people don’t make their own using equal parts. If you love half and half, you can save money by mixing 3/4 cup of whole milk with 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream.

Is Half and Half OK for the Keto Diet?

Let’s look at the nutritional facts for half and half. You can consume half and half in small quantities because the amount of carbohydrates in a normal serving size is negligible. One problem is that many people use way more than the intended serving size of many things they consume.

For convenience, companies like Land O’ Lakes package half & half into single-serve packages called “mini moo’s.” These small packages are individually wrapped for convenience and hold 9 ml (or just under 2 teaspoons) of creamer.

That serving has zero calories, less than one net carb, and only 1 gram of total fat. Another benefit of this product is it is shelf stable and you can purchase it on Amazon.

4 Half and Half Keto Alternatives

If you are looking for creamer alternatives that will help you stay on a ketogenic diet, there are many great options out there.

The bottom line is that you need to be carefully watching your carb intake which means measuring out servings to ensure you are not taking in more than you think.

1. Almond Milk

Almond milk is a very keto-friendly dairy alternative. Unsweetened, plain almond milk has just 37 calories and less than 2 grams of carbs in an entire cup. In other words, this is a great alternative.

2. Coconut Milk

One tablespoon of coconut milk has 34 calories and .8 total carbs. Naturally sweet, coconut milk is a delicious addition to your coffee but even a small amount of carbs add up quickly, so be careful.

3. Heavy Whipping Cream

A tablespoon of HWC has a whopping 54 calories, 5.4 grams of fats and .4 net carbs. The high-fat content really does round out the flavor and give your coffee a creamy taste.

Aside from half and half, heavy cream is one of the most often used dairy products that is put in coffee.

4. Sugar-Free Creamers

There are many companies, such as Nestlé, International Delight, Coffee Mate, and others, that make delicious, flavored creamers. Available in fat-free, low-fat, full-fat, and sugar-free, there are tons of options out there.

If you are focused on weight loss, tread carefully when you choose one of these products. Again, most folks add more than a serving and consume way more total carbs than they intend to.