Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 4 hrs ago
Non-dairy creamer is now the biggest source of added calories in US coffee
A study of 30,000 US adults found that coffee supplied more calories in 2018 than it did in 2003.
People drank about the same amount—roughly 13 ounces a day—but average calories from coffee rose from 43 to 60.
Non-dairy creamer became the top source of added coffee calories, contributing an average of 18.5 calories a day in 2018.
Sugar contributed 16 calories, while dairy milk contributed 11.
Use of non-dairy additions, including creamer and non-dairy milk, rose over the study period.
Creamer use more than doubled, increasing from about 3.4 grams a day in 2003 to 8 grams in 2018.
The researchers say added ingredients can raise calorie intake and that non-dairy creamers may contain calorie-dense saturated fat.
The findings track US dietary data from 2003 to 2018; they do not say what coffee drinkers will consume next.
US adults are getting more calories from coffee despite drinking about the same amount.
A study found average coffee calories rose from 43 to 60 per day between 2003 and 2018.
By 2018, non-dairy creamer was the largest source of added calories in coffee, ahead of sugar and dairy milk.
The researchers analyzed dietary data from 30,000 adults aged 20 and older.
Non-dairy creamer’s average contribution reached 18.5 calories per day in 2018.
- Who
- Researchers at Tufts University studied dietary data from 30,000 US adults aged 20 and older.
- What
- Non-dairy creamer became the leading source of added calories in US coffee.
- When
- The study tracked data from 2003 to 2018. It was reported in October 2026.
- Where
- United States.
- Why
- Non-dairy creamer consumption increased, raising the calories added to coffee.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Average coffee calories were 43 per day, and non-dairy creamer contributed 7.71 calories per day.
Researchers examined eight consecutive cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Average coffee calories had risen to 60 per day, and non-dairy creamer contributed 18.5 calories per day.
Researchers reported the findings in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, according to Infobae.
- Study sample
- 30,000 US adults aged 20 and older
- Average coffee intake
- Approximately 13 ounces per day
- Average coffee calories
- Increased from 43 to 60 per day between 2003 and 2018
- Non-dairy creamer calories in 2018
- 18.5 calories per day
- Sugar calories in 2018
- 16 calories per day
- Dairy milk calories in 2018
- 11 calories per day
2 sources
What people are saying
Coffee consumption has been associated with several health benefits. However, coffee is often accompanied by the addition of sugar and cream, which can contribute to an increased consumption of calories from added sugar and saturated fat.
We found that non-dairy creamer added to coffee has now surpassed both sugar and dairy in its contribution to total energy consumed from coffee.
Non-dairy creamers can be high in saturated fat, which is calorie-dense. This could explain the increase in calories that non-dairy creamer is contributing.