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Heavy Cream vs Heavy Whipping Cream: Choosing Cream At The Store

May 8, 2020 · Leave a Comment

how to choose cream for the keto diet in the grocery store and whats the difference between heavy cream vs heavy whipping cream

Heavy Cream vs Heavy Whipping Cream - both names used in a variety of keto recipes you'll find on the internet and in cookbooks. But what makes heavy cream different from heavy whipping cream? Is it different at all?

What about half -and- half or light cream? How do you know what to pick when staring at the shelf in the grocery store. Let's take the confusion out of this question so you can confidently pick the best option for you.

The Difference Between Heavy Cream vs Heavy Whipping Cream

The main difference between these two options is that heavy cream contains 38% milk fat whereas heavy whipping cream contains 35% milk fat. So, we're looking at just a few percentage points difference between heavy cream and whipping cream. If you have access to both options, I don't see a reason to NOT choose the higher fat option.

However, the ingredient list on a keto-friendly heavy cream or heavy whipping cream should have just one ingredient. You got it - cream.

Now, both heavy cream and heavy whipping cream have a high enough fat content to be whipped into indulgent homemade whipped cream. To do this, just mix a half teaspoon vanilla extract (optional) and a tablespoon sweetener of choice (optional) into a cup of heavy cream or whipping cream. Then, with your hand blender, mixer, or immersion blender -- whip it until soft peaks form.

A dollop of homemade whipped cream is a great indulgence mixed into your morning coffee or into a sugar free hot chocolate!

Again, these two products are so close in fat content - choosing one over the other won't make much of a difference in practical application. Purchase what is available to you in your area. If you have a choice, reach for the heavy cream.

What Is Light Cream?

In some areas, heavy cream or heavy whipping cream is tough to find. The only thing on the shelf is something labeled "cream" or "light cream". So what is this?

Light cream contains about 20% milkfat. So, if you can't find heavy cream or heavy whipping cream at the grocery store - this is your next best choice unless you're looking to whip it.

Because, light cream doesn't have a high enough fat content to whip into a homemade whipped cream. But it will work for drizzling over fruit or into your morning cup of coffee.

One last note on light cream, if you're using a lot of it in a recipe or in your coffee - it may be worth searching for heavy cream or heavy whipping cream. Otherwise, the carbs in the light cream may add up and slow your progress towards your goals of keeping your carbs low enough to get into (or stay in) ketosis.

What Is Half -and- Half?

As you may have guessed, half and half is equal parts light cream and whole milk. It contains approximately 12% milkfat. For comparison, whole milk contains about 3.5% milkfat.

If the only thing at your coffee shop is half -and- half, can you use it without undermining your low-carb efforts?

This depends on your carb count goals and how flexible you're willing to be from time to time. If this is a daily coffee you get at a coffee shop, it's probably worth requesting heavy cream or whipping cream! They just might be happy to stock it for you and others that may prefer this over a lower fat option.

What To Choose? Heavy Cream vs Heavy Whipping Cream

heavy cream vs heavy whipping cream hats the difference and what should i choose at the store?

The good news is - either option is great for the keto diet. Choose what's available to you in your local grocers.

Track Your Nutrition & Health Data with cronometer.com

My tip is, always read the ingredients list. In our Free Facebook Support Group, members have shared photos of labels of heavy cream vs heavy whipping cream that contained random ingredients -- even dextrose (sugar)! So, go beyond the label and read the ingredient list so you can make the best decision for your body.

Keto Recipes Using Heavy Cream or Heavy Whipping Cream

Keto Vanilla Coffee Creamer
This zero carb vanilla keto coffee creamer is so easy to make, you'll never want store-bought again!
Check out this recipe
Keto Vanilla Coffee Creamer pouring on coffee
Keto Eggnog (2g Net Carb)
This keto eggnog is perfect for your family gatherings & holiday celebrations. You can make it with your favorite rum or simply use water for an alcohol free version.
Check out this recipe
Keto Egg nog on a glass
Keto Creamy Mushroom Soup
This creamy keto mushroom soup is the perfect comfort food for cold snowy days when you just want to snuggle up in front of the fire.
Check out this recipe
Keto Creamy Mushroom Soup on a bowl
Keto Vanilla Ice Cream
With only 1 net carb per serving, this keto vanilla ice cream recipe results in a creamy, satisfying ice cream that's perfect for a low carb, high fat diet! Even better, it freezes up to be scoopable in the following days because of the gelatin and Bocha Sweet. Plus, this keto ice cream recipe is cooked and does not have raw eggs in it. A bonus when you're feeding a family or prefer to avoid raw eggs.
Check out this recipe
Keto Vanilla Ice Cream served on a bowl
Easy No Churn Keto Vanilla Ice Cream
There's nothing like keto ice cream on a hot summers day. Mix up this creamy no churn keto vanilla ice cream and top it with keto ingredients like my keto hot fudge sauce, nuts or low carb berries such as blueberries, raspberries or blackberries!You'll need a batch of my unsweetened condensed milk prepared ahead of time. Or you can simply start with that step. The result is well worth the time and effort.
Check out this recipe
no churn keto vanilla ice cream three scoops in a glass ice cream dish

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Bestselling Author Tara Wright (Health Coach Tara) is a Certified International Health Coach trained by The Institute For Integrative Nutrition. She specializes in ketogenic and low carb diets.

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