Can You Drink Half and Half Cream On Its Own?

Half and Half is creamy, outright delicious, and even tastes better than milk. It is an equal mixture of whole milk and heavy cream. Have you ever wondered if drinking the cream is common practice? Well, the main question is – can you drink half and half?

What Is Half and Half?

Half and half is a blend of milk and cream in equal parts. It is used mostly as a coffee creamer.

It is also used in many recipes except in making whipped cream due to its lower fat content because it won’t thicken like that of heavy or whipping cream.

Most heavy cream contains 36 percent fat; half and half, on the other hand, contains between 10 and 18 percent.

After half-and-half you purchase from the grocery store, it is a must you place it in the refrigerator. Although, tiny containers of half and half are shelf-stable and do not need refrigeration. That is why you see them sitting out at the local coffee shop.

At room temperature, they can last up to six months. However, ensure you check for the expiration date to avoid drinking one that is no longer healthy for the body.

SEE: Can You Freeze Half and Half to Keep Creamer Quality?

Can You Drink Half and Half?

Yes, you can. It is a far healthier option. Compared to milk and coffee cream, the perfect balance between the thinness of milk and the thickness of heavy cream. It can also be used for eggs, desserts, ice cream, and pancakes.

Half and half is sweeter than whole milk but not as sweet as heavy cream. This gives it that right spot for a sweet taste that does not feel too sugary. Though people who have trouble digesting fat or are lactose intolerant should not take it at all.

One more thing; half and half is healthy. However, drinking it alone is not advisable. Drinks like cocoa, coffee, and tea help dilute it, so taking it with those drinks helps you enjoy half and half without any health risk whatsoever.

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Benefits of Drinking Half and Half

Four properties of half and half make its benefits far healthier than coffee cream and milk. They are:

Low calories

Half and half is lower in calories, thereby making it good for weight control and improving blood sugar levels. It also boosts mood and general well-being.

Less processed

Half and half also fall under the less processed food diet, making it good for your skin, keeping your heart healthy, and is a great source of vitamins and minerals.

It is also high in fiber and lowers your triglycerides (a type of fat-lipids found in the blood).

Contains healthy fats

As a healthy fat food, it helps with your blood pressure and lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke. Also, it prevents abnormal heart rhythms.

Does not contain additives and extra sugar

The lack of additives helps in lowering the chances of having allergies and some serious health issues, while the lack of extra sugar prevents health issues that come with extra sugar.

These issues may include; higher blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, diabetes, fatty liver disease, heart attack, stroke, loss of appetite, higher risk of Alzheimer’s, etc.

Looking at the listed benefits above, you can say that the major benefits of half and half are; maintaining proper blood levels, preventing stroke, and maintaining a healthy heart while ensuring other vital organs are not damaged.

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Is Half and Half Healthier Than Milk?

Well, it depends on the type of half and half. Standard or low-fat half and half, when compared to milk, is less healthy, but when it comes to fat-free half and half, that is the healthier choice.

Many coffee drinkers discovered that half-and-half gets it right when adding richness to the coffee.

SEE: Can You Substitute Half And Half For Milk

Does Drinking Half and Half Help You Gain Weight?

Yes, it does. When looking for a healthier way to gain weight, drinking half and half helps a lot. Due to its low calories, fat and sugar, there are fewer risks of heart diseases like high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health issues.

SEE: Will Half And Half Break A Fast

Can You Drink Half and Half With Cereal?

Yes, of course. It makes it creamier than when using milk, enhancing the flavor of the cereal and increasing the thickness. This makes the cereal more delicious to eat than when you use just milk.

Can You Drink Half and Half on Keto?

Yes, if you are on a ketogenic diet, you should consider using half and half for your beverages. It has the right amount of carbs; every tablespoon of half and half contains 0.6 grams.

If you are on a standard ketogenic diet, you just need a maximum of 2 tablespoons of half and half added to your diet. This does not affect you, as you will still be within the limit of 50 grams.

Does Half and Half Have Sugar?

Yes, it does. It has in fewer quantities. Each tablespoon contains less than 1 gram of sugar. It still has a sweet flavor, but it is moderately better than that of heavy cream. Oh, and healthier too.

FAQs

Can you drink half and half after the expiration date?

Yes, you can. Although, it depends on how many days past the expiration date it has stayed. When it is unopened, 3 to 5 days past the expiration date is still safe to use. So, ensure to always read the label.

Is half and half unhealthy?

No, It isn’t. Half and half cream helps cut back on saturated fat, so it is a healthy option. Although, people who have trouble digesting fat or are lactose intolerant should not take it at all.

Is it safe to drink half and half alone?

Yes, it is safe to drink half and half alone. However, it should be taken in little quantities as it is already slightly richer than whole milk.

What does half and half taste like?

Many responses to this question state that in comparison to milk or cream, half and half has a rich, creamy, and sweet taste. The half and half taste upgrades a cup of coffee to a decadent beverage.

Conclusion

Drinking half and half is not only safe but sweeter. It adds flavor to your drinks, not just coffees but even chocolate drinks.

If you need to reduce the bitterness in dark chocolate drinks, two tablespoons of half and half will do the trick.

Additionally, if you are looking for a cream that balances the thickness of heavy cream and the thinness of whole milk, half and half should be your preferred option.

And if you are concerned about your heart’s health, then you should use half and half for your drinks in place of milk and heavy cream.

Thank you for reading.

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