New Product Friday: Nutpods
Sweetened White Chocolate Plant Creamer
One reason coffee creamers are so popular is that they allow people to customize coffee to their liking. With so many different flavors and options available, people can create a unique coffee experience that suits their individual taste preferences. Traditional creamers are made with dairy and are available in many different flavors and sweetness levels (usually sweetened with sugar). Plant-based creamers have become more popular in recent years due to the rise in demand for vegan and lactose-free options. The most innovative plant-based creamers are looking to reduce sugar, while still providing the creaminess of dairy products and innovative flavor options. Nutpods has gained popularity in recent years due to its clean, sugar-free creamers that are available in a wide range of different customizable flavors. Today’s New Product Friday looks at their latest flavor offering, Sweetened White Chocolate. Let’s take a look at the ingredients:
Almondmilk (Water, Almonds)— “Almondmilk” can mean whatever the brand (Nutpods) wants it to mean. By putting water and almonds together, it allows almonds to be listed higher up on the ingredient statement. Almonds are primarily grown in Central California and have one of the highest water requirements to grow compared to other nuts.
Erythritol— Erythritol is 70% as sweet as sugar and does not contribute any added sugar or raise blood sugar. A recent study stated that it might increase the risk of blood clots and strokes, but other studies have detailed its safety.
Coconut Cream—A common vegan substitute for heavy cream, coconut cream has twice as much fat as coconut milk; particularly saturated fat. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fats as it can contribute to heart problems.
Natural Flavors— This would include natural flavor chemicals from chocolate, white chocolate and other fruit, vegetable, spice, herb, leaves, roots, buds, and/or bark that are derived from vegan and non-GMO sources.
Dipotassium Phosphate—Dipotassium phosphate is an electrolyte and ensures that the beverage tastes and remains stable while it sits on the grocery store shelf or in your refrigerator.
Sunflower Lecithin—Derived from sunflowers, lecithin is an emulsifier that makes sure that the creamer does not separate out. Studies have shown that lecithin can lower total cholesterol (including bad LDL cholesterol) and support cognitive function.
Guar Gum—Derived from the seed of the guar plant, guar gum absorbs water to create thick gels. In this product, guar gum is added to provide a thickness similar to a dairy-based creamer.
Sea Salt—Sea salt contains micronutrients that regular table salt does not have. However, these micronutrients are in such small quantities that would not be beneficial. Sea salt is used to bring out the flavors of the almonds, coconut, and natural flavors.
Gellan Gum— A fermentation by-product of a bacteria, gellan gum ensures that the beverage stays together and gives a slightly creamy texture.
Stevia Leaf Extract—Sweet molecules 200-400 times sweeter than sugar are extracted from the leaves of the stevia plant. If used improperly, a metallic, sweet aftertaste can be perceived.
Final Evaluation
Ingredient Quality: B+. The only ingredient flagged here is erythritol. Erythritol is the second ingredient on the ingredient statement and might contribute to a higher risk of strokes and heart attacks for some people.
Ingredient Clarity: A. All ingredients are purposely added and make sense to the overall product.
Functional Benefit: A-. Almonds have one of the highest water requirements of any type of nut and are not a very sustainable crop. However, almonds are packed with healthy fats, antioxidants, Vitamin E, and magnesium. These components contribute to almonds’ benefits of lowering cholesterol, controlling blood sugar, and reducing oxidative damage in the body. Coconut cream is high in medium chain triglycerides, a saturated fat that the body can use as an energy source. High amounts of coconut cream (saturated fats) is linked to poor heart health, amongst other ailments. However, studies have shown that consuming saturated fats in low levels (like that in a creamer) can actually be beneficial to overall health.
Nutritional Value: A. This product does not contain any added sugar, which is rare amongst other plant-based creamers.
Overall Score: A-. Overall, this product offers a no sugar, plant-based alternative to the traditional dairy creamer. However, there are a few minor negatives. First of all, almonds are listed with the water to create “almondmilk”. Most non-dairy creamers and milks list their plants/nuts in blends like this, however, it is deceptive since it does not give an indication of how many almonds are actually used. Separating out the almonds in the “almondmilk” line item may mean that the almonds would fall lower in the ingredient statement. Erythritol (the second ingredient in the ingredient statement) has recently been put into the limelight for potentially increasing strokes and blood clots for some. However, since this is a creamer and not a lot of it is meant to be consumed at a time, any potential risks of erythritol would be considered minimal. Lastly, it’s important to note that even though this is a white chocolate flavored creamer, there are no traces of actual white chocolate. The white chocolate flavor is coming solely from the broad category of “natural flavors”. On the positive side, both almonds and coconut cream (in moderation) are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can help improve heart health and overall health. Many plant-based creamers contain large amounts of sugar, so it is refreshing to come across a sweetened creamer that does not contain any sugar. At $5/bottle, this is comparable to other plant-based creamers and definitely worth the purchase.
Would you buy this product? Why or why not?
Very helpful info. Thanks!