If you are looking for healthy alternatives to cream you may be wondering whether creme fraiche is a good alternative.
Creme fraiche is a type of cream commonly used in French cuisine that has typically lower fat content than regular cream. But how healthy is creme fraiche actually? Is it healthier than cream?
In this article, we look at the nutritional values of both types of cream and then come to the conclusion of whether creme fraiche is healthier.
Quick Answer: Yes, crème fraîche is generally healthier than regular cream, especially if you choose a low-fat variety. It contains fewer calories and less fat than double cream, making it a better option for those looking to reduce fat intake. However, crème fraîche still contains significant fat, so opting for low-fat or fat-free versions is best if you’re aiming for a healthier choice.
Nutritional Breakdown
Just to be clear, when we refer to “regular” cream here, we’re talking about double cream (not single cream), commonly used in the UK. For US readers, this is similar to heavy whipping cream.
Double Cream Nutrition
The nutritional profile of double cream is quite standard and in general, you will find the following in double cream (per 100 g):
- Fat: 50-51 g (around 50%) – out of this, around 30 g of fat is saturated
- Carbs: Around 1.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Sugars: Around 1.5 g
- Fibre: 0 g
- Calories: around 430 – 467 kcal, depending on the brand
Crème Fraîche Nutritional Range
Crème fraîche varies widely in nutritional content depending on the brand and whether it’s low-fat. Here’s what we found from several brands:
- Fat content: This ranges from almost zero (fat-free creme fraiche) to around 30g per 100g
- Saturated fat: This goes up to around 20g per 100g
- Carbs: Around 3g per 100g in full-fat options and 7g in fat-free option
- Sugars: 2.6g – 7g
Notably, the higher carbs in fat-free crème fraîche come from naturally occurring milk sugars (lactose) rather than added ingredients, keeping the product simple and natural.
Here are all the creme fraiche brands we looked at and their nutritional profile per 100g:
| CREME FRAICHE | FAT | SATURATED FAT | CARBS | SUGARS | PROTEIN | CALORIES |
| Sainsbury’s British Crème Fraîche | 28.7g | 17.1g | 2.6g | 2.1g | 1.9g | 277 |
| Morrisons Crème Fraîche | 30.5g | 20g | 2.8g | 2.8g | 2.4g | 296 |
| ASDA Creme Fraiche | 30g | 19g | 3.3g | 2.7g | 2.3g | 296 |
| Tesco British Creme Fraiche | 31.1g | 21.6g | 2.8g | 2.7g | 2.7g | 302 |
| Yeo Valley Organic Fat Free Creme Fraiche | <0.5g | 0.1g | 7.0g | 7.0g | 7.6g | 61 |
| Tesco 50% Less Fat Creme Fraiche | 15g | 10.2g | 4.4g | 3.0g | 2.7g | 163 |
Cream vs. Crème Fraîche: Key Nutritional Differences
When comparing double cream to crème fraîche, here are the standout differences:
- Fat content: Double cream has a much higher fat content (about 48g per 100g) compared to most crème fraîche options, which range from 0.5g to 31g.
- Calories: Double cream is significantly more calorie-dense due to its higher fat content.
- Carbs and sugars: Crème fraîche, especially the fat-free varieties, tends to have more carbs, largely from naturally occurring lactose.
So, Which is Healthier?
Based on our research, crème fraîche is generally a healthier option than double cream. Even full-fat crème fraîche has around 10g less fat and fewer calories per 100g compared to double cream.
However, it’s still relatively high in fat and calories. If you’re aiming to reduce your fat intake or manage your weight, low-fat or fat-free crème fraîche options are the best choice. These varieties offer significantly fewer calories while maintaining a creamy texture, making them a smart alternative for healthier eating.