the coffee, or the creamer?
There are several things wrong with this picture…
First off, the Styrofoam cup and plastic spoon. I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m often too lazy to wash a mug (What? We all have our flaws…) when these bad boys are right next to the industrial coffee maker every morning, just waiting to be the vehicle for, well, problem number two. From the outside, it’s bad enough, but upon taking a closer look, it just gets worse…
Is that coffee with a hint of cream? Or cream with a hint of coffee? Unfortunately, it’s the latter. I got a little happy this morning with the coffee creamer, which leads us to the next problem (are we already on three? Sheesh) …that little purple bottle hanging out in the background. Oh how I love it, Oh how I hate it.
I often laugh at myself when I think about my excessive coffee creamer consumption (or my ability to knock back a few coke zeros without a second thought…but that’s a whole ‘nother post!). With an ingredients list like this,
any health conscious individual would run as fast as possible in the other direction. Nope, not me. I will go back and forth in my mind about the silliest things…should I splurge for organic spinach or just go with the conventional? But when it comes to my beloved coffee, I embrace this chemical laden creamer with open arms and a blind eye.
Yes, it’s love. But this love is only hurting me. How will we ever part ways? We have grown so close. But Sweet Italian Creme won’t keep me warm at night…no sir, no it will not.
So what’s the solution? Well…I’m still working on that one. As you can see I have bought some organic half and half and am in the process of transitioning over (away from the dark side and into the light!) to something a bit less processed, and well, not fake.
But, it’s quite the battle. I have been trying to quit (umm…I sound like some kind of addict. (Uh-oh, maybe I am!? Don’t answer that…) for quite some time, but I think I am finally ready. Yes, I am ready (she says with trepidation and a hint of doubt). I’m gonna do it! Starting tomorrow…
Keep your fingers crossed for me… 
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I gave up cheese and dairy products, fits were thrown, but it has helped my health. I still want my heavily processed cheese though GRRRR. I also gave up my beloved Diet Coke I’m fine now, but before I missed my caffeine and my aspartame laced goodness. Yum Yum. Good luck, remember you do so much good for your body why negate it with that creamer?
I’ll keep ‘em crossed but I’m the same way. I only add skim or cream to my coffee, but there’s no way I’m giving that up :)
I am also addicted to coffee creamer! I have come off the stuff a few times (once for almost 2 years!) but I always end up going back. Good luck!
You can do it!!! :) I don’t do coffee, but I hear there are other, more “health conscious” creamers. Good luck!
You can do it! I’m weaning myself now too. I use mostly Almond Breeze Unsweetned Vanilla Almond Milk (or fat free milk) and then just a smidge of sweetened/flavored coffee creamer.
Good luck! You will do great.
I had a huge addiction to Sweet ‘n Low and would use several packets a day in my coffee. One day I decided that I wanted to quit cold turkey, and I did. Just like that. The first week was really hard but eventually I got very used to the taste of black coffee – or coffee with just a splash of milk on occasion.
I guess what I’m saying is that it’s not as hard as it seems. You will do great!
It took me a while to get rid of the creamer in my coffee too, now I just add a hint of milk + stevia and it’s good for me!
xo
K
Haha, your dialogue always makes me laugh! International Delight creamers don’t have trans fats–maybe try those? I don’t know the difference much past that though.
I recently stopped using Coffee Mate. I use to use SO much of that stuff every day. I started buying the vanilla Soy Creamer and am now to the point where I don’t even need creamer…just a little skim milk. I had a cup of coffee and the parent’s house with Coffee Mate this weekend and it was just TOO sweet. You’ll get use to it!
Funny post! I use milk with my coffee but put in sweetner…is that just as bad?? I do hope not..haha
AWw, this reminds me so much of myself a few months ago. I had such a hard time parting with my SF Vanilla Coffeemate, but one day I just said, “I have to do this!!!” and so in the trash it went. Cold Turkey! I implmented with Soy Hazelnutt Creamer and I’ve really gotten use to the change. I don’t even miss my crack infused creameer anymore.
Good luck hun! You can totally do this!
I think if using a bit of coffee creamer every morning is your one ‘unhealthy’ habit, then you’re doing pretty well. If you really enjoy the Italian Sweet Creme (uh who doesn’t? I want to drink that suff), but hate all those scary ingredients, maybe instead of cutting it out just have it a few days a week. I love the stuff but only have it on Saturdays when we have dinner at my parents’. The rest of the week I use milk. I think I enjoy the creamer so much more only using it once a week!
International Delight makes a coffee creamer with no partially hydrogenated oils in it. I found this out recently during a trip to the grocery store and was very very happy!!!
Try adding Chocolate Almond Milk to your coffee. It’s like a healthier mocha!
THROW IT IN THE GARBAGE . . . yes I know it will be hard, but it’s so dramatic it might just break your cycle. And don’t throw it in the garbage where you can fish it out. Throw it out and then take throw it down the chute / take it outside. You can do it (especially if you have no other option)!
Good luck getting over your addiction :) I have to say, I’m glad I never really tried coffee creamer. I love my milk. And you can’t fall in love with something you never try!
I like that suggestion of chocolate almond milk, above. Healthy, mostly natural and probably delicious! I might just try that…
Whow, who knew…all that “bad boy” stuff was in there! I never bothered to read the label, how uneducated can I get!
Okay, if you can do it….then so can I …but like you I will start tomorrow! :chic:
I believe that if we are too perfect, then we rebel. Okay, well, maybe that is just me. But sometimes having a little vice like coffee creamer (or mine today was chocolate granola, more chocolate than granola) makes us a little more human! :shout:
If you really love it you should keep it. You’re practically perfect otherwise!
Ok, try your organic half n half with some agave – that would be delicious. Or buy some flavored coffee – I like the Archer Farms Cinnamon Vanilla Nut (I get decaf but I’m sure they have the real stuff, too). And the flavored soy creamers are pretty good, too.
Take it from me, it’s so hard to break from the sugar – but you can do it!
Love,
Suz
i agree with meg…with all your healthy eating and exercise a little coffee creamer isn’t going to “negate” the good things you do for your body. if it does bother you—and i can see that from a money or environmental perspective—try cutting it in half or buy flavored coffees and add half-n-half.
I am trying low fat creamer. Have ditched the flavored ones. Any ideas?
Natalie,
I’d go for half and half. I’ve finally weaned myself off now that I’m living in Paris and don’t have anything else. I think it just takes time! But just don’t do fat free…you have to have a bit of flavor :)