Does Canned Whipped Cream Have Sugar?

November 14, 2025 •

3 min read

Most people assume canned whipped cream contains sugar, and for the majority of standard varieties, this is true. These products are sweetened to improve flavor and palatability, but the exact amount can vary significantly between brands and product lines.

Quick Summary

Canned whipped cream typically includes sugar or corn syrup, though specific amounts differ by brand. Some companies offer zero-sugar versions sweetened with alternatives like sucralose.

Key Points

Standard Products Contain Sugar: Most traditional brands of canned whipped cream, like Reddi-Wip Original, include sugar or corn syrup for sweetness.
Sugar-Free Versions Exist: Brands now offer zero-sugar varieties that utilize alternative sweeteners, such as sucralose, catering to keto and low-sugar diets.
Ingredients Vary by Brand: Always check the nutritional label, as the specific sugar content and type of sweetener can differ significantly between different brands and product lines.
Homemade Offers Control: Making whipped cream from scratch allows for total control over the type and amount of sweetener used, including the option to omit sugar entirely.
More than Just Cream: In addition to sugar, canned whipped cream contains stabilizers, emulsifiers, and a propellant to create its signature texture and shelf life.

The Sweet Truth Behind the Can

The question of whether canned whipped cream contains sugar is a common one, particularly for those monitoring their intake for health reasons or personal dietary choices. The simple answer for most standard products is yes, they contain sugar, often in the form of sucrose or corn syrup. However, the landscape of convenience foods has evolved, leading to sugar-free alternatives that cater to specific dietary needs, such as keto or diabetic-friendly diets. Understanding the ingredients of both standard and specialized products is key to making an informed decision.

Standard Canned Whipped Cream Ingredients

For a standard can of whipped cream, like the popular Reddi-Wip Original, the ingredient list typically features cream, water, and sugar or corn syrup. Sugar is added primarily for taste, as plain whipped cream made from heavy cream is not inherently sweet. Other ingredients serve important functions to maintain the product's texture, shelf-stability, and ability to be dispensed from the aerosol can. A typical ingredient list often includes:

Cream: The primary dairy component.
Water: Used to adjust consistency.
Sugar/Corn Syrup: Provides sweetness and structure.
Nonfat Milk: Contributes to the creamy flavor and consistency.
Stabilizers (e.g., Carrageenan): Help maintain the foamy structure.
Emulsifiers (e.g., Mono- and Diglycerides): Prevent ingredients from separating.
Natural Flavor: Enhances the overall taste profile.
Propellant (Nitrous Oxide): Creates the pressurized foam texture.

The Rise of Sugar-Free and Diet-Friendly Options

Recognizing the growing demand for lower-sugar and keto-friendly products, many manufacturers have introduced specialized versions. Reddi-wip, for instance, offers a Zero Sugar variety that uses sucralose as a sugar substitute. These alternatives are formulated to deliver the same creamy texture and sweetness without the added caloric and carbohydrate load of traditional sugar.

Sucralose: A non-caloric artificial sweetener often used in diet products.
Net Carbs: These products are often advertised with "zero net carbs" because the sugar alcohol content is not counted towards the total carbohydrate count on many keto diets.
Taste Profile: While formulated to taste similar to the original, the use of alternative sweeteners can sometimes result in a slightly different flavor or aftertaste. However, brands like Reddi-wip claim their zero-sugar version maintains a taste on par with the original.

Comparison Table: Standard vs. Zero Sugar Whipped Cream


Feature	Standard Whipped Cream	Zero Sugar Whipped Cream
Sweetener	Sugar, Corn Syrup	Sucralose
Carbohydrates	Contains measurable carbohydrates from sugar	Advertised as zero net carbs
Calories per serving	Approximately 15-20 calories	Often around 15 calories
Dietary Suitability	Not suitable for keto or low-sugar diets	Keto-friendly, diabetic-friendly
Taste	Sweetened with a classic sugar flavor profile	Artificially sweetened, taste can vary slightly
Ingredients	Cream, water, sugar, stabilizers, emulsifiers	Cream, water, sucralose, stabilizers, emulsifiers

Homemade vs. Canned: The Control Factor

For those who want complete control over their sugar intake, making whipped cream from scratch is the best option. Homemade whipped cream typically requires just two ingredients: heavy cream and a sweetener of choice, which can include regular sugar, powdered sugar, or a sugar alternative like erythritol or monk fruit. The amount of sweetener can be adjusted or omitted entirely. This allows for a completely sugar-free version or a custom level of sweetness, something not possible with pre-canned products. The convenience of canned whipped cream is traded for this level of customization and ingredient control.

Conclusion: The Sweetener is a Standard Feature (with Exceptions)

In summary, the vast majority of traditional canned whipped cream products do contain sugar or a form of corn syrup as a primary ingredient to sweeten the product. For those seeking alternatives, the market has responded with readily available sugar-free versions that use artificial sweeteners like sucralose. Checking the nutritional information and ingredient list on the can is the most reliable way to confirm the presence of sugar and to choose the product that best fits your dietary requirements.

For more detailed nutritional facts on specific products, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) provides comprehensive food scores and ingredient breakdowns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reddi-wip is a prominent brand that offers a Zero Sugar variety, which is sweetened with sucralose and formulated to be keto-friendly.

Most true 'canned whipped cream' products, like Reddi-wip, use real cream as a primary ingredient. However, 'whipped toppings' often use vegetable oil and other substitutes instead of cream.

Sugar is added to regular canned whipped cream to provide the sweet flavor that consumers expect. Without a sweetener, whipped cream would have a neutral, dairy taste.

Standard canned whipped cream is not suitable for a keto diet due to its sugar content. However, specific zero-sugar versions, like Reddi-wip Zero Sugar, are formulated to be keto-friendly and contain no net carbs.

No, 'fat-free' does not mean 'sugar-free'. Many fat-free or low-fat products compensate for the lack of fat by adding more sugar to maintain flavor, so it's essential to check the nutritional label.

Canned whipped cream typically uses real cream as its base ingredient, while whipped topping products often replace cream with hydrogenated vegetable oils and corn syrup. Whipped toppings are also often sold in plastic tubs.

To prevent separation, manufacturers use stabilizers like carrageenan and emulsifiers such as mono- and diglycerides. These additives help maintain the product's uniform, whipped texture.