How many carbs are in single cream?

November 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data, single cream contains a low amount of carbohydrates, with figures typically around 2.2 grams per 100g serving. This makes it a suitable ingredient for many dietary plans, particularly those focusing on fat and moderate protein intake over carbs.

Quick Summary

Single cream is a dairy product with a low carbohydrate count, typically containing around 2.2g of carbs per 100g serving. Its low sugar content and higher fat percentage make it a favorable option for keto and low-carb diets. While it contains lactose, its fat content keeps the total carb level minimal.

Key Points

Low Carbohydrate Count: Single cream typically contains around 2.2g of carbohydrates per 100g serving.
Source of Carbs: The carbohydrates in single cream are primarily from lactose, the natural sugar found in milk.
Lower Carbs than Milk: The creaming process separates the high-fat portion, which contains fewer milk solids and thus less lactose than whole milk.
Comparison with Other Creams: Single cream has a lower carb count than half-and-half but slightly more than heavy cream due to its lower fat content.
Suitable for Low-Carb Diets: In moderation, single cream fits well into low-carb and some ketogenic dietary plans.
Read the Label: Always check the nutrition label for added sugars or thickeners, which can alter the final carb count.

Understanding Single Cream's Carbohydrate Content

Single cream, also known as pouring cream, is a dairy product that has not been fermented, resulting in a low carbohydrate count that is almost entirely composed of naturally occurring milk sugar (lactose). The exact amount can vary slightly by brand, but multiple reliable sources indicate a consistent figure.

For example, data from Tesco's British Single Cream shows 2.2g of carbohydrates per 100ml, with all of it coming from sugars. Similarly, the nutritional composition data provided by milk.co.uk confirms a figure of 2.2g per 100g serving. This low carbohydrate density is a key reason why single cream is often considered for low-carb diets.

Why Cream has Fewer Carbs than Milk

Many people are surprised to learn that cream contains fewer carbs than whole milk. The answer lies in the production process. Cream is essentially the high-fat portion of milk that is separated during processing. Since lactose and other milk sugars are primarily found in the milk solids, and more of these solids are removed as the fat content increases, the final cream product has a lower sugar, and thus lower carbohydrate, concentration.

Separation Process: Cream is produced by separating the fatty layer from milk. This process concentrates the fat while leaving behind much of the lactose found in the remaining milk solids.
Fat vs. Carbs: Because single cream has a higher fat content (around 18-20% minimum) and a lower concentration of milk solids compared to whole milk, its carbohydrate percentage is lower.
Lactose Content: The carbs in single cream are primarily from lactose. The higher the fat content in a cream, the lower its lactose content tends to be.

Single Cream vs. Other Dairy Products

Single cream's carbohydrate profile is best understood by comparing it to other common dairy products. Its position as a low-carb dairy option is clear when viewed alongside items like milk and yogurt. This table illustrates the differences based on average nutritional data.


Dairy Product	Approx. Carbs per 100g	Approx. Fat per 100g	Notes
Single Cream	2.2g	19.1g	Lower carb than milk; not suitable for whipping.
Heavy Cream	2.7g	40.3g	Lower carbs than single cream due to higher fat and less lactose.
Whole Milk	4.8g	3.3g	Significantly higher carbs than cream due to milk solids.
Half-and-half	4.7g	11.5g	A blend of milk and cream, resulting in higher carbs than pure cream.
Butter	0.6g	82.2g	Very low carb, mostly pure fat.

How to Incorporate Single Cream into a Low-Carb Diet

Since single cream has a relatively low carbohydrate count, it can be a valuable addition to a low-carb or ketogenic diet in moderation. However, it's always crucial to track your total intake, as calories and carbs can add up.

Coffee and Tea: A small dash of single cream can enrich your morning beverage without significantly impacting your carb count. Be mindful of portion sizes.
Sauces and Soups: Use single cream to thicken and add richness to low-carb sauces and soups. It's a great way to improve flavor and texture without using starchy thickeners.
Desserts: While single cream can't be whipped, it can be poured over low-carb desserts like berries or used as a base for custard.

For those monitoring their carb intake closely, particularly on a strict keto diet, heavy cream or double cream may be preferable as they have an even lower carb concentration due to their higher fat content. However, single cream is still an excellent choice for a less restrictive low-carb plan.

The Importance of Reading Labels

When purchasing any dairy product, including single cream, it is essential to read the nutritional labels carefully. While basic single cream has a minimal carb count, some products may contain added thickeners, stabilizers, or flavorings that could increase the sugar and carbohydrate content. Always opt for plain, unflavored varieties to ensure you are getting the lowest possible carbohydrate count.

Conclusion

So, how many carbs are in single cream? In general, a 100g serving of single cream contains approximately 2.2g of carbohydrates, all of which come from naturally occurring lactose. Its low carb content, coupled with its moderate fat profile, makes it a viable option for those following low-carb diets, though more strictly ketogenic individuals may prefer heavy cream for its even lower carb density. As with any food, moderation and careful label reading are key to fitting single cream into a healthy dietary plan.

Potential Outbound Link (Optional)

For further information on the composition of various dairy products, a resource like milk.co.uk provides detailed nutritional breakdowns. The Nutritional Composition of Dairy - Milk.co.uk

Disclaimer: Nutritional values can vary between brands and products. Always consult a healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes, especially for diabetes management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, single cream is suitable for a ketogenic diet in moderation because it is low in carbohydrates. Due to its higher fat content compared to milk, it has fewer carbs. However, heavy cream has an even lower carb count and is often preferred for stricter keto plans.

No, single cream is not lactose-free, as it is a dairy product. However, it contains less lactose than whole milk because much of the lactose is in the milk solids that are separated during the creaming process.

Heavy cream generally has a slightly lower carbohydrate count than single cream. This is because heavy cream has a higher fat content, which means an even lower concentration of milk solids and lactose.

For most basic, unflavored single creams, the sugar is naturally occurring lactose from the milk. However, some flavored or processed creams may have added sugars, so it is important to check the ingredients list.

Because single cream is low in carbohydrates, it has a minimal impact on blood sugar levels, making it generally acceptable for people with diabetes in moderation. However, individual reactions can vary, and it's best to consult a doctor before adding it to your diet.

No, single cream cannot be whipped to form stiff peaks like whipping cream. It has a lower fat content (around 18-20%) compared to whipping cream (over 30%), which is necessary for creating a stable foam.

Half-and-half, which is a blend of milk and cream, contains more carbohydrates than single cream because of the higher proportion of milk. Single cream is a lower-carb option compared to half-and-half.