Reddi Whip and Cool Whip are two popular brands of whipped topping products found in the refrigerated dairy aisle of most grocery stores. Both products can be used as toppings for desserts, mixed into milkshakes, or eaten straight from the tub with a spoon. But when it comes to nutrition, which whipped topping is the healthier choice?
Reddi Whip and Cool Whip have some key differences in their ingredients and nutritional profiles. Reddi Whip is a real dairy whipped cream product made with cream and milk. Cool Whip, on the other hand, is a non-dairy whipped topping made with vegetable oil and other ingredients.
In this article, we will compare the ingredients, calories, fat, and other nutrition facts between Reddi Whip and Cool Whip. We will analyze how they differ in terms of healthfulness and look at some of the pros and cons of each product. Read on to find out which whipped topping is better for you.
Nutrition Facts Comparison
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the nutrition facts for Reddi Whip and Cool Whip:
| Nutrition Facts | Reddi Whip | Cool Whip |
|---|---|---|
| Serving Size | 2 tablespoons (30g) | 2 tablespoons (30g) |
| Calories | 45 | 25 |
| Total Fat | 5g | 2g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5g | 2g |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg | 0mg |
| Sodium | 15mg | 20mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1g | 3g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g | 0g |
| Sugars | 1g | 2g |
| Protein | 0g | 0g |
Looking at the nutrition labels side-by-side, we can see some clear differences between the two products:
– **Calories:** Reddi Whip has 45 calories per serving while Cool Whip has 25 calories. Cool Whip is lower in calories.
– **Total Fat:** Reddi Whip has 5g total fat per serving compared to 2g in Cool Whip. Again, Cool Whip is lower in total fat.
– **Saturated Fat:** Reddi Whip has 3.5g saturated fat per serving while Cool Whip has 2g. Reddi Whip is higher in saturated fat.
– **Cholesterol:** Reddi Whip contains 15mg cholesterol per serving while Cool Whip has none.
– **Sodium:** Reddi Whip has 15mg sodium per serving compared to 20mg in Cool Whip. Cool Whip is slightly higher in sodium.
– **Carbs and Sugar:** Cool Whip has slightly more carbs (3g vs. 1g) and sugar (2g vs. 1g) than Reddi Whip.
So at a glance, Cool Whip appears to be lower in calories, fat, and cholesterol compared to Reddi Whip. But to better evaluate the healthfulness, we need to dig into the ingredients.
Ingredient Comparison
Here is a breakdown of the main ingredients in Reddi Whip and Cool Whip:
Reddi Whip Ingredients:
– Cream
– Milk
– Sugar
– Corn syrup solids
– Contains less than 2% of: Natural and artificial flavor, mono and diglycerides, carrageenan, beta carotene (for color)
Cool Whip Ingredients:
– Water
– Hydrogenated vegetable oil (coconut and palm kernel oils)
– High fructose corn syrup
– Corn syrup
– Less than 2% of: Skim milk, light cream, sodium caseinate, natural and artificial flavor, xanthan and guar gums, polysorbate 60, sorbitan monostearate, beta carotene (for color)
When looking at the ingredients lists, the key differences that stand out are:
– Dairy: Reddi Whip is dairy-based, made with cream and milk. Cool Whip contains small amounts of skim milk and light cream but is not dairy-based.
– Fat source: The fat in Reddi Whip comes from cream. Cool Whip gets its fat from hydrogenated vegetable oils like coconut and palm kernel oil.
– Sugar source: Reddi Whip uses regular sugar as the main sweetener. Cool Whip uses high fructose corn syrup as the primary sweetener.
– Thickeners: Cool Whip contains gums like xanthan and guar. Reddi Whip uses carrageenan.
– Preservatives: Cool Whip includes ingredients like polysorbate 60 and sorbitan monostearate that are added as preservatives. Reddi Whip does not contain added preservatives.
So in terms of ingredients, Reddi Whip has the advantage of being a simple, dairy-based whipped cream. Cool Whip contains more processed ingredients like hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup.
Health and Nutrition Pros and Cons
Based on the nutrition facts and ingredients, here is a summary of some of the key health and nutrition pros and cons of each whipped topping:
Reddi Whip Pros:
– Made with real cream and milk
– No hydrogenated oils
– Lower in sugar and carbs
– Free of high fructose corn syrup
– No preservatives
Reddi Whip Cons:
– Higher in calories and saturated fat than Cool Whip
– Contains carrageenan
Cool Whip Pros:
– Lower in calories and fat than Reddi Whip
– Lower in saturated fat than Reddi Whip
– No cholesterol
– No carrageenan
Cool Whip Cons:
– Not dairy-based
– Contains hydrogenated vegetable oils
– High fructose corn syrup is primary sweetener
– Includes preservatives like polysorbate 60
Looking at both the pros and cons, a few key takeaways emerge:
– Reddi Whip has the benefit of being a true dairy product made with simple, real ingredients like cream. But it is higher in calories and saturated fat than Cool Whip.
– Cool Whip is lower in calories and fat. But it contains more processed ingredients like hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup.
So is one whipped topping clearly healthier than the other? Let’s take a closer look.
Is Reddi Whip or Cool Whip Healthier?
When evaluating which is healthier between Reddi Whip and Cool Whip, there are a few key factors to consider:
Ingredients
Reddi Whip has the advantage when it comes to ingredients. Being dairy-based and made with simple ingredients like cream and milk makes it more natural and less processed than Cool Whip. Cool Whip contains more artificial ingredients and chemicals.
Fat Source
The type of fat matters when comparing these whipped toppings. The saturated fat in Reddi Whip comes from natural dairy sources like cream. Cool Whip gets its fat from hydrogenated vegetable oils, which contain artificial trans fats that are considered less healthy.
Sugar Source
Reddi Whip uses regular sugar while Cool Whip relies on high fructose corn syrup as the main sweetener. While high fructose corn syrup has gotten a bad reputation, there is limited evidence to suggest it is any worse for health than regular sugar. Both should be consumed in moderation.
Calories and Fat
If your main priority is limiting calories and fat, Cool Whip is lower in both. But the 45 calories and 5g fat in a serving of Reddi Whip is still relatively low, especially when enjoyed occasionally. The type of fat and ingredients are more important factors.
Additives
Cool Whip does contain more additives like preservatives, emulsifiers, and thickeners that Reddi Whip does not. These types of processed ingredients are something to limit in the diet when possible.
Taste and Texture
For many consumers, Reddi Whip has a better creamy, richer taste and airy texture compared to Cool Whip. Since it is real whipped dairy cream, the flavor and mouthfeel tends to be preferable for topping things like desserts or sundaes.
Environmental Sustainability
As a dairy product, Reddi Whip has a larger environmental footprint related to dairy farming and animal agriculture. The highly processed vegetable oils used to make Cool Whip also have sustainability downsides.
Cost Difference
Reddi Whip tends to cost a little bit more than Cool Whip. But when you look at the ingredients and nutrition, the extra cost may be worthwhile for a more natural product made with real dairy.
Allergies and Dietary Needs
Those with dairy allergies or vegan diets will need to avoid Reddi Whip and select a non-dairy whipped topping like Cool Whip. People avoiding hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup may prefer Reddi Whip.
Conclusion
When comparing Reddi Whip and Cool Whip, there are good arguments on both sides. But looking closely at the nutrition and ingredients, Reddi Whip does come out slightly ahead in terms of health and naturalness.
Reddi Whip has the benefit of being made with simple, real dairy ingredients like cream and milk. This gives it a more natural nutrition profile and avoids many of the more processed ingredients found in Cool Whip.
However, Cool Whip is lower in calories and fat. So for those strictly monitoring these factors, Cool Whip may be the better choice.
Overall, when consumed in moderation, both Reddi Whip and Cool Whip can have a place in an balanced diet. But ingredients and nutrition wise, Reddi Whip generally edges out Cool Whip when comparing their healthfulness.
Just keep portion size in mind, as even natural dairy toppings like Reddi Whip are high in calories and fat if over-consumed. Use a light hand when topping your desserts and shakes with either whipped cream product.
References
Reddi Whip Original Ingredients. https://www.reddiwip.com/products/reddi-wip-original
Cool Whip Original Ingredients. https://www.verybestbaking.com/cool-whip/original-cool-whip/
Comparison of the Nutritional Profiles of Reddi Whip and Cool Whip. https://foodstruct.com/compare/reddi-whip-vs-cool-whip
Harvard Medical School. The Health Effects of High Fructose Corn Syrup. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-health-effects-of-high-fructose-corn-syrup
Cleveland Clinic. Better Health: Hydrogenated Oils. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-hydrogenated-oils-bad-for-me/