Cream, fluid, half and half
Whole food · Dairy and Egg Products
Half and half is a rich, velvety dairy blend of equal parts whole milk and light cream, creating a luxurious texture that's thicker than milk but lighter than heavy cream. With 11.5g of fat per 100g, it delivers a smooth, creamy mouthfeel and a subtle sweetness that elevates both hot and cold beverages. It's a kitchen staple that bridges the gap between everyday milk and indulgent cream.
Calorie split: 9% protein · 13% carbs · 78% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore half and half for its perfect balance of richness and lightness, making it the ideal companion for coffee, soups, and desserts. Its ability to add a creamy depth without overwhelming a dish has made it a beloved staple in American kitchens and diners.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Those monitoring their fat intake or with lactose intolerance should be cautious, as half and half contains significant dairy fat and lactose. To counteract this, use it sparingly as a flavor enhancer rather than a base, or opt for lactose-free alternatives and pair with fiber-rich foods to slow absorption.
Key benefits
- Provides a moderate fat source for satiety and flavor
- Adds richness to dishes without the heaviness of heavy cream
- Contains calcium and vitamin D for bone health
- Versatile for both sweet and savory applications
- Lower in fat than heavy cream, making it a lighter option
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Half and half is legally defined in the U.S. as a mixture of milk and cream with a milkfat content between 10.5% and 18%, and it's often used in scientific studies as a standard for testing dairy emulsion stability.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 80.6 g |
| Energy | 131 kcal |
| Energy | 548 kj |
| Protein | 3.1 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 11.5 g |
| Ash | 0.51 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 4.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 4.1 g |
| Sucrose | 0.00 g |
| Glucose | 0.00 g |
| Fructose | 0.00 g |
| Lactose | 4.1 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 107 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.05 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 10.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 95.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 132 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 61.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.39 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 3.2 ug |
| Fluoride, F | 3.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.90 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.03 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.19 mg |
| Niacin | 0.11 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.54 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.05 mg |
| Folate, total | 3.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 3.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 3.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 18.7 mg |
| Betaine | 0.70 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.19 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 97.0 ug |
| Retinol | 95.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 22.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 354 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.25 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 2.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.3 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 7.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.25 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.20 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.13 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.30 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.35 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 1.1 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.13 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.2 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.2 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.3 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.12 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.25 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.20 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.9 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 2.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.55 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.47 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 0.31 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3i | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.46 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.38 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.04 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.34 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.08 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.08 g |
| Cholesterol | 35.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.07 g |
| Threonine | 0.14 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.16 g |
| Leucine | 0.26 g |
| Lysine | 0.14 g |
| Methionine | 0.07 g |
| Cystine | 0.02 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.14 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.15 g |
| Valine | 0.19 g |
| Arginine | 0.07 g |
| Histidine | 0.07 g |
| Alanine | 0.10 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.23 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.63 g |
| Glycine | 0.07 g |
| Proline | 0.33 g |
| Serine | 0.10 g |
FAQ
What is the difference between half and half and heavy cream?
Half and half contains 10.5-18% milkfat, while heavy cream has at least 36% milkfat. Half and half is lighter and less rich, making it suitable for coffee and light sauces, whereas heavy cream is used for whipping and richer desserts.
Can half and half be used in coffee?
Yes, half and half is a popular coffee creamer, adding a creamy texture and mild flavor without the heaviness of heavy cream. It's often preferred for its balance of richness and lightness.
Is half and half suitable for people with lactose intolerance?
Half and half contains lactose, so it may not be suitable for those with lactose intolerance. However, some people with mild intolerance may tolerate it in small amounts, or they can use lactose-free versions.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.31 kcal/g · 10% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 4.1 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.46 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.