Cream, heavy
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Heavy cream is the rich, velvety layer skimmed from the top of milk, boasting a luxurious, pourable texture and a sweet, milky flavor. Nutritionally, it's a powerhouse of energy, with nearly all its calories coming from a high concentration of dairy fat. This makes it an incredibly dense source of fuel and a key ingredient for creating decadent textures in cooking.
Calorie split: 2% protein · 4% carbs · 93% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore heavy cream for its unparalleled ability to transform dishes, adding a silky, luxurious mouthfeel and a deep, milky sweetness. Its versatility is legendary, serving as the foundation for everything from whipped cream and ice cream to rich pasta sauces and soups.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its very high saturated fat and calorie content can be a concern for heart health and weight management if consumed in excess. Those with lactose intolerance or a dairy allergy must avoid it. To enjoy it mindfully, practice strict portion control (e.g., a tablespoon in coffee) and balance it by pairing it with high-fiber foods like vegetables or whole grains in a meal.
Key benefits
- Provides a concentrated source of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.
- Excellent source of energy due to its high calorie and fat content.
- Contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid studied for potential health benefits.
- Adds richness and satiety to meals, helping you feel full longer.
- A natural source of calcium for bone health.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The legal minimum butterfat content for cream to be labeled 'heavy cream' in the United States is 36%, but many premium brands contain 40% or more, which makes them whip faster and hold their shape better.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 58.1 g |
| Energy | 343 kcal |
| Protein | 2.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 35.6 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 3.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 2.9 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 61.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.00 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 6.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 57.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 97.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 21.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.22 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.00 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 3.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.60 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.03 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.19 mg |
| Niacin | 0.06 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.03 mg |
| Folate, total | 4.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 4.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 4.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 16.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 327 ug |
| Retinol | 327 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.92 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 1.6 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 3.2 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 20.4 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.73 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.61 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.38 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.91 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 1.1 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 3.4 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 9.3 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 3.2 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 7.3 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.66 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 8.0 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.6 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.75 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.13 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.06 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 103 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Cream, fluid, light (coffee cream or table cream) — USDA does not publish this profile for Cream.
| Tryptophan | 0.07 g |
| Threonine | 0.13 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.15 g |
| Leucine | 0.24 g |
| Lysine | 0.13 g |
| Methionine | 0.07 g |
| Cystine | 0.01 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.14 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.14 g |
| Valine | 0.18 g |
| Arginine | 0.07 g |
| Histidine | 0.07 g |
| Alanine | 0.09 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.22 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.59 g |
| Glycine | 0.07 g |
| Proline | 0.31 g |
| Serine | 0.10 g |
FAQ
What's the difference between heavy cream and whipping cream?
In the U.S., heavy cream must have at least 36% milkfat, while whipping cream is slightly lighter at 30-35%. Heavy cream whips to a stiffer, more stable peak and is less likely to curdle when heated.
Can I use heavy cream in coffee?
Yes, it's a popular keto-friendly coffee addition. It adds richness and calories without sugar, but a little goes a long way. Start with a small splash.
How do I store leftover heavy cream?
Keep it tightly sealed in its original container in the coldest part of your refrigerator (not the door). Once opened, it should be used within 5-7 days.
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 3.43 kcal/g · 2% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 2.9 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: 0.22 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.