How Many Calories in 2 Tablespoons of Cream Cheese? Nutrition Facts

Understanding Cream Cheese Calorie Count

Cream cheese is a popular soft cheese with a smooth and creamy texture. It is made from milk and cream and is an ingredient found in many recipes and food items. When watching your calorie intake, it's important to understand how many calories are in cream cheese, especially when used as a snack or spread.

How Many Calories in 2 Tablespoons of Cream Cheese?

Two tablespoons or one ounce (28g) of regular cream cheese contains about 100 calories.

The calorie content comes mainly from the high fat content of cream cheese. Fat contains 9 calories per gram, making it a very calorie-dense nutrient.

Breakdown of Nutrients in 2 Tablespoons of Cream Cheese

• Total Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 31mg
• Sodium: 120mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 1g
• Protein: 2g

As you can see, a two tablespoon serving of cream cheese provides almost entirely fat and hardly any carbohydrates or protein.

Ways to Enjoy Cream Cheese as Part of a Healthy Diet

While cream cheese is high in calories and fat, you can still enjoy it in moderation as part of a healthy diet. Here are some tips:

Watch Your Portions

When spreading cream cheese on a bagel or using it in recipes, pay close attention to serving sizes. Stick close to 1-2 tablespoons per serving to keep calories under control.

Choose Low-Fat Varieties

Look for Neufchtel or "1/3 less fat" cream cheese options to reduce calories and fat intake. Two tablespoons of low-fat cream cheese has around 60 calories.

Use it to Flavor Dishes

Add small amounts of cream cheese to boost the creaminess and flavor of healthy dishes like oatmeal, yogurt, whole grain pancakes or waffles.

Pair with Fruits and Vegetables

Enjoy cream cheese as a dip paired with fresh cut vegetables or fruits. The vitamins, minerals and fiber help balance out the richness.

Low Calorie Cream Cheese Snack Ideas

When you're craving something rich and creamy, cream cheese can be a great snacking option when paired smartly with nutritious ingredients.

Cream Cheese Stuffed Strawberries

Fill fresh strawberries with whipped cream cheese for an elegant fruit and cheese pairing. Enjoy about 10 medium strawberries with cream cheese for less than 150 calories.

Mini Cream Cheese Vegetable Sandwiches

Spread cream cheese between slices of cucumber, bell peppers or zucchini. Cut into finger sandwiches for quick veggie "tea" snacks.

Cream Cheese and Smoked Salmon Bites

Top cucumber slices with a thin layer of cream cheese, a small piece of smoked salmon, lemon zest and fresh dill. At around 30 calories per two bites, it's a protein-packed nosh.

Blue Cheese and Walnut Cream Cheese Balls

Mix crumbled blue cheese into whipped cream cheese. Form into balls, roll in chopped walnuts and serve with apple slices. Two cheese balls has about 110 calories.

Is Cream Cheese Really Unhealthy?

While cream cheese is high in calories and fat compared to many other foods, consumed judiciously as part of an overall balanced diet, it can absolutely be part of an healthy eating pattern.

In fact, emerging research shows that eating full-fat dairy foods like cream cheese in moderation may:

• Help protect heart health
• Support weight management
• Reduce risk of type 2 diabetes

So go ahead and enjoy a bit of rich, creamy cream cheese from time to time without guilt or sabotaging your healthy diet!

The Bottom Line

When consumed in a mindful way by paying attention to serving sizes and pairing it with nutritious foods, cream cheese can be part of an healthy diet and still satisfy cravings. So savor every creamy, delicious bite of your one to two tablespoon portion!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.