Who are these criteria useful for?

Families who make sauces regularly

You’re looking for a texture that works in sauces, soups or family meals such as mash, while comparing the fat content with that of full-fat cream.

Households comparing food labels

You want to check the nutritional values per 100 g and the amount you plan to use in the dish, rather than relying on the word “light” or “mild” alone. The French national health insurance service recommends looking at nutritional information in relation to the amount consumed.

Parents of a child with diabetes

You’re looking for a product that’s easy to include in a family meal, without overlooking your child’s specific dietary advice. The French national health insurance service stresses that their diet should be tailored to their diabetes.

What should you compare before buying?

For a sauce or mash to serve the family, start with the texture you need. Then compare the products that could work for your recipe by checking their labels and the amount you plan to use.

Criteria What to check Who is it for?
Fat Compare the fat and saturated fat per 100 g of products that suit your recipe. If my main aim is to reduce the fat in the cream added to a dish, I need to be able to tell a 15% product apart from full-fat cream at 30%. Around 50% of consumers put reducing fat at the top of their list of needs.
Texture and recipe Check whether the product is thick or pourable, and what uses are recommended for that specific product. For mash or a family sauce, I need a texture that works in the dish and that my child will enjoy at mealtimes. This is the top priority for roughly 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and portion size Read the product description, ingredients, carbohydrate and sugar content per 100 g, then consider how much you’ll use. If I’m comparing crème fraîche with a dairy alternative, I want to understand how their recipes differ and what I’m actually adding to the meal. Around 20% of consumers make this their priority.

Common pitfalls to avoid

  • Assuming “light” means a particular fat content

    A Président cream described as light contains 25 g of fat per 100 g, according to its listing on Auchan. The description alone isn’t enough to compare it with crème fraîche at 15% or a dairy alternative at 4%.

    Before choosing, check the fat and saturated fat per 100 g for each product.

  • Confusing a dairy alternative with crème fraîche

    Elle & Vire’s 4% pourable product is a dairy alternative, made differently from thick crème fraîche. Its texture may not give you the same result in a dish.

    Check the product description and choose a texture that suits the sauce, soup or mash you’re making.

  • Comparing values per 100 g without considering how much you’ll use

    Values per 100 g make it easier to compare products, but they don’t necessarily reflect the amount added to the dish and then served. The French national health insurance service advises looking at nutritional information in relation to the amount consumed.

    Work out how much the recipe needs, then use the label to compare products.

  • Choosing a mild texture based on your child’s dietary needs

    A texture your child enjoys at mealtimes doesn’t, on its own, tell you whether the product is suitable for a child with diabetes. The French national health insurance service says their diet should be tailored to their diabetes.

    Choose the recipe and portion size in line with the advice from your child’s healthcare team.

Brands to consider, depending on the product

Président

A 25% fat light cream gives you a point of comparison with creams containing 12–15% or 30% fat.

  • Auchan’s listing for this product shows 25 g of fat and 18 g of saturated fat per 100 g.
  • Despite being described as “light”, its fat content is higher than that of the 12–15% products mentioned here.

Elle & Vire

The products mentioned include a 4% pourable dairy alternative and a 12% organic light thick crème fraîche.

  • According to Carrefour’s listing, the 12% thick cream is recommended for dishes including quiches and hot sauces.
  • The 4% pourable dairy alternative isn’t the same product as thick crème fraîche, and may not be suitable for the same uses. Check the ingredients and the recipe you have in mind.

Carrefour

Carrefour Classic’ full-fat thick crème fraîche at 30% is worth considering if your recipe calls for full-fat cream.

  • Carrefour’s listing shows that it’s made with pasteurised crème fraîche and lactic cultures.
  • Its 30 g of fat per 100 g is not equivalent to the 12–15% fat content of the light creams mentioned here.

E.Leclerc / Marque Repère Delisse

Delisse light thick crème fraîche at 15% gives you a point of comparison for recipes that need a thicker texture.

  • E.Leclerc’s listing shows 15.3 g of fat and 10.1 g of saturated fat per 100 g.
  • Check the label on the product you choose: ingredients and nutritional values can vary across the range.

Auchan

Auchan light thick crème fraîche at 15% can be compared with full-fat cream when your recipe calls for a thicker texture.

  • Auchan’s listing shows 15 g of fat and 9.6 g of saturated fat per 100 g.
  • Follow the storage instructions for this product, which should be kept between 0 °C and +6 °C, as well as the guidance on the packaging after opening.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Products related to this topic will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Should households affected by diabetes avoid buying crème fraîche?

No. You don’t need to automatically rule out this category. The French national health insurance service recommends a diet that meets the person’s needs: compare the label and consider how much you’ll use in the meal.

Does cream described as “light” always contain little fat?

No. Products described this way don’t all have the same fat content, and a 4% dairy alternative isn’t crème fraîche. Compare the product description and fat content per 100 g on the packaging.

Is “mild” enough to help you choose cream for a child with diabetes?

No. Taste or texture preferences are no substitute for checking the nutritional information. For a child with diabetes, you should also follow the dietary advice agreed with their healthcare team.

What should you look for on the label when comparing two products?

First compare the product descriptions, then check the fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate and sugar content per 100 g, as well as the ingredients. The French national health insurance service also advises looking at these values in relation to the amount consumed.

What should you do if someone in your household is allergic to milk?

Before using a product, check the ingredients and allergen labelling on its packaging: the cream products mentioned contain milk or cream. Don’t assume they’re suitable for someone with a milk allergy just because of their fat content.