Heavy Cream vs. Sour Cream

Nutrition comparison of Heavy Cream and Sour Cream


Ever wonder how your favorite foods stack up against each other in terms of nutrition?

We compared the nutritional contents of heavy cream versus sour cream (100g each) below using 2020 USDA and NIH data[1].

For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in heavy cream and sour cream:

  • Both heavy cream and sour cream are high in Vitamin A, calcium, calories and saturated fat.
  • Heavy cream has signficantly more Vitamin D than sour cream.
  • Sour cream has more niacin.
Detailed nutritional comparison of heavy cream and sour cream is analyzed below. You can also visualize the nutritional comparison for a custom portion or serving size and see how the nutrition compares.

USDA sources for nutritional information: Heavy Cream (Cream, fluid, heavy whipping) and Sour Cream (Cream, sour, cultured) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.


Image of Heavy Cream src
Image of Sour Cream src

Calories and Carbs

calories

Both heavy cream and sour cream are high in calories. Heavy cream has 72% more calories than sour cream - heavy cream has 340 calories per 100 grams and sour cream has 198 calories.

For macronutrient ratios, heavy cream is lighter in carbs, heavier in fat and similar to sour cream for protein. Heavy cream has a macronutrient ratio of 3:3:94 and for sour cream, 5:9:86 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.

Macro Ratios from Calories:

Heavy Cream Sour Cream
Protein 3% 5%
Carbohydrates 3% 9%
Fat 94% 86%
Alcohol ~ ~

carbohydrates

Both heavy cream and sour cream are low in carbohydrates - heavy cream has 2.8g of total carbs per 100 grams and sour cream has 4.6g of carbohydrates.

sugar

Heavy cream and sour cream contain similar amounts of sugar - heavy cream has 2.9g of sugar per 100 grams and sour cream has 3.4g of sugar.

Protein

protein

Heavy cream and sour cream contain similar amounts of protein - heavy cream has 2.8g of protein per 100 grams and sour cream has 2.4g of protein.

Fat

saturated fat

Both heavy cream and sour cream are high in saturated fat. Heavy cream has 127% more saturated fat than sour cream - heavy cream has 23g of saturated fat per 100 grams and sour cream has 10.1g of saturated fat.

trans fat

Sour cream has 36% less trans fat than heavy cream - heavy cream has 1.2g of trans fat per 100 grams and sour cream has 0.8g of trans fat.

cholesterol

Sour cream has 48% less cholesterol than heavy cream - heavy cream has 113mg of cholesterol per 100 grams and sour cream has 59mg of cholesterol.

Vitamins

Vitamin C

Heavy cream and sour cream contain similar amounts of Vitamin C - heavy cream has 0.6mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams and sour cream has 0.9mg of Vitamin C.

Vitamin A

Both heavy cream and sour cream are high in Vitamin A. Heavy cream has 231% more Vitamin A than sour cream - heavy cream has 411ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and sour cream has 124ug of Vitamin A.

Vitamin D

Heavy cream has signficantly more Vitamin D than sour cream - heavy cream has 63iu of Vitamin D per 100 grams and sour cream does not contain significant amounts.

Vitamin E

Heavy cream and sour cream contain similar amounts of Vitamin E - heavy cream has 0.92mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and sour cream has 0.38mg of Vitamin E.

Vitamin K

Heavy cream and sour cream contain similar amounts of Vitamin K - heavy cream has 3.2ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and sour cream has 1.5ug of Vitamin K.

The B Vitamins

Sour cream has more niacin. Both heavy cream and sour cream contain significant amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, Vitamin B6, folate and Vitamin B12.

Heavy Cream Sour Cream
Thiamin 0.02 MG 0.02 MG
Riboflavin 0.188 MG 0.168 MG
Niacin 0.064 MG 0.093 MG
Pantothenic acid 0.495 MG 0.472 MG
Vitamin B6 0.035 MG 0.041 MG
Folate 4 UG 6 UG
Vitamin B12 0.16 UG 0.21 UG

Minerals

calcium

Both heavy cream and sour cream are high in calcium. Sour cream has 53% more calcium than heavy cream - heavy cream has 66mg of calcium per 100 grams and sour cream has 101mg of calcium.

iron

Heavy cream and sour cream contain similar amounts of iron - heavy cream has 0.1mg of iron per 100 grams and sour cream has 0.07mg of iron.

potassium

Heavy cream and sour cream contain similar amounts of potassium - heavy cream has 95mg of potassium per 100 grams and sour cream has 125mg of potassium.

Antioxidants and Phytonutrients

carotenoids

Carotenoids are micronutrients commonly found in plants and some animal products. An example is beta-carotene, the notable carotenoid which is a popular source of Vitamin A.[4][5]

For specific types of carotenoids,

Heavy Cream Sour Cream
beta-carotene 72 UG 25 UG
lutein + zeaxanthin ~ 4 UG

Omega-3 and Omega-6

omega 3s

For omega-3 fatty acids, both heavy cream and sour cream contain significant amounts of alpha linoleic acid (ALA) and DPA.

Heavy Cream Sour Cream
alpha linoleic acid 0.128 G 0.074 G
EPA 0.009 G 0.006 G
DPA 0.02 G 0.011 G
DHA ~ 0.001 G
Total 0.157 G 0.092 G

omega 6s

Comparing omega-6 fatty acids, both heavy cream and sour cream contain significant amounts of linoleic acid.

Heavy Cream Sour Cream
other omega 6 0.039 G 0.018 G
linoleic acid 1.294 G 0.648 G
Total 1.333 G 0.666 G



Customize your serving size


The comparison below is by weight, but sometimes 100g isn't that intuitive of a measurement for food. View a custom portion comparison (e.g. cups, oz, package).

You can try adding or subtracting the amount of either Heavy Cream or Sour Cream .

Note: The specific food items compared are: Heavy Cream (Cream, fluid, heavy whipping) and Sour Cream (Cream, sour, cultured) .

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FAQ

Does heavy cream or sour cream contain more calories in 100 grams?
Both heavy cream and sour cream are high in calories. Heavy cream has 70% more calories than sour cream - heavy cream has 340 calories in 100g and sour cream has 198 calories.

Does heavy cream or sour cream contain more calcium?
Both heavy cream and sour cream are high in calcium. Sour cream has 50% more calcium than heavy cream - heavy cream has 66mg of calcium in 100 grams and sour cream has 101mg of calcium.