The biggest coffee company on earth, Starbucks, offers a wide variety of coffee drinks that range from indulgent and flavor-rich recipes, to some surprisingly low-calorie options. Even if you’re looking to cut calories from your coffee routine, you don’t have to sacrifice flavor. Depending on the size and choice of milk, some drinks are approximately under 100 calories. Consequently, you don’t need to worry if you are trying to stay fit while still getting your coffee fix.
According to nutritionist Kaleigh McMordie, the lowest calorie coffee drink at Starbucks is the Caffè Americano, which is a blend of espresso shots topped with hot water. A grande-sized Americano without milk or any add-ons contains just 15 calories – making it one of the healthiest drinks on the Starbucks menu. The fact that it’s made with espresso means that it packs a serious punch of caffeine.
Caffe Misto
Another low-calorie option at Starbucks is the Caffe Misto – a drink that combines espresso with steamed milk. According to Starbucks’ online nutrition facts, a grande-sized Misto with non-fat milk contains just 80 calories. This option is low-calorie enough to fit within most diets, but it still has a creamy and well-rounded flavor thanks to the combination of espresso and steamed milk. It’s also a good option if you want to reduce your caffeine intake, as the ratio of espresso to milk is much lower than in other espresso-based drinks.
Furthermore, orders of Caffe Misto can be customized with whichever type of dairy or dairy alternative that you prefer, including almond, coconut, soy, and oat milk. All of these can be used in the Misto for a delicious, low-calorie option. If you’re looking for a creamier version of the Misto, you can also ask for a double shot of espresso for a slightly higher calorie count of 170 calories.
Espresso Shots
Espresso shots on their own are obviously the lowest calorie option at Starbucks. One single shot of espresso only contains 5 calories and packs a punch with 65 mg of caffeine. However, it can be a bit intense and bitter for many, so adding a splash of non-fat milk or a sugar-free syrup can make it more enjoyable. On their own, espresso shots can be a great low-calorie way to start your day or give you an energy boost before a workout.
Nutritionists also recommend adding a shot of espresso to drinks like skimmed or semi-skimmed milk, or, healthier yet, an unsweetened plant-based milk. Adding an espresso shot to a large cup of your choice of milk, for example, can make for a satisfying but much lower calorie option when compared to a flavored latte.
Black Coffee
Some people don’t like to add things to their coffee, however, and for them, the best option is an Americano black coffee. It doesn’t come with any additives, yet it still has a strong, intense flavor. It’s only 10 calories for a grande-sized Americano, but it still contains around 180 mg of caffeine.
Adding some other flavors to the Americano without dramatically increasing the calorie count, is possible. Splenda and Stevia, both artificial sweeteners, can be added. Furthermore, feeling creative with how you flavor your coffee is encouraged, as long as the additives are low in calories. A popular addition to Americanos and other black coffees, among many baristas, is a splash of cinnamon, which at just 3 calories per teaspoon adds a distinct flavor without adding too many calories.
Cold Coffee Drinks
If you’re searching for cold, low-calorie coffee drinks, there are also other options. Cold brew is a popular choice, with a grande-sized cup containing just 15 calories if no milk is added. However, if you do want to add milk, opt for skimmed or semi-skimmed milk, and it’ll still come out to just 50 calories.
Coffee specialists’ advice when getting cold coffee drinks at Starbucks is to try to avoid adding sugar. The sugar-free syrups that Starbucks’ offers can provide the same sweet taste, but without the extra calories. Additionally, you can request for less syrup, or for the syrup to be served on the side. This way, you can add a bit of flavor to your coffee, but you’ll have more control over the calorie count.
Changing Habits
If you’re trying to make healthier choices when it comes to coffee, be aware that the calories in a cup of coffee are easily underestimated. Over time, a few extra calories in your coffee can add up and have a bigger impact than you think. Even so, the options at Starbucks make it easier to stay fit while still enjoying your coffee. Many of their drinks are lower-calorie options; if you stick to those and customize them with healthier swaps, you’ll be able to find the perfect balance without needing to compromise.
Incorporating Non-Caffeinated Options
Additionally, there are non-caffeinated options to choose from as well. Such examples like Green Tea Frappuccino Blended Beverages, which are packed with electrolytes, and can provide an effective energy boost. Furthermore, if it is a bit too sweet for your liking, opt for the light version, which reduces the amount of fat, calories, and added sugars.
In essence, one doesn’t need to sacrifice their health for a coveted caffeine fix. Specialists suggest taking a few moments to read through the nutrition label, familiarize oneself with the ingredients, and choosing the beverage that best fits within any dietary plan. This will make your coffee-drinking journey a nutritious, high-flavor experience.
Personalizing Beverages
Baristas at Starbucks are willing to customize drinks to meet your dietary needs, as long as they’ve been informed in advance. They can help you find a balance between your diet and your craving for something both delicious and healthy. They may even suggest adding a sugar-free syrup as a blend-in, or making a low-calorie Starbucks Refreshers or Iced Shaken Fruit. Both of these drinks contain only natural fruit juice and oils, and they come without the guilt.
If you want a creamy option, ask for the Almond Drink. It is made with almond milk, and can be blended with a dash of espresso for an extra flavor. Usually, these drinks have far fewer calories than a standard latte. And if you want something different altogether, try out Starbucks’ Teavanna Shaken Iced Tea lemonades, herbal teas, and more – for a fraction of the calories.
Greeting Tea and Coffee
Green and black tea can actually be just as good, if not better than coffee for a morning pick-me-up. Even better, since green tea is naturally caffeinated unlike many other herbal and fruit teas, you can reap the same benefits as drinking coffee, without the crash. Green tea is lighter than coffee, significantly lower in calories, and higher in antioxidants and vitamins. Furthermore, green tea’s caffeine content has been noted to give one just the right amount of energy, instead of an energized jolt that can be sometimes experienced with coffee.
Greeting tea has many health benefits, and can be flavored with a plethora of sugar-free syrups or with only a splash of milk. Starbucks has multiple teas on their menu, so there is something sure to be unique, but healthy for everyone.
Reducing Calfeine Intake
If you don’t want to eliminate coffee altogether and are looking to reduce your caffeine intake, Starbucks offers more than just decaf coffee. Teas like matcha, herbal teas, and rooibos also contain caffeine, but it isn’t as concentrated as coffee’s, and can be perfect for anyone looking for a gentler boost of energy.
Also, Starbucks’ chai tea lattes, matcha lattes, and golden ginger drinks all taste great, and offer the same creamy, lightly sweet flavor that’s usually associated with coffee – but with contain fewer calories, and may be much easier on the stomach.
Healthy, Low-Calorie Coffee Alternatives
If you are looking for a healthier way to get your coffee fix, dairy-free coffee recipes and ingredient swaps can help you make better-for-you drinks. For instance, flat whites and macchiatos are usually made with espresso, a splash of milk and silky foam, but opt for a non-dairy option like oat or almond milk, or a plant-based creamer – these non-dairy milks can still offer the creaminess that you want without putting an extra strain on your diet. More often than not, these can often be healthier, with fewer calories and saturated fats.
Above all, it is important to not forget that the safest way to reduce calories in your coffee is to keep it black. An espresso shot or Americano can still provide enough flavor, without the fattening syrup, or high-calorie dairy.
