Starbucks Iced Coffee: An In-depth Look at Calories and Nutrition
Even though iced coffee can look innocent, it’s still important to consider the calories in Starbucks iced coffee. Whether you like a Caramel Iced Coffee or a Chai Iced Coffee Latte with almond milk, it pays to know what you’re drinking. The high-calorie content of these drinks can add up, making it important to have all the nutritional information.
Starbucks iced coffee is brewed differently than hot coffee. It’s made with a double shot of espresso added to cold water and then poured over ice. Due to the more intense brew process, it’s thought that iced coffee has more caffeine than hot coffee. Plus, when you add sweeteners, syrups, creamers and flavorings, you’re adding more calories.
Across the entire Starbucks iced coffee menu, there are variations in calorie content. The amount of calories depends on the size, type and additives used. Generally, an iced coffee without any added sugar or cream contains about 50 calories. However, this amount can double or even triple based on the type of iced coffee and additives you select.
For instance, if you choose a Caramel Iced Coffee with cream and classic syrup, you’re looking at a drink that contains somewhere near 170 calories. On the other hand, switching to almond or coconut milk brings those calories down to 120. If you’re looking to keep your calorie count down, it’s important to choose almond or coconut milk.
Moreover, a Grande Chai Iced Coffee Latte with classic syrup and made with 2% milk contains 170 calories. Similarly, if you go with almond milk, you’re only taking in 120 calories. While it’s easy to forget that a seemingly innocuous iced coffee can still have an impact on your calorie consumption, it’s still important to look at all the nutritional information that Starbucks provides.
But that’s not the only nutritional value you should be aware of. The majority of Starbucks iced coffees contain carbohydrates, which emphasize a huge portion of the calories in each drink. The same Caramel Iced Coffee with cream and classic syrup for instance, has around 35 grams of carbohydrates, or about 11% of the recommended daily intake for carbohydrates. Furthermore, iced coffees also contain a decent amount of sodium, with the same Caramel Iced Coffee having around 140 milligrams of sodium, or 6% of the recommended daily intake.
Added Sugar Content
All iced coffees include a certain amount of added sugar. A typical Grande Caramel Iced Coffee with cream and classic syrup contains 20 grams of added sugar, or 4 teaspoons. Keep in mind that consuming added sugar can contribute to weight gain and an increased risk of heart disease.
Fortunately, you’re not limited to traditional syrups when it comes to customizing your iced coffee. You can go “skinny” with a Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup, or swap sweeteners altogether and opt for a light version of the iced coffee. Just be aware that doing so won’t reduce the caffeine content, since it doesn’t affect the brewing process for iced coffee.
Speaking of caffeine, there is debate over how much a Starbucks iced coffee actually contains. Nevertheless, it’s estimated that a usual homemade iced coffee contains about two-thirds of the caffeine amount as a hot cup of coffee. Therefore, if you’re an avid caffeine-lover and you’re switching to an iced beverage, you’ll have to consider that you won’t get the same amount of caffeine.
Espresso Shots
Although calories increase with espresso shots, they also make iced coffee’s creamier and more tasty. For instance, a Grande Espresso Iced Coffee with 2% milk and no added syrups has 90 calories per serving. Similarly, a Grande Caramel Macchiato with 2% milk contains 110 calories.
Moreover, iced coffees made with espresso shots also contain higher amounts of other nutritional elements, such as carbohydrates and sodium. For instance, a Grande Caramel Macchiato has about 35 grams of carbohydrates – the same amount of carbohydrates as a Grande Chai Iced Coffee. Plus, it has 140 milligrams of sodium – the same amount of sodium as a Grande Caramel Iced Coffee.
On the other hand, Frappuccinos have a completely different nutritional profile. An Iced Vanilla Bean Frappuccino with 2% milk has 290 calories and 19 grams of fat. That’s why it’s important to always have all of the nutritional information to know what you’re drinking.
Other Nutrients
In addition to considering calories, it may be beneficial to be aware of the other nutrients in Starbucks iced coffee. Many of these drinks contain Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and Folate. For instance, the Chai Iced Coffee Latte with almond milk contains 1.8 milligrams of Vitamin C, or 10% of the recommended daily intake.
Plus, iced coffees may also contain calcium, magnesium and vitamin A. For example, the iced coffee with almond milk contains a significant amount of calcium, with 20% of the recommended daily intake per serving. Similarly, the Caramel Macchiato also contains 10% of the recommended daily intake of magnesium and 10% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A.
Milk Alternatives
It’s important to remember the alternatives to cow’s milk that Starbucks has to offer. All of these milks are lower in calories than 2% milk, making them a more desirable option. Soy and coconut milk each have 45 calories per Grande serving, while almond milk has 35. The difference in calories may seem small, but if you’re watching your calorie intake, it’s an important factor to consider.
Coconut milk, soy milk and almond milk also contain their own vitamins and minerals. Coconut milk has a significant amount of manganese and selenium, while soy milk contains more B vitamins than cow’s milk. Almond milk is another great choice for those watching their calories and sugar, as the unsweetened almond milk contains 0 grams of sugar.
Flavor Additives
If you’re looking to cut down on sugar, you can also opt for sugar-free syrups or sweeteners. Popular sugar-free sweetener options include Splenda, Stevia and Monk Fruit, which are available at Starbucks. The Monk Fruit sweetener is the newest addition to the Starbucks menu, and it contains zero calories and no sugar. It’s also a good alternative to keep in mind if you’re watching your calorie intake.
However, it’s important to remember that while Monk Fruit is generally considered healthy and has zero calories, it’s still important to read the label and understand what it contains. This way, you know exactly what you’re consuming in each iced coffee.
Artificial Sweeteners
When it comes to sweetening your iced coffee without added sugar, you can also choose artificial sweeteners. However, it’s important to choose artificial sweeteners that are low in calories and are deemed safe by the FDA. Artificial sweeteners such as acesulfame-k and aspartame, for instance, are not usually accepted in diets, as they carry their own risks and are considered to be potentially hazardous for your health.
Ultimately, understanding your iced coffee nutrition is key if you’re watching your calorie and sugar intake. Knowing what calories and nutritional content is in each iced coffee can help you make healthier decisions. Whether you opt for a chilled coffee, an iced espresso shot or a Frappuccino, be mindful of the nutritional components, and adjust your coffee order to suit healthier needs.
