How Many Calories In A Cup Of Coffee?
There isn’t really a straight answer to the amount of calories in coffee.
This is because coffee comes in many shapes and sizes and it sometimes is quite hard to quantify.
However, I’ll give it a go.
Coffee is one of the most extensively consumed beverages on the planet.
Whether it’s due to the delicious flavours, various health benefits associated with it, tradition, caffeine, socialising…
…The list is endless.
If you are an avid calorie counter or you’re just curious about how many calories you’re knocking back each time you order a or make a latte at home, you’re in the right place to find out.
So let's get into the details!
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How Many Calories In A Cup Of Coffee?
The short and clear answer to this question is zero calories.
Yes, coffee itself contains almost 0 calories...
But it can easily go from nearly no calories to a lot of calories once you start adding things like sugar, milk, and flavourings!
But do calories really matter? Well, yes!
If you're trying to lose weight or simply want to live a healthier lifestyle, the calorie count does matter.
Therefore, it is important to know the calories in coffee after adding your favourite ‘plus ones’ such as milk, cream, and/or sugar.
However, to understand coffee calories, you must understand what calories are!
What Actually Is A Calorie?
A calorie is a term that's frequently taken for granted, and the meaning is generally interpreted negatively.
Simply, a calorie is a unit of energy.
Calories are used to measure the quantity of energy contained in food or drink; therefore, if we consume a lot of calories, we will receive that energy as well.
Energy is required by our body to keep us alive and our organs operating properly.
The issue is that if we consume more calories than we expend, the excess calories and energy do not simply vanish.
Extra energy is stored in the form of fat.
Calories that aren't stored as fat are subsequently used to fuel the body's daily activities, which include everything from brisk walking to running.
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What Are The Different Calories In Different Types Of Coffee?
If you are adding a lot of different ingredients to it, you are actually consuming a lot more calories than you originally expected.
Below, we've mentioned the calories included in the most popular types of coffee.
Calories In Black Coffee
Black coffee contains either 0 or very few calories.
DAt most, a cup of black coffee has no more than five calories.
Calories In Milk-Based Coffee
A milk-based coffee's calorie is dependent on the type of milk used.
Skim milk contains approximately 22 calories per 2-ounce coffee cup.
While 2 percent milk contains approximately 30 calories per 2-ounce cup.
And if you're using whole milk in your coffee, it'll add a total of 38 calories per 2 ounce.
Ref: Flat White cups = 6oz, Lattes & Cappuccinos = 8oz - 12oz.
Calories In Coffee With Cream And Sugar
Adding sugar and cream to your coffee will significantly boost the calories.
A teaspoon of sugar adds 16 calories, while two ounces of cream adds 120 calories.
Calories In Coffee With Sweeteners
Sweeteners are available in several forms, including those small colourful packets that are frequently given out at hotels.
These are often used to substitute sugar in coffee, and while their health benefits have yet to be proved, they have become very popular.
A packet of sweetener typically has two to four calories.
To get the most accurate information, check the calorie count per serving of your sweetener brand.
Calories In Coffee With Honey
A tablespoon of honey can contain roughly 64 calories.
Although this is a big number, honey contains vitamins and antioxidants that are beneficial to your body.
Remember that a teaspoon of sugar per cup will have the same sweetening effect as a half teaspoon of honey.
Calories In Iced Coffee
Depending on the specific blend you use, iced coffee with no other additives (aside from the ice) will have no calories or less than five. But adding other ingredients will increase the calories.
Calories In Frozen Coffee Drinks
Frozen coffee drinks can contain a lot of calories, ranging from a few hundred to a thousand or more, depending on the components.
With fewer or lower-calorie ingredients, some are around 300 calories or more.
Which Coffee Is The Healthiest & Lowest In Calories?
To enjoy the healthiest form of coffee, drink it as plain as possible and without adding anything.
Although it will take some time for your taste buds to adjust, you will soon find that you love drinking coffee in this way especially when you use high quality speciality coffee.
This doesn't mean that you should never drink coffee with sugar or cream.
It's fine to have one as a treat every now and then, but frequently drinking it may prevent you from reaching your weight loss and health goals.
Also, if you like to drink coffee with milk, go for skim or low-fat milk. And to cut back even more calories, you can switch to almond or oat milk.
How Many Calories Does A Cup Of Black Coffee Have?
Roughly 2 calories, however this is again a rough estimate and can change with type of brew method, the type of coffee and obviously the volume of black coffee.
How many Calories Are In A Cup Of Coffee With Milk And Sugar?
Roughly 80 calories.
This really depends on the milk and the sugar. However, a rough estimate of a coffee with 2 sugars is 80 calories.
Is milky coffee high in calories?
Milk adds calories to coffee, with the amount of calories depending on the type and amount of milk used and the type of coffee drink.
Whole milk has about 60 calories per cup, this is roughly per 100ml serving which is equivalent to a flat white.
Adding one tablespoon of cream increases the calorie count to about 50, and one teaspoon of sugar adds about 15 calories.
So it depends on how much milk and what kind you use, but generally speaking, milk coffee is not considered high in calories.
The Final Verdict
There are many coffee options available.
Experiment with different sweeteners, creamers, and flavours to find the ideal cup for you.
But remember that excessive milk, creamers, and sugar in coffee can increase calories and added sugar intake.
In addition to calories, too much added sugar consumption has been related to health problems such as obesity, heart disease, and poor blood sugar control.
Therefore, if you want to reduce the number of calories in your coffee, the best thing you can do is eliminate the additives!