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Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, in large part due to its caffeine content.
While plain coffee can provide a boost of energy, it contains almost no calories. However, common additions like milk, sugar and other flavorings contribute further calories.
This article reviews how many calories are in common coffee drinks.
Calories in various coffee drinks
Since coffee is made by brewing coffee beans, it contains mostly water and therefore hardly any calories.
That said, not all drinks made with coffee are low in calories. The table below outlines the approximate number of calories in various coffee drinks.
- Black coffee: 2 calories per 8 ounces (240 mL)
- Iced black coffee: 2 calories per 8 ounces (240 mL)
- Espresso: 20 calories per 8 ounces (240 mL)
- Cold press (nitro cold brew): 2 calories per 8 ounces (240 mL)
- Brewed coffee from flavored beans: 2 calories per 8 ounces (240 mL)
- Coffee with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of French vanilla creamer: 32 calories per 8 ounces (240 mL)
- Coffee with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of skim milk: 7 calories per 8 ounces (240 mL)
- Coffee with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) half-and-half and 1 teaspoon of sugar: 38 calories per 8 ounces (240 mL)
- Nonfat latte: 72 calories per 8 ounces (240 mL)
- Flavored latte: 134 calories per 8 ounces (240 mL)
- Nonfat cappuccino: 46 calories per 8 ounces (240 mL)
- Nonfat macchiato: 52 calories per 8 ounces (240 mL)
- Nonfat mocha: 129 calories per 8 ounces (240 mL)
- Nonfat frozen coffee drink: 146 calories per 8 ounces (240 mL)
- Bulletproof coffee with 2 cups (470 mL) of coffee, 2 tablespoons (28 grams) of butter, and 1 tablespoon (14 grams) of coconut oil: 325 calories per 8 ounces (240 mL)
As you can see, espresso contains more calories than brewed coffee per ounce, as it’s more concentrated. However, a shot of espresso is typically only 1 ounce (30 mL), which has approximately 2 calories.
Additionally, coffee drinks made with milk and sugar are much higher in calories than plain coffee. Keep in mind that the number of calories in a milk-based coffee drink depends on what type of milk is used.
Summary: While plain brewed coffee contains almost no calories, coffee with dairy products, sugar, and other flavorings is much higher in calories.
Coffee drinks can add up
Depending on what you put in your coffee, as well as how much of it you drink, you may be consuming more calories than you think.
This may be especially true for those who use more than a couple of tablespoons of creamer or milk and a lot of sugar.
Drinking bulletproof coffee, which is made by blending brewed coffee with butter and coconut or medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, can also contribute a significant number of calories to your daily intake.
If you are watching your calorie intake or trying to lose weight, you may want to limit coffee drinks that have excessive amounts of sugar, milk, creamers, or flavorings.
In addition to calories, sweetened coffee drinks are typically high in added sugars. Consuming too much added sugar may be linked to health issues, such as heart disease, obesity, and poor blood sugar management.
Summary: Drinking coffee with too much milk, creamers, and sugar can lead to excessive calorie and added sugar intake.
Summary
Plain coffee is extremely low in calories. However, several popular coffee drinks contain high-calorie additions, such as milk, creamer, and sugar.
While consuming these types of beverages in moderation is not a concern, drinking too much of them may lead you to consume too many calories.
If you are curious about how many calories your coffee drink of choice provides, refer to the table in this article.
