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How Many Calories Are In A Cup Of Coffee?
Want to know how many calories are in your favorite cup of coffee?
Published November 18, 2021
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Joachim Estal
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Nowadays, we become more concerned about health which sometimes refrains us from enjoying our favorite food and beverages. Keeping track of the calorie count of whatever we consume is one of the easiest ways to maintain fit.
However, most of us can never give up caffeine, especially since it gives us our daily energy that keeps our nerves pumped up. While energy drinks are now becoming more popular and accessible, these beverages are filled with sugar and calories, and you may want to avoid them. Instead, go for a healthier option to get that quick caffeine fix you need–a cup of coffee.
How Many Calories Does A Cup Of Coffee Have?
A cup of coffee is probably the healthiest option to get the dose of caffeine our body needs every day. But how many calories does a cup of coffee have? If we're on a diet, is coffee something we should actually drink?
Calories In A Cup Of Black Coffee
Are there calories in coffee that's plain and black? The answer is yes! But it's very low.
Ordering a cup of black coffee can generally get you only 5 calories and zero fat. This kind of caloric value makes it the perfect beverage when you're on a stringent diet. Just be careful of the amount of sugar or sweeteners you add to your black coffee, as this may significantly affect the number of calories you intake.
Calories In Coffee With Milk
Adding milk into your cup will translate into more coffee calories. Every 2 ounces of milk has about 31 calories, which means adding this amount to your black coffee will get you 36 calories altogether. Espresso beverages like lattes and cappuccinos generally have more calories as these drinks contain more milk.
Calories In Coffee With Cream
Adding 2 ounces of cream into your cup of coffee adds 120 calories. And since it's mostly made up of fat, 2 ounces of cream adds 12 grams of fat into your cup. While cream is very high in calories, it's rich in choline, a fat-soluble vitamin, and some minerals as well. However, if you consistently go overboard with cream in your coffee, your waistline will most likely pay the price.
Calories In Coffee With Sweeteners
Sweeteners come in different forms and are commonly regarded as an alternative to sugar. While the health benefits aren't all proven yet, this option has become very popular among health buffs who watch the calories they take every day.
Most of these sweeteners have about 2 to 4 calories per packet. In addition, some are even non-caloric. If you want to get the most precise information about the calorie content of these products, make sure to always check the calorie count per serving of each brand.
Calories In Coffee With Sugar
Some of us prefer their coffee sweet and are usually adding a teaspoon of sugar (or two) to our cups daily. While sugar isn't that bad if consumed in moderation, your calorie count will also depend on how many cups of coffee you drink daily. Every teaspoon of white or brown sugar dumped into your coffee beverage will add about 16 calories.
Calories In Coffee With Honey
Honey is the healthier alternative for sugar and sweeteners, especially if you want to make a beverage sweet. It'sIt's an organic product that is much easier to break down in the tummy than sugar, making it more effective for losing weight.
One tablespoon of honey is about 64 calories. While this calorie count is relatively high, honey contains many vitamins and antioxidants that are good for the body. In addition, half a teaspoon is sweet enough for your cup, which equals fewer calories.
Calories In Iced Coffee
Since iced coffee is brewed the same way as with regular coffee, this beverage has the same amount of calories, too–5 calories. This number will only change if the amount of coffee used is altered or creamers or sweeteners are added to the drink.
Best Ways To Reduce Calories In Your Cup Of Coffee
Drinking a cup of plain black coffee isn't for everybody, which is why most of us add sweeteners and cream to tone down the bitterness of the beverage. However, most of us are also concerned about the calories we intake to get the same burst of energy. And so, here are some tips on how you can reduce the calories in a cup of coffee.
- If you're concerned with the amount of calories in coffee with cream and sugar, try low-fat sweeteners and creamers. These flavoring items are readily available in grocery stores.
- Replace sugar with honey. As mentioned above, you will only need a smaller amount of honey to make your coffee sweeter. In addition, it's full of health benefits as well.
- If you like adding milk into your coffee, switch to skim or low-fat options. Furthermore, almond, soy, or coconut milk can even cut back the calories further.
- Avoid flavors like mocha and caramel as they are packed with calories. While a bit of hazelnut or vanilla flavoring is okay, syrups in most coffee joints will only make your calorie count go higher.
- Try making your coffee at home. In this way, you are less likely to get tempted to order calorie-filled beverages in coffee shops.
Does Coffee Burn Calories?
Coffee can actually raise your resting metabolic rate (RMR), which can burn calories. Caffeine is found to stimulate the burning of stored fats in the body. With this, fat burning can increase as much as 29% in lean individuals and 10% in obese.
Conclusion
Coffee is the safest choice if you need that energy boost while maintaining a low calorie intake for the day. Now you know how many calories in a cup of coffee are present, it's time to experiment with different sweeteners, creamers, and flavors to look for the perfect (low-calorie) cup for you!
About the author
Joachim Estal
8-year barista for a world-class coffee chain from the Philippines. Passionate writer and coffee champion. "Coffee has always been one of my biggest love interests in life. And I am here to share it with all of you through this platform."
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