How Many Calories Does Coffee Have?

Author: Jessica Dillon

Updated: January 9, 2023

So, How Many Calories Does Coffee Have?

I understand wanting to be healthy and still enjoying your favorite beverages at the same time. If you’re like me, you probably try to avoid sugary energy drinks as much as possible. It’s a known fact that school and work can often cause you to need a burst of caffeine, especially in the mornings.

Coffee has long been seen as a healthy alternative to getting a quick burst of energy, but just how many calories do you consume in a cup? Is coffee actually something we should be drinking when on a diet, or is it the perfect drink for the calorie obsessed?

Calories In Coffee With Sweeteners

Sweeteners come in a variety of foam, including those little colored packets often given out at hotels. These are commonly used to replace sugar in coffee, and while their health benefits aren’t proven, it has become quite popular with those watching their calorie intake.

The general amount of calories in a packet of sweetener is two to four. There are some non-calorie sweeteners that you can add to your coffee. Just be sure to check your particular brand’s calorie count per serving to get the most accurate information.

Calories In Coffee With Sugar

If you have a sweet tooth, then you have probably already debated dumping a teaspoon of sugar in your drink. While sugar isn’t bad in moderation, depending on how many cups of coffee you drink a day, your calories and sugar count can slowly start to sneak up on you.

Sugar, white or brown, usually has around 16 calories per teaspoon when properly measured out. For every teaspoon of sugar, add 16 calories to your beverage.

Calories In Coffee With Honey

Honey is almost always seen as a healthier alternative to use in beverages or sweets. Honey is naturally occurring much like sugar; it doesn’t come with all the health issues. Honey is often much easier for our stomachs to break down than traditional sugar making it more effective in weight loss.

A tablespoon of honey, when correctly measured out, can have around 64 calories. While this is a high number, keep in mind that honey contains vitamins and antioxidants that help your body out. You should also keep in mind that if you only use a teaspoon of sugar per cup, a half teaspoon of honey will have the same sweetening effect.

Best Ways to Reduce Calories in Your Coffee

If you just learned that your favorite cup of specialty coffee is teeming with calories, then you’re likely looking for healthy alternatives. While drinking plain coffee is the most calorie efficient way to get a burst of energy, it’s not for everyone, and there are some great tips for getting rid of the bitterness without adding on calories.

My first bit of advice is to use low-fat sweeteners and creamers. There are tons of diet flavoring tools available in grocery stores for those looking to cut calories. Honey, as mentioned above, is another great way to get good calories in your diet and can be much sweeter than just adding in teaspoons of sugar.

If you use milk in your coffee, then try skim or low-fat varieties. You can even turn to almond or coconut milk to cut back further. Some coffee fans will even add in a bit more water to dilute the strong taste of the coffee.

You should also avoid calorie-packed flavors like mocha and caramel. If you want more flavor to your coffee, then try adding in hazelnut or a bit of vanilla flavoring. Never add in syrups like fast-food joints do to your coffee or whip creams, these may taste great, but will make the calorie count jump.

You should also try and make your coffee at home, as you’re less likely to be tempted by that exclusive beverage at the coffee shop. There are tons of low-fat K-cup options for those who have limited time in the mornings.

FAQ

Does black coffee have calories?

Black coffee does indeed have calories. Generally, a cup of black coffee will clock in at 5 calories and zero fat. This negligible caloric value makes black coffee a great drink to consume when you’re watching your waistline but be sure to watch the amount of sugar you add to your favorite beverage as this will have a significant effect on your caloric intake.

How many calories are in a cup of coffee with cream?

2 ounces of cream in your coffee adds 120 calories and 12 grams of fat; add that to the 5 calories already found in a standard cup of black coffee and you end up with a hot beverage weighing in at 125 calories before sugar in any form is added to it.

Does flavored coffee have calories?

Flavored coffee beans (beans that have natural or synthetic oils and esters added to them after the roasting process) do not have any extra calories as compared to regular coffee beans. This means that a cup of just black coffee made from flavored beans will have 5 calories. If your coffee is flavored by adding sugar-based syrups, then the caloric content will increase significantly.

How many calories are in an iced coffee?

Iced coffee is coffee that has been brewed with hot water, cooled, and then served over ice for a refreshing beverage. Served in its purest form, iced coffee will have around 5 calories per cup, though this value will change depending on the amount of coffee used in the brewing process and if sugar or fats (dairy or non-dairy creamers) are added to the iced coffee.

Does coffee burn calories?

Coffee can raise your resting metabolic rate (RMR) and as a consequence burn calories. This is because the caffeine found in coffee stimulates the burning of stored fats and has been found to increase fat burning by as much as 29% in lean people and 10% in obese individuals.

The number of calories in a cup of coffee will depend on the type of coffee that you like to drink. You’ll have to look at the ingredients that you put into the cup to see just what you’re actually getting.

How many calories are in a cup of black coffee?

A plain cup of black coffee has less than 5 calories and zero fat in it. Emphasis on the word “plain”! Most calories in coffee beverages come from added sugar and then fats in the form of dairy and non-dairy creamers. If you like your coffee pure, then the only thing to watch is the number of sugars you add to your cuppa joe!

How many calories are in a cup of coffee with cream?

Adding 2 ounces of cream to your coffee adds 120 calories and 12 grams of fat; given that a standard cup of black coffee contains about 5 calories before any additions are made, a cup of coffee with cream and no sugar will result in 125 calories.

How many calories are in a cup of coffee with milk?

If you use whole milk to lighten up your coffee, 2 ounces will add 38 calories; 2 ounces of 2 percent milk adds 30 calories and 2 ounces of non-fat milk will add 22 calories. This means that a standard cup of coffee will contain between 27 and 43 calories before any sugar is added.

How many calories are in a cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee?

Given the wide variety of beverages available on the Dunkin Donuts menu, a 10-ounce cup of black coffee contains 5 calories whereas a large Frozen Mocha Coffee Coolatta with cream contains 1050 calories! As always, moderation is key and with the ability to customize your coffee beverage to your taste comes the ability to inflate the number of calories in your coffee.

How many calories are in a cup of Americano Coffee?

A 16-ounce Americano Coffee contains roughly 9 calories with all of the calories coming from the espresso used to make it. Seeing that the only other ingredient in an Americano Coffee is water, this coffee staple is a great option for those looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle (as long as you watch the number of sugars you add!)

Conclusion

If you are looking to cut back on sugary drinks, then coffee is a safe choice. While many drive-through and specialty options can be high calorie, homemade coffee and sweeteners are usually low in calories.

There are tons of options to help flavor your cup while keeping your count in mind, like honey. Have fun experimenting with different sweeteners, creamers, and flavor packets to find the perfect cup for you.