How Many Calories Are in a Cup of Coffee

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks around the world. Most people fail to realize the calorie content in their cup of joe. While coffee on its own is calorie-free, adding things like cream, milk, sugar, and flavoring can significantly increase the calorie content.

An 8-ounce cup of black coffee has only 2 calories, but adding just two tablespoons of cream and one teaspoon of sugar can add an extra 50 calories to your drink. Dairy-based creamers like half-and-half and whole milk are the biggest culprits, adding 20-50 calories to a single cup. If you’re looking to save even more calories, alternatives like almond milk or skimmed milk can help bring the calorie count down to 5 calories per cup.

Flavored coffees like mochas and lattes can be a good way to kick up the taste of your morning brew. However, they can be jam-packed with calories. For example, a large 16-ounce cappuccino made with whole milk and topped with whipped cream contains an estimated 230 calories. So if you’re counting calories and watching your weight, opting for non-dairy alternatives and unsweetened flavorings is the best way to enjoy your coffee without the guilt.

In conclusion, coffee itself is a very low calorie beverage. But once you start adding different creamers, sweeteners, and flavorings, you can quickly find yourself drinking an unhealthy amount of calories. To keep your cup of joe as low in calories as possible, opt for non-dairy creamers, unsweetened flavorings, and as little sugar as possible.