Do you like cream in your coffee? How about sugar?

Personally, I like both of those things. I have had many cups of coffee over the past 30 or so years. More often than not (like 99.99% of the time), they’ve had something in them. This includes sugar, fake sugar, powdered creamer, actual creamer, milk, plant-based milk, etc. I’ve tried it all. Since I drink a lot of coffee, I try to stick to (at the very least) sugar-free options.

If you drink a fair amount of coffee, what you put into it can significantly add to your calories. It can also affect your sugar and fat intake for the day. A plain cup of coffee has almost no calories- typically 2-5.

“Fancy” coffees, on the other hand, are a different story. A medium frappuccino at Starbies is close to 400 calories. A medium frozen coffee at Dunkin’ has 600 calories.

To give some perspective: 400 calories is the equivalent of a large 3-egg omelet with cheese. A 600 calorie Dunkin drink is the equivalent of a cheeseburger with bacon. Think of those coffee drinks as a special treat. They’re almost like dessert- not a regular way to get your caffeine.

If you’re a “cream and sugar” type person, note how much of each is going into your coffee. Measure out a teaspoon of sugar (16 calories), and a tablespoon of half-and-half (20 calories). It’s not hard to add 100 calories to a cup without even realizing it.

If you want to be more mindful of how much you’re adding, measuring can help. After a few days, you’ll have a better idea what a serving is, and how much you’re actually adding.

As far as creamers go, there are many options out there. Some have dairy, and many do not. Coming soon- a full review of some of the popular choices out there, along with nutrition facts.

To sum up:

1. Coffee additives can significantly add to your calories for the day.
2. Specialty coffees can have high calorie counts.
3. Measuring your cream/sugar even for a few days can help you be more mindful of how much you’re actually adding.

What are your favorite ways to enjoy your coffee? Do you have a favorite brand of creamer? Take the poll below! I’d love to hear from you!