Almond milk has become a popular alternative to dairy milk for many coffee drinkers. With a creamy texture and nutty flavor, almond milk can be a tasty addition to coffee drinks. Starbucks offers almond milk as a non-dairy option for many of their espresso-based beverages. But does Starbucks almond milk contain any sugar? Let’s take a closer look.
The Basics of Starbucks Almond Milk
Starbucks uses a branded almond milk called Almond Breeze Almondmilk Blend for their drinks. This almond milk is made specifically for use in coffee and tea beverages. It is an unsweetened almond milk fortified with vitamins and minerals. According to the nutrition information on the Starbucks website, one 8 oz cup of Starbucks almond milk contains:
- 45 calories
- 2.5g fat
- 0g sugar
- 1g protein
- 45mg sodium
- 45% calcium
- 25% vitamin D
As you can see, Starbucks’ own almond milk contains 0 grams of sugar per serving. So if you order an almond milk drink and get it with just almond milk, there will be no sugar added from the almond milk itself.
Sugar Content in Starbucks Almond Milk Drinks
While Starbucks’ almond milk does not contain added sugar on its own, many Starbucks drinks made with almond milk do contain sugar from other sources like syrups and sauces. For example:
- A Caffè Latte with almond milk contains 9g total sugars.
- A Cappuccino with almond milk contains 9g total sugars.
- A Caramel Macchiato with almond milk contains 25g total sugars.
These sugars come from the flavored syrups that are added to the espresso drinks, not directly from the almond milk itself. An unsweetened Caffè Latte or Cappuccino with only almond milk and espresso would have 0g sugar.
Customizing Your Drink Order
You can customize your Starbucks drink order to reduce or eliminate any added sugars:
- Order drinks made only with espresso and almond milk, without any syrups or sauces.
- Ask for sugar-free syrups to be used instead of regular, sugary syrups.
- Request a lower number of pumps of syrup than the standard recipe calls for.
- Ask for drinks to be made with less or no classic syrup, which is added by default.
- Order small or tall sizes instead of larger grandes or ventis.
Being aware of added sugars and customizing your order is key if you want to enjoy the taste of almond milk in your Starbucks drink without unnecessary extra sugars.
Nutrition Information for Custom Drinks
Wondering just how much sugar is in your customized Starbucks drink order? You can always ask them to scan the barcode on your cup to provide nutrition info. Or reference this handy chart:
| Beverage (Short/Tall Size) | Calories | Sugars (g) |
|---|---|---|
| Caffè latte with almond milk | 60 | 0 |
| Cappuccino with almond milk | 45 | 0 |
| Americano with almond milk | 5 | 0 |
| Espresso with almond milk | 10 | 0 |
As you can see from the chart, unsweetened espresso drinks with only almond milk contain 0g added sugars. So you can feel good about enjoying your customized Starbucks beverage without extra sugar!
Is Almond Milk Keto-Friendly at Starbucks?
Many keto and low-carb dieters enjoy almond milk at Starbucks since it is very low in net carbs. An 8 oz cup of Starbucks almond milk contains just 1g net carbs, making it a keto-friendly choice. Sticking to unsweetened espresso drinks made just with almond milk is a great keto option at Starbucks. For example, an unsweetened cappuccino with almond milk contains less than 1g net carbs. So you can still satisfy your coffee craving on a keto diet!
Almond Milk versus Other Starbucks Non-Dairy Milks
How does Starbucks almond milk compare to other non-dairy milk options on their menu? Here’s a breakdown:
| Non-Dairy Milk | Calories (8 oz) | Sugars (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almond milk | 45 | 0 | 1 |
| Coconut milk | 80 | 0 | 0 |
| Soy milk | 80 | 7 | 4 |
| Oatmilk | 120 | 7 | 2 |
As the table shows, almond milk is one of the lowest calorie and lowest sugar options for non-dairy milk at Starbucks. Soy milk and oatmilk contain 7g added sugars per 8 oz serving. So almond milk is the best bet if you want to limit sugar in your coffee drink.
Risks of Too Much Added Sugar
While small amounts of sugar are fine for most people, too much added sugar can negatively impact your health. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar intake to no more than:
- Men: 36g or 9 teaspoons per day
- Women: 25g or 6 teaspoons per day
The risks and health effects associated with over-consuming added sugars can include:
- Weight gain
- Increased triglycerides
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased risk of heart disease
- Fatty liver disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cavities and dental issues
Limiting added sugars in your drinks and overall diet can help minimize these health risks.
Tips for Ordering Low-Sugar Drinks at Starbucks
Here are some tips for reducing sugar in your Starbucks orders:
- Opt for unsweetened coffee or espresso drinks.
- Choose sugar-free syrups or use less pumps of regular syrups.
- Ask for almond milk or other unsweetened dairy-free milks.
- Go for small/tall sizes rather than large/venti.
- Avoid the sugary Frappuccinos, macchiatos, and specialty drinks.
- Always check nutrition info and customizes your drink order.
The Bottom Line
Starbucks almond milk contains no added sugar on its own. But many popular drinks made with almond milk do contain added sugars from flavored syrups and sauces. To keep sugar content low, stick to unsweetened coffee or espresso beverages made just with almond milk. Or be sure to customize your drink order to reduce unnecessary added sugars. This allows you to enjoy the creamy, nutty flavor of almond milk in your Starbucks beverages without excess sugar.