Coffee with almond milk and honey can be a delicious and satisfying beverage. However, many coffee drinkers wonder about the calorie content of their favorite coffee order. Understanding the calories in coffee with almond milk and honey can help you make informed choices to meet your health and nutrition goals.
Quick Answer
On average, a 16 oz (medium) coffee with almond milk and honey contains:
- 60-80 calories from 1 tbsp honey
- 30-60 calories from 8 oz almond milk
- Less than 5 calories from brewed coffee
So a medium 16 oz coffee with 1 tbsp honey and 8 oz almond milk has approximately 90-140 calories, depending on the brands used.
Calories in Brewed Coffee
Brewed coffee itself is very low in calories. An 8 oz cup of black coffee only contains 2 calories. The calories come from trace amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in the coffee beans.
Even adding cream or milk won’t make plain black coffee too high in calories. An 8 oz cup of coffee with 2 tbsp of cream or whole milk adds just 52 calories. Skim or low-fat milk adds even less. Non-dairy milks like almond or coconut milk keep the calorie content low as well.
Calories in Almond Milk
The calories in almond milk can vary by brand. Most contain 30-60 calories per 8 oz serving. For example:
- Silk original almond milk: 60 calories per 8 oz
- Blue Diamond almond breeze: 30 calories per 8 oz
- Califia Farms: 50 calories per 8 oz
Unsweetened or original flavored almond milks tend to be lowest in calories. Vanilla or chocolate flavored almond milks may have slightly more calories due to added sugar.
Almond milk contains very little fat or protein compared to dairy milk. Most of the calories come from carbohydrates due to the almonds and added sugars or flavorings.
Calories in Honey
Honey contains approximately 60 calories per tablespoon. The calories come entirely from carbohydrates in the form of natural sugars.
The exact calories can vary slightly by honey type:
- Clover honey: 64 calories per tbsp
- Wildflower honey: 60 calories per tbsp
- Acacia honey: 60 calories per tbsp
Since a typical coffee order includes about 1 tbsp of honey, you can expect around 60 calories from the honey alone.
Nutrition Info Per Serving
Here is the nutrition information for a typical medium 16 oz coffee with 1 tbsp honey and 8 oz almond milk:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 90-140 |
| Total Fat | 2.5-5g |
| Carbs | 15-25g |
| Protein | 1-2g |
| Sugar | 14-20g |
As you can see, the majority of calories come from carbohydrates and sugar. There is very little fat or protein.
Ways to Reduce Calories
If you are looking to reduce the calorie content of your coffee with almond milk and honey, here are some tips:
- Use a smaller amount of honey, like 1/2 tbsp
- Choose unsweetened almond milk
- Use stevia or monk fruit to sweeten instead of honey
- Request a smaller size coffee (12 oz rather than 16 oz)
- Switch to low-fat or skim dairy milk
- Skip the honey and sweeten with cinnamon
With some simple adjustments, you can bring the total calories down to 50-80 calories per serving.
The Bottom Line
Coffee with almond milk and honey can make for a tasty caffeinated treat. But with the honey and almond milk, the calorie count increases compared to black coffee.
On average, a medium 16 oz coffee with 1 tbsp honey and 8 oz almond milk contains about 90-140 calories. To lighten it up, use less honey, switch to a lower calorie milk, or opt for other natural sweeteners like stevia or cinnamon.
Knowing the calories allows you to enjoy your favorite coffee drink while still meeting your health and nutrition goals for the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in a Grande coffee with almond milk and honey from Starbucks?
A Grande (16 oz) Starbucks Caffè Latte with almond milk and 1 tbsp honey contains approximately 110-140 calories. Starbucks almond milk has 60 calories per 8 oz serving. The tbsp of honey adds around 60 calories. So the total is 110-140 calories.
Is almond milk or coconut milk lower in calories?
Almond milk and light coconut milk are similar in calories. Regular almond milk and light coconut milk both provide about 30-50 calories per 8 oz serving. However, full-fat coconut milk is much higher in calories with around 110 calories per 8 oz serving.
Does almond milk have carbs?
Yes, almond milk does contain carbohydrates. An 8 oz serving provides 7-12g net carbs, coming from the almonds themselves which contain fiber and some natural sugars. The exact amount of carbs depends on the brand. Unsweetened almond milk has the lowest amount of carbs.
Is honey healthier than sugar in coffee?
Honey and sugar have a similar number of calories – about 60 calories per tablespoon. However, honey provides trace amounts of vitamins and minerals whereas white sugar has none. Honey also has a slightly lower glycemic index than regular sugar. So honey can be a somewhat healthier choice to sweeten coffee in moderation.
Does almond milk curdle in coffee?
Almond milk may curdle or separate when added to hot coffee. This happens because the proteins in almond milk can coagulate from the heat and acidity of coffee. To prevent curdling, stir the almond milk into the coffee slowly. You can also add the almond milk first, then pour over the hot coffee. Soy or oat milks are less likely to curdle.
Conclusion
Coffee with almond milk and honey is a tasty and comforting beverage enjoyed by many people. But with the added mix-ins, the calories can quickly add up. On average, you can expect a 16 oz coffee with 1 tbsp honey and 8 oz almond milk to contain around 90-140 calories.
Being mindful of serving sizes and choosing lower calorie options for milk and sweeteners allows you to keep the calorie content reasonable. This way, you can enjoy the coffee drink you love without going overboard on calories.