When ordering coffee or tea drinks, you may see options like “skinny” or “light” on the menu. These terms refer to lower calorie or lower fat versions of popular beverages. Choosing a skinny drink is a way to enjoy your favorite coffee or tea while reducing the amount of fat, calories, sugar or dairy.
What Does Skinny Mean?
The term “skinny” on a drink menu indicates that the beverage has been modified to be a lower calorie or lower fat version. Here are some key things that “skinny” drinks have:
Fewer Calories
Skinny drinks reduce the calorie content by using lower calorie ingredients. For example, a skinny latte may use nonfat or lowfat milk instead of whole milk. Other calorie-reducing tweaks could include using a sugar substitute instead of sugar or omitting high-calorie toppings like whipped cream. Overall, a skinny drink has at least 25% fewer calories than the full-fat version.
Less Fat
One of the main ways skinny drinks reduce calories is by using little to no fat. Using nonfat or lowfat milk is a key way to create a skinny version of a coffee or tea latte. Other ways to reduce fat could include using fat free sweeteners like skinny syrups. Overall, skinny drinks aim to have very minimal amounts of fat.
Lower Sugar
Some skinny drinks also reduce added sugars by using artificial sweeteners instead of regular syrups or sugars. For example, a skinny mocha would use sugar-free chocolate syrup rather than regular sugary mocha sauce. Keep in mind that some skinny drinks still contain natural sugars from dairy and other ingredients. But they have little to no added sugars or sweeteners.
Fewer Carbs
Since sugar is a carbohydrate, lower sugar skinny drinks also have fewer carbs. Using sugar substitutes instead of regular syrups or sugars can reduce the carb content compared to a full sugar beverage. Some keto or low carb dieters specifically seek out skinny drinks for the carb reduction.
Examples of Popular Skinny Drinks
Here are some examples of popular coffee and tea drinks that can be ordered “skinny” style:
Skinny Latte
A skinny latte is made with nonfat or lowfat milk instead of full fat milk. It may also use less syrup flavoring or a sugar-free syrup.
Skinny Mocha
A skinny mocha uses sugar-free chocolate sauce instead of regular sugary mocha syrup. It’s also made with nonfat milk.
Skinny Vanilla Latte
This latte is flavored with sugar-free vanilla syrup and made with nonfat milk to reduce calories and fat.
Skinny Caramel Macchiato
A skinny caramel macchiato uses sugar-free caramel drizzle and nonfat milk.
Skinny Chai Tea Latte
Chai tea concentrate contains spices and black tea. Ordering it skinny uses nonfat milk and less concentrated chai for fewer calories.
Skinny Cappuccino
A skinny cappuccino is made by steaming nonfat milk instead of whole milk for a foamy, frothy coffee drink.
Nutrition Comparison of Regular vs. Skinny Drinks
To see the calorie difference choosing a skinny style drink can make, here’s a nutrition comparison of some popular coffee drinks in their regular and skinny versions (based on 12 oz small sizes):
| Drink | Regular (calories) | Skinny (calories) |
|---|---|---|
| Latte | 190 | 100 |
| Mocha | 330 | 150 |
| Caramel Macchiato | 250 | 140 |
| Cappuccino | 140 | 60 |
As you can see, going skinny can slash calories by 100 or more per drink! Of course, exact calorie counts vary by cafe and customization. But the skinny versions consistently have at least 25-50% fewer calories than full-fat drinks.
Going Skinny for Weight Loss
Ordering skinny drinks can be a simple way to cut calories and fat for weight loss goals. For example:
- A woman needing about 2000 calories a day could save 150 calories with a skinny latte instead of a whole milk version.
- A man needing 2500 daily calories could save 180 calories with a skinny mocha versus a full-fat mocha.
- Choosing a skinny caramel macchiato over a regular one could slash 110 calories.
While that may not seem like a huge difference, choosing lower calorie beverages consistently can really help shed excess pounds over time. Skinny drinks are an easy swap to make throughout the day.
Going Skinny for Diets
Beyond simple calorie counting for weight loss, going skinny with coffee and tea drinks can fit into many popular diets:
Keto/Low Carb Diets
Since skinny drinks use less added sugar and sugar substitutes instead, they contain fewer carbs. This makes them a great option for keto and low carb dieters who restrict carbs to 20g net carbs or less per day. A 16oz skinny mocha has around 10g net carbs versus 40g in a full sugar version.
Diabetes Diets
People with diabetes also need to watch carbs to manage blood sugar levels. Opting for skinny drinks reduces carb counts and added sugars, making them more diabetic-friendly.
Gluten-Free Diets
Those avoiding gluten for medical reasons like celiac disease can enjoy most skinny drinks. Ingredients like coffee, milk, sugar-free syrups, and cocoa powder are naturally gluten-free. Just verify cafes use gluten-free skinny syrups.
Vegetarian/Vegan Diets
Choosing plant-based milk alternatives like almond or oat milk can make nearly any skinny coffee or tea drink suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.
Potential Downsides of Skinny Drinks
While ordering skinny can slash calories and fat, there are a few potential downsides to keep in mind:
Artificial Sweeteners
Sugar-free syrups and sweeteners used in skinny drinks are typically artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, stevia, or ace-K. Some people have concerns about possible long-term effects of regular artificial sweetener consumption.
Taste Differences
Using less flavoring and nonfat milk can make some skinny drinks taste more watery or less rich than full-fat versions. However, many coffee shops do a great job minimizing taste differences. Choosing flavors like mocha or caramel can mask the missing fat.
Expense
Some cafes charge extra to modify drinks to be skinny. Expect to pay $0.50 to $1 more for specialty skinny beverages. Making them at home avoids this upcharge.
Caffeine Content
Note that going skinny does not reduce caffeine content. A skinny latte has the same caffeine as a regular latte if shot amounts are equal. Those sensitive to caffeine may still need to limit quantities.
How to Order Skinny Drinks at Cafes
Ready to start trying some skinny coffee and tea drinks? Here are some tips for ordering them:
Use “Skinny” or “Light”
Use terms like “skinny” or “light” to indicate you want a lower calorie version. For example, “I’ll take a small skinny vanilla latte please.” Some cafes may have their own terms like “trim” for light drinks too.
Specify Milk
Be sure to indicate you want the drink made with nonfat or lowfat milk. Common options are nonfat, 1%, 2% or soy milk. Almond or oat milk may cost extra.
Mention Sugar-Free Syrups
If you want sugar-free syrup flavoring versus regular, specify that too. For example, “I’d like a tall skinny cinnamon dolce latte with sugar-free syrup and nonfat milk please.”
Skip the Toppings
To truly minimize calories, also skip high-calorie toppings like whipped cream and syrup drizzles. Or ask for a sprinkle of cinnamon instead.
Making Skinny Drinks at Home
You can also easily make skinny coffeehouse-style drinks at home. All you need is:
- Coffee or tea
- Nonfat or lowfat milk
- Sugar-free flavor syrups
- Sweetener like stevia, if desired
Making your own skinny beverages allows you to control the quality of ingredients and avoid paying upcharges. With a little practice, you can whip up healthy skinny lattes, mochas, chais and more!
Conclusion
Opting for skinny versions of popular coffee and tea beverages is an easy way to cut calories and fat content. Skinny drinks use nonfat or lowfat milk, sugar substitutes, and fewer flavor syrups to slash the calorie count by at least 25%. Choosing these light drinks can assist with weight loss, as well as fit into low carb, vegetarian, and other diets. Just be aware that taste may be slightly different and some cafes charge extra for these specialty beverages. Overall, going skinny is a smart swap to control calories without sacrificing your favorite coffeehouse flavors.