Which Dairy Free Milk for Coffee Has The Least Calories?

When you cut back on your calories, it doesn't mean you have to give up your love for coffee! When you swap regular dairy milk for a plant-based one, you can like a tasty brew while lowering your calorie intake. Finding the right dairy-free milk that fits your taste and goals is a big part of staying satisfied with every cup.

When you pick the dairy-free milk with the fewest calories, it helps you control your intake. You have a few options - like almond, rice, soy, oat, or coconut milk. Each one comes with its own pros and cons - these can add an interesting twist. The lighter feel of almond milk and the rich texture of oat milk create a situation where taste, texture, and calorie count all matter.

Here's to enjoying your coffee and sipping in a healthier way! Let's get started.

Calories In Dairy-Free Milks

When you choose dairy-free milk for your coffee, you might want to know that the calorie counts can change quite a bit based on what you pick.

The reason is that plant-based milks naturally give you fewer calories than regular dairy milk. And they can give you a lighter cup! See how cashew milk wins as the lowest-calorie option - you can expect about 25 calories per cup. You might also want to remember unsweetened almond milk, which usually comes in between 30 and 40 calories per cup. It can be another nice light choice.

Make sure that you check your carton since a small mistake can throw off your calorie count. I learned this lesson the hard way when I accidentally grabbed sweetened coconut milk instead of the unsweetened version I usually buy. That mix-up caused more than double the calories I normally like.

Remember that different businesses can give you some very different calorie counts. The reason you see these numbers is because of how each company makes its oat milk.

You might find that one brand puts as few as 40 calories per cup in your oat milk drink. Another brand can have as much as 120 calories. That means you have to read the label every time.

You can count on soy milk to be fairly steady, usually staying around 80 calories per cup. It remains a reliable choice that can give you a lighter option compared to whole dairy milk. People stick with it because of its protein content and naturally rich and creamy texture.

Be prepared for surprises as you look at different dairy-free alternatives. Rice milk (just to give you an example) tends to come in at around 120 calories per cup. That makes it one of the heavier plant-based milks. Hemp milk usually lands right in the middle, with about 60 calories per cup.

Keep an eye out for labels that say "barista combination" or "coffee creamer." You might see these versions have added oils and thickeners that help create the perfect foam. Sadly, this also means they frequently bring extra calories along with them.

Also, know that the biggest calorie spike comes from added sugars in flavored milk. You might find that vanilla-flavored almond milk carries two or three times as many calories as its unsweetened version. That means you need to look at the label for words like "original" or "sweetened" - which are signs for extra calories.

Almond Milk Is The Lightest Option

When you want to keep your coffee calories in check, you might find that unsweetened almond milk is quite a winner! It can add only about 30 to 40 calories per cup. That means you might start your day with a lighter option that helps you stay on top of your calorie count. You'll probably like a smooth and nutty flavor that fits into your schedule without any fuss.

I saw immediately when I swapped regular milk for almond milk in my coffee. I was pleasantly surprised by the gentle, nutty taste, and I quickly grew to love it. It works wonderfully in your hot and iced coffees. It can give your drink a soft flavor that lets the coffee beans be their best without any stress.

Keep an eye on sweetened almond milk. It can add as much as 73 calories per cup. That means you might end up with more than double the calories compared to the unsweetened version. The extra sugar can add up over time, so reading the label is a good move if you want to keep things light.

When you try different varieties, you might see that each one has its own taste. Some give you a natural sweetness. Others have a more understated flavor that lets your coffee speak for itself. You might find that the options at your local store work well, and there are even fancier selections available. So take your time and experiment until you find one that feels just right.

Your morning coffee doesn't need to pack a calorie punch. A common 12-ounce cafe latte made with almond milk holds about 97 calories, and it can give you a tasty start to your day without an excessive calorie load.

You could be curious to learn that even adding just a splash of almond milk contributes around 13 calories to your coffee. That means you could've multiple cups throughout your day while still keeping your calorie count in check.

But almond milk might not be for everyone. If you have a nut allergy, then you'll need to choose alternatives that are safe for you.

Rice Milk And Its Thin Texture

You might like to try rice milk because it works as one of the lowest-calorie options with dairy-free coffee selections!

A common cup holds only about 45 to 60 calories. So you can sip a great coffee without worrying too much about the calorie count.

You might see that the texture of rice milk seems different if you're new to dairy alternatives. Its thin and light consistency sets it apart from other plant-based milks. It'll give you a lighter and more delicate drink that shows a flavor profile.

You can also get a naturally sweet but balanced taste from rice milk. It lets your coffee's flavor remain front and center, even though you might find that your brew tastes a bit watery when you want a fuller character.

Remember that not every rice milk is created equal. Some businesses add thickeners or extra sweeteners to fix up the texture and taste. But others fortify their products with vitamins and minerals to give you extra nutritional benefits.

You need to know that rice milk gives very little protein - only about 0.3 grams per cup. It also contains roughly 7 grams of carbohydrates and 3 grams of fat. That makes it a good choice if you like a light coffee experience.

You might also find that the liquid nature of rice milk works in iced coffees and other refreshing drink options. It lets the natural flavors of your coffee be at their best, so your cup stays crisp without adding heaviness.

You might want to adjust your usual coffee recipe when using rice milk. Its thin consistency means you might need to use a bit more to achieve a balanced flavor while still keeping the calorie count low.

Soy Milk For Moderate Calorie Intake

Soy milk is becoming a popular option for coffee lovers like you who want to try out a creamy drink while keeping the calories low. You can get a drink that usually holds about 80 to 100 calories per cup - which makes it a balanced choice with the plant-based milks. You also receive roughly 7 grams of protein per serving - like what you might expect from cow's milk.

You might find that soy milk with your coffee will need a little extra care. It tends to curdle when poured into very hot coffee. So, you can stay away from this by gently warming the soy milk before adding it to your cup. Give it a quick whisk afterward, and you'll see that your drink stays smoother and tastes nice!

You should also know that soy milk changes in taste. Some businesses give you a thick and creamy texture, while others come off as a bit watery. The sweetness level changes, too, which means it's a sensible idea for you to experiment with a few different businesses. Find the one that matches your taste. Since store-bought versions usually have added sugars, take a bit to check the nutrition label if you're watching your calorie intake.

You could be excited to learn that some coffee shop options are designed to keep calories to a minimum. Just to give you an example, if you like visiting establishments like Starbucks, you can try their unsweetened iced coffee made with soy milk. It only has 26 calories for a tall serving. Also, a regular hot coffee with plain soy milk usually comes in around 30 calories per serving. This depends on how much milk you add.

You should also think about how well soy milk froths when you make your own coffee drinks. Even though it doesn't foam as richly as regular milk, you can still create a decent froth with a milk frother or a combination tool.

Baristas have honed their skills with soy milk, and they create beautiful latte art that rivals traditional dairy versions. Remember that soy is one of the common allergens, so you need to be careful if you have any sensitivities. You might also pick up on a slight beany flavor if you're used to dairy milk. You might need some time to get used to it. However, some businesses have managed to cut back on that flavor in their barista combinations.

Oat Milk Tends To Be Higher

You might like oat milk in your coffee. If you're thinking about how many calories it has per cup, I thought you'd like to know that one cup usually contains about 120 calories. It makes it one of the better dairy-free selections available! You might also like the creamy and rich texture of oat milk, and here's why it feels so smooth.

When you turn oats into milk, enzymes break down the starches into natural sugars. This process creates that signature and silky feel that coffee lovers like you like. Some establishments even add a bit of oil to improve the creaminess even more.

You might have seen that coffee shops now take oat milk as their preferred dairy-free option. They favor it because its natural sweetness and luxurious texture bring out the best properties in nice espresso drinks. Its mild taste complements coffee, and you'll see it froth beautifully when you order a latte or a cappuccino. You should also know that you'll find oat milk in two main varieties at most stores - unsweetened and flavored.

The unsweetened version sticks to that 120-calorie baseline, and it makes everything easy. Flavored versions like to pack a few extra calories because they have added sugars.

Some businesses create barista combinations specifically made for coffee drinks. If you're wondering why the calorie count is higher, know that most of the calories you get from oat milk come from its carbohydrates. A single cup contains about 15 grams. Oats absorb water during production, which means more of the original oat material stays in the final drink and increases its carbohydrate content.

You can compare this with other dairy-free options as well. Almond milk usually can give you only 30 to 40 calories per cup, while soy milk comes in at around 80 calories. Coconut milk is close to 45 calories, and pea milk stays lower at about 70 calories per cup. See your options and look at the pluses each one has.

Coconut Milk Has High Fat Content

If you love the taste of coconut in your coffee, you might want to be a bit careful with coconut milk because its calories can add up faster! Regular coconut milk might sometimes set you back on your caloric intake unexpectedly. A single cup of the full-fat version contains over 500 calories - it'll be a surprise if you're watching your intake.

You can like its rich and creamy texture because it comes from a high fat content. This fat is actually what can give you some of that thick and luxurious foam in delicious lattes and cappuccinos. That same fat structure makes it perfect to improve your drink's texture, even though it can add extra calories.

You can also look around at most grocery stores and see lighter versions of coconut milk. These alternatives give you that tropical flavor while keeping the calorie count lower. The taste still stays true. It has coconut notes and gentle sweetness that work with your coffee.

You might like the silky and smooth quality that coconut milk brings to your cup. It blends well with hot coffee and stops any weird separation that sometimes happens with other dairy-free milks. This smooth combination is one of the reasons you love your coffee (whether you're sipping at home or grabbing it from a coffee shop).

Coffee shops give you full-fat and lighter coconut milk options. It'll give you the chance to choose between that ultimate creaminess and a more calorie-conscious choice. The lighter varieties still froth well for your specialty drinks, even if they don't give you the same deep richness as the full-fat kind.

You also might find that coconut milk changes your regular cup of coffee into a little tropical escape. It can add a natural sweetness that might even let you skip adding extra sugar or sweetener. Its flavor works with your brew, and it gives it a fun twist.

When you pick coconut milk for your coffee, take a bit to glance at the label. Some businesses may have extra items like thickeners or sweeteners, and these additions might raise the calorie count even past what the natural coconut content brings.

Finding The Perfect Blend

You can create a coffee experience by picking some ingredients that might work well for you - without giving up on the taste you love! You can take charge of your morning by picking the nice balance that feels right to you. If you want fewer calories or a creamier texture, you can choose to have what matters in your cup. That little difference might brighten your entire day.

You might find that every coffee combination looks different from one person to the next. You might like the deep and rich flavor of oat milk while keeping an eye on calories. Or you might like the refreshing and lighter taste of almond milk. You can make better decisions that match your lifestyle, and even a small difference might bring more joy to your morning schedule. The perfect drink can set a positive tone for the whole day ahead. That's what we want!

You might see an improvement when you have a pick-me-up that works. At Teami, we create teas that do just that. That helps you to sleep better, stay healthy, and feel wonderful. You can also check out our natural skin products, which give your complexion a healthy and radiant glow. You should stop by our store to try something your body will thank you for!