I am a fan of the keto diet since I have successfully used it. With any diet, however, the problem arises when you head to a cafe or restaurant. Personally, I faced issues because I am a Starbucks regular. This forced me to dig deeper into their carb counts and come up with this list of 15 low carb Starbucks drinks.
How did I compile this list of low-carb Starbucks drinks?
Starbucks’s official website has nutrition information for every drink. I went through numerous drinks to compile this list of low-carb Starbucks drinks.
Benefits of low-carb Starbucks drinks
- According to this report, consuming fewer carbs suppresses appetite, resulting in lower calorie consumption and weight loss.
- As per this report, lowering carb intake helps one lose weight and shed fat around the abdominal cavity.
- According to research by Ralph A DeFronzo (MD) and Eleuterio Ferrannini (MD), low-carb consumption helps people with diabetes regulate their blood sugar levels better.
- As per E J Parks, carb consumption increases harmful triglycerides in the body. By lowering carb intake, one can reduce their levels resulting in better cardiac health.
15 Low carb Starbucks Drinks
1. Decaf Pike Place Roast
Carbs: 0g
Decaf Pike Place Roast is a perfect low-carb drink that offers the same authentic coffee taste with underlying flavors of chocolate and toasted nuts.
2. Fresh brewed coffee Featured Dark Roast
Carbs: 0g
Do not fancy decaf drinks?
Ideal for those who aren’t into decaf drinks, freshly brewed coffee that is devoid of milk is also a wonderful no-carb option. Pike Place, blonde or dark roast, they all let you enjoy coffee’s robust flavors without compromising your diet.
3. Caffe Americano
Carbs: 3g
Even the venti serving of Caffe Americano contains just 3 grams of carbs. The combination of espresso and hot water topped with a light crema layer makes this drink a perfect way to start your day.
4. Espresso
Carbs: 4g
The largest serving size of Starbucks’s espresso, the Quad (3 fl oz), has just 4g of carbs. Espresso is an excellent choice to kick-start your day brimming with energy while sticking to your diet.
5. Espresso Con Panna
Carbs: 3g
Ever tried adding cream to your espresso? That’s what espresso con panna does. It’s a traditional espresso shot topped with a dollop of whipped cream. With just 3 grams of carbs in the largest serving size, it won’t disrupt your diet plan.
6. Iced green tea
Carbs:0g
Iced Green Tea is a zero-carb, popular tea offering at Starbucks. Herbal teas without any sweeteners are a great friend when you’re on a low-carb diet, just add some sugar-free sweetener to taste.
7. Nitro cold brew
Carbs: 0
What sets Nitro Cold Brew apart from regular brew is nitrogen infusion to cool it down and introduce microbubbles for frothy goodness. Make it sweeter by adding sugar-free syrup.
8. Teavana Sparkling Unsweetened Green Tea
Carbs: 1g
This drink qualifies under the low carb drinks because of multiple characteristics like:
- No milk
- No sweetener
- No additional ingredients other than tea
Infused with peach and nectarine, Teavana Sparkling Unsweetened Green Tea is a refreshing taste splash with just one gram of carb. As this drink contains no milk, no sweetener, and no additional ingredients other than tea, it’s a perfect low-carb option. Plus, it’s bottled, so you can stock up ahead of time.
Note:
Not all low carbs Starbucks drinks are available on the menu. The ones listed below require some customization to cut out the carbs. The ordering procedure is highlighted below.
9. Keto mocha
Carbs: 6g
To get the Keto Mocha, you need to order the mocha with skinny mocha sauce and substitute regular milk with high-fat alternatives like coconut milk with heavy cream. Although it’s not the drink with the lowest carbs, it’s definitely one of the tastiest!
10. Keto Caramel Macchiato
Carbs: 9g (with light caramel drizzle)
Fans of caramel macchiato will be glad to know that they can still enjoy their favorite drink in a ‘keto way’. For this, replace the regular milk with coconut milk, add two pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup and skip the caramel. However, if you can’t give up the caramel, to keep the carb count relatively low you can go for a light caramel drizzle on top.
11. Keto Cafe Latte
Carbs: 4g
To make the usual latte into a Keto Cafe Latte, eliminate sugar and substitute regular milk with coconut milk or heavy cream.
12. Keto London Fog
Carbs: 5g
Get the Keto London Fog, a variant of the regular Iced London Fog Tea Latte (which has 37 g carbs in the venti size) by swapping the regular milk for full-fat or coconut milk, adding sugar-free vanilla syrup, and finally, going heavy cream.
13. Keto Frappuccino
Carbs: 5g
Yes, you can indeed enjoy a Keto Frappuccino on your diet! Just ask the barista to skip the usual frappuccino base because of its sugar content. Request an iced coffee with 3 pumps of sugar-free vanilla sweetener and 2 pumps of heavy cream, and to blend everything in frappuccino style.
14. Keto Cinnamon Dolce Latte
Carbs: 15 g
To enjoy a low-carb Keto Cinnamon Dolce Latte, order it with almond milk or half cream and half water instead of regular milk. Ask the barista to swap the usual cinnamon dolce syrup with a sugar-free one, keeping it to 2 pumps. To add some extra flavor, you can add a cinnamondolce drizzle on top.
15. Caffè Misto
Carbs: 4g
For a low-carb twist on the Caffe Misto, order it with half coffee and half steamed milk, and add some heavy cream. You can even ask the barista to make your drink extra frothy for better texture.
Note:
The carb quantity mentioned is for the biggest serving size of that drink.
Useful Tips for Ordering Low-Carb Starbucks Drinks
Reducing carb intake in your Starbucks drink is possible when you stick to a few rules. Here are some helpful tips:
- Choose the Right Milk: Regular 2% milk can increase your carb intake. Opt for full-fat milk or cream to keep you satisfied and your carbs down.
- Be Specific: Make sure to specify all your required modifications when ordering as not all drinks are low-carb by default.
- Bring Your Own Sweetener: Though Starbucks offers sugar-free sweeteners, they may not suit every drink. Bringing your own low-carb sweetener is a smart move.
Understanding Low Carb Diets
A low-carb diet typically restricts carbohydrate intake to under 100 grams per day, focusing on protein and healthy fat consumption in the likes of meat, fish, nuts, and avocado.
Weight loss, improved blood sugar control, and better cholesterol levels are some of the benefits of adopting a low-carb diet.
FAQs
What coffee drink has the least carbs?
Fresh brewed coffee Featured Dark Roast is a 0-carb coffee drink. It doesn’t get any lower than that.
Can I have a latte on keto?
Yes, but with some modifications like no sugar and substituting regular milk with coconut or heavy cream milk.
Are there any keto-friendly add-ons at Starbucks?
Heavy cream, half and half, and Almond milk are the keto-friendly add-ons one can add to their drinks.
What is the difference between a low-carb and keto diet?
A low-carb diet typically restricts carbohydrates to less than 100 grams per day, while a keto diet restricts carbohydrates to less than 50 grams per day. A keto diet also emphasizes high-fat consumption and moderate protein intake.
Can I drink milk in my low-carb Starbucks drink?
Yes, you can drink milk in your low-carb Starbucks drink. However, it is important to choose a low-carb milk option, such as almond milk or soy milk.
Can I add sweeteners to my low-carb Starbucks drink?
Yes, you can add sweeteners to your low-carb Starbucks drink. However, it is important to choose a low-carb sweetener, such as stevia or erythritol.
What are the best low-carb drink options at Starbucks?
Some of the best low-carb drink options at Starbucks include brewed coffee, caffè Americano, iced tea, and sugar-free lattes made with almond milk.
How many carbs are in a typical Starbucks drink?
The number of carbs in a Starbucks drink varies depending on the type of drink and the modifications made. However, many Starbucks drinks contain a significant amount of carbohydrates, especially those made with syrups and sauces.
Can I still drink Starbucks if I have diabetes?
Yes, people with diabetes can still enjoy Starbucks drinks. However, it is important to choose low-carb options and avoid drinks made with sugary syrups and sauces. It is also important to monitor blood sugar levels and adjust insulin doses as necessary.
Conclusion:
Bookmark this post, so there is no need to dig up carb numbers the next time you are at Starbucks. Order from this list, and enjoy delicious drinks without compromising your diet.
