Coffee is one of our daily rituals and an energy boost. However, while we enjoy sipping iced coffee’s refreshing taste, certain popular additions such as heavy cream and extra sugar can pack it with empty calories and unhealthy fats that may increase its caloric intake significantly. That is why understanding how to order a healthier iced coffee beverage will allow you to feel confident about getting your caffeine fix!

One effective way to cut back on sugar consumption is by ordering black coffee. With only five calories per 12 ounces, black coffee provides an effective solution for saving on calories while eliminating sweeteners and creams from your beverage. For those who dislike plain coffee’s taste, adding cinnamon or vanilla powder as flavor enhancement can give it more depth without racking up extra sugar or calories.

Not only should you limit the sugar in your coffee drink, but consuming non-fat or low-fat milk when ordering an iced coffee is another key way of cutting calories by 25-50 per drink. By selecting lower calorie options like non-fat or low-fat options instead of full fat options, your total calorie count could easily drop accordingly.

Choose non-dairy alternatives like almond or coconut milk for a smoother texture and added protein in your drink. While they still contain some sugar and fat, their lower glycemic index means your blood glucose response will remain more steady.

Another effective way of reducing sugar in iced coffee is requesting only a drizzle of syrup rather than the traditional large pour. While this may seem counterintuitive, most iced coffees use this technique; you will discover that just one drizzle actually adds much less sweetness than an overly generous portion of syrup would.

If you do decide to add sugar, opt for no-cal or low-cal sweeteners like Stevia or Splenda that provide flavor without as many calories. These options can help create your favorite taste without the guilt.

Make your iced coffee even healthier by creating your own “skinny” syrup at home. Moe posted an easy DIY recipe on Tiktok he calls the “ultimate iced skinny caramel.” Simply combine a tablespoon of your natural, sugar-free syrup (such as this brand from Target) with cold brew iced coffee for a drink that is both delectable and low cal.