Quick Answer
Yes, there are calories in Green Mountain caramel vanilla cream coffee. The calories come from the sugar and fat that are added to give the coffee its sweet, creamy, and indulgent flavor.
Calorie Content
Green Mountain states that an 8 fluid ounce serving of its caramel vanilla cream coffee contains:
- 60 calories
- 0 grams of fat
- 12 grams of carbohydrates
- 11 grams of sugar
The calories in the caramel vanilla cream coffee come entirely from the added sugar. Each gram of carbohydrates provides 4 calories. So with 12 grams of carbohydrates per serving, that equates to 48 calories just from the carbohydrates.
The remaining calories come from the small amounts of fat and protein. All foods provide calories, even though the caramel vanilla cream contains no significant fat content. The vanilla and caramel flavors add a tiny amount of fat and protein that account for the additional calories.
Calorie Composition
Here is a breakdown of where the 60 calories in an 8 ounce serving of Green Mountain caramel vanilla cream come from:
- Carbohydrates: 48 calories
- Fat: 4 calories
- Protein: 8 calories
As you can see, the vast majority of calories (80%) come from the carbohydrate content, which is exclusively added sugars. The fat and protein contribute minimal calories.
Ingredients
To understand where the calories in the caramel vanilla cream come from, let’s look at the ingredients:
- Water
- Sugar
- Non-dairy creamer (corn syrup solids, coconut oil, sodium caseinate)
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Caramel color
- Salt
- Carrageenan
The main source of calories is the sugar. Table sugar provides 4 calories per gram. The non-dairy creamer, which contains corn syrup solids and coconut oil, also contributes calories from carbohydrates and fat. The flavors provide a negligible amount of calories.
So in summary, the calories mainly come from the large amount of added sugar, along with small amounts of fat and carbohydrates from the non-dairy creamer.
Calorie Density
With 60 calories in 8 fluid ounces, Green Mountain caramel vanilla cream has a calorie density of 7.5 calories per ounce.
This is a moderate calorie density compared to other coffees:
| Coffee Drink | Calories per 8 oz |
|---|---|
| Black coffee | 2 |
| Coffee with 2 tablespoons half & half | 49 |
| Coffee with 2 tablespoons flavored creamer | 60 |
| Mocha latte | 130 |
| Caramel macchiato | 140 |
As you can see, black coffee has very few calories, while beverages made with cream, sugar, and flavorings have significantly more.
So Green Mountain caramel vanilla cream provides a moderately high amount of calories for a flavored coffee creamer. Keep this calorie density in mind for managing your daily caloric intake.
Nutrition Facts Panel
Here is the nutrition facts panel for Green Mountain caramel vanilla cream coffee:
This shows the calorie content, as well as more detailed information on the fat, carbohydrate, sugar, and protein content per serving.
As you can see, a single serving provides 12% of the daily value for carbohydrates and only 1% for fat based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Calorie Control Tips
If you are looking to control calories when using Green Mountain caramel vanilla cream, here are some tips:
- Use a smaller amount of creamer per cup of coffee to reduce the calories.
- Switch to a lower calorie creamer, like the French vanilla which has 20 calories per tablespoon.
- Use fat-free dairy milk instead of creamer to provide richness with minimal calories.
- Drink your coffee black or just lightly sweetened to enjoy the flavor with fewer calories.
- Be mindful of your serving size and stick to an 8 oz cup.
Making small tweaks like these can help enjoy your favorite flavored coffee while controlling your caloric intake.
Weight Loss Implications
When trying to lose weight, liquid calories like those in the caramel vanilla cream can add up quickly.
To get an idea, if you drank just one 8 ounce cup of this coffee creamer daily, that would add 420 extra calories per week. Over the course of a year, that equates to nearly 22,000 extra calories simply from your coffee!
So be mindful of calories from beverages if weight loss is your goal. Black coffee or unsweetened tea are your best low-calorie options.
If you do enjoy coffee creamer, here are some tips for reducing the impact on your waistline:
- Count the creamer calories into your daily calorie target.
- Stick to a small serving size, using a measuring spoon.
- Ask for your coffee “light” at coffee shops.
- Switch to milk or limit creamer to a couple times per week.
- Dilute creamer with water or extra coffee to make it go further.
With some creativity and portion control, you can still enjoy flavored coffee creamers as part of a weight loss diet. But be sure to account for the calories accurately.
Comparison to Milk
Many people add milk rather than creamer to their coffee. Here is a calorie comparison of using 2 tablespoons of Green Mountain caramel vanilla cream versus 2 tablespoons of 2% milk:
| Creamer | Calories | Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 tbsp caramel vanilla cream | 40 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 2 tbsp 2% milk | 20 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
As you can see, the flavored creamer contains about twice as many calories and carbs as the 2% milk. However, the milk provides a bit of protein and healthy fat, while the creamer is mostly empty calories from added sugar.
So if you’re looking to cut calories, switching from creamer to milk can be one effective strategy. But for the lowest calorie option, unsweetened plant milks like almond or oat milk are your best bet.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the calories in Green Mountain caramel vanilla cream:
Why does the creamer have so many calories if it has no fat?
The calories come almost entirely from the sugar content. Even though the creamer has no fat, carbohydrates from the added sugar provide 4 calories per gram.
Does the caramel flavor add more calories?
Not significantly. The caramel and vanilla flavors provide negligible calories, with most coming from the actual added sugar.
Is this a high calorie coffee creamer compared to others?
It’s moderately high in calories for a flavored creamer. Flavored creamers range from 20-120 calories per serving depending on the brand.
Can I use this creamer when trying to lose weight?
You can, but you’ll need to carefully account for the calories by measuring servings and counting it toward your daily calorie goal. Lower calorie options may be better for weight loss.
Is powder or liquid creamer lower in calories?
The powder and liquid forms contain about the same calories when prepared according to package directions. Be sure to check the nutrition labels to compare calories.
The Bottom Line
Green Mountain caramel vanilla cream coffee does contain calories, with 60 calories in every 8 ounce serving. These calories come predominantly from the sugar content.
When tracking your caloric intake or trying to lose weight, be sure to account for creamer calories just as you would for sugary coffee drinks like lattes. And opt for lower calorie options like milk or small servings of creamer to keep your coffee calories in check.
