Whipped cream is a popular topping for coffee drinks, desserts, and more. At Starbucks, whipped cream comes sweetened and ready to top your favorite beverages. But how many calories are actually in a cup of Starbucks whipped cream?
What is Whipped Cream?
Whipped cream is made by whipping cream to incorporate air bubbles, creating a light and fluffy texture. The fat content of the cream used determines whether the whipped cream is labeled as light, heavy, or extra heavy.
Starbucks uses a heavy whipping cream that contains 36% milk fat for its sweetened whipped cream topping. The high fat content is what gives Starbucks whipped cream its rich, indulgent taste and texture.
Nutrition Facts for Starbucks Whipped Cream
Here are the nutrition facts for a cup (60g) of Starbucks sweetened whipped heavy cream:
| Nutrition Facts | Starbucks Whipped Cream (1 cup) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 330 |
| Total Fat | 36g |
| Saturated Fat | 22g |
| Trans Fat | 1.5g |
| Cholesterol | 105mg |
| Sodium | 25mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 3g |
| Sugars | 3g |
| Protein | 0g |
As you can see, a cup of Starbucks whipped cream contains 330 calories. The vast majority of those calories come from fat, with 36g of total fat per serving.
Breaking Down the Nutrition
Let’s take a closer look at where those calories and nutrients are coming from:
Fat
With 36g of fat per serving, whipped cream is high in saturated fat and calories. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat to no more than 13g per day. Just a single cup of whipped cream exceeds this amount.
The high fat content is what gives whipped cream its rich, creamy taste and texture. All of that fat also means whipped cream packs a hefty calorie load.
Carbs and Sugar
There are 3g net carbs in a cup of Starbucks whipped cream. All of those carbohydrates come from naturally-occurring lactose (milk sugar) as well as added sugar.
The added sugar gives Starbucks whipped cream its sweet flavor. However, too much added sugar can negatively impact health. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to no more than 25g per day for women and 36g for men.
Protein
Starbucks whipped cream provides virtually no protein, with less than 1g per serving. Protein is important for building muscle mass and keeping you feeling full. Other food sources can provide protein to balance out a high-fat topping like whipped cream.
Micronutrients
Whipped cream contains minimal vitamins or minerals. There are small amounts of calcium and potassium, but not enough to provide major nutrition. Whipped cream is considered more of a treat than a nutritious food source.
How Many Calories in Different Portion Sizes?
Starbucks allows customers to customize whipped cream portions on their drinks. Here is how the calories break down for different serving sizes:
| Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 2 tablespoons (30g) | 165 |
| 1/4 cup (60g) | 330 |
| 1/2 cup (120g) | 660 |
| 3/4 cup (180g) | 990 |
| 1 cup (240g) | 1320 |
As you can see, the calories add up rapidly as the portion size of whipped cream increases. A dollop or two won’t significantly affect your daily calorie intake. But going overboard with whipped cream can cause calories to stack up.
Whipped Cream Calories in Starbucks Drinks
Looking at full Starbucks drink orders with whipped cream added can provide more context:
| Drink | Whipped Cream Portion | Total Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Tall Caffe Latte (12 oz) | 2 tablespoons | 150 |
| Grande Caffe Latte (16 oz) | 3 tablespoons | 190 |
| Venti Caffe Latte (20 oz) | 1/4 cup | 270 |
| Tall Caffe Mocha (12 oz) | 2 tablespoons | 270 |
| Grande Caffe Mocha (16 oz) | 3 tablespoons | 330 |
| Venti Caffe Mocha (20 oz) | 1/4 cup | 410 |
The whipped cream adds anywhere from 60-165 calories to these coffee drink orders, depending on cup size. While not enormously high in calories, the whipped cream does increase the fat and sugar content.
Ways to Lighten Up Your Whipped Cream
If you want to indulge in whipped cream but avoid overdoing calories and saturated fat, here are some tips:
– Ask for light whipped cream, which is made with lower-fat milk.
– Get nonfat milk or low-fat milk as the base for your coffee drink.
– Request just 1-2 tablespoons of whipped cream rather than a full portion.
– Top your drink with a dusting of cocoa powder rather than mounded whipped cream.
– Skip the whipped cream and ask for a drizzle of flavored syrup like caramel, mocha, or pumpkin spice.
– Order a skinny latte made with nonfat milk and sugar-free syrup instead of a full-fat mocha with whipped cream.
– Share a whipped cream topping with a friend rather than having your own.
Should You Avoid Whipped Cream Altogether?
Whipped cream is high in calories, fat, and sugar compared to other coffee drink add-ons like milk or flavored syrups. However, enjoying whipped cream in moderation can be part of an overall balanced diet.
Here are some things to consider about incorporating whipped cream:
– Budget for the extra calories and fat if adding whipped cream to your drink. You may need to cut back elsewhere to avoid overeating.
– Think of whipped cream as an occasional treat rather than an everyday add-on.
– Pay attention to portion sizes, as a dollop of whipped cream is far less than an overflowing mound.
– Be mindful of what you’re pairing whipped cream with. Adding it to an indulgent mocha drink may provide more fat and calories than you need.
– Consider your health status and dietary needs. People managing diabetes or heart health may need to avoid added sugars like whipped cream.
The Bottom Line
Starbucks whipped cream provides a decadent finishing touch to coffee drinks and desserts. But with 330 calories and 36g fat per cup, it also packs a hefty calorie load. Pay attention to portion sizes and enjoy whipped cream in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet. Savor each creamy, sweet bite – just don’t overdo it!
Conclusion
To summarize key points:
– A cup (60g) of Starbucks whipped cream contains approximately 330 calories and 36g of fat.
– The high fat and calorie content comes from the heavy whipping cream base, which is 36% milk fat.
– Added sugar gives the whipped cream its sweet flavor. There are 3g net carbs per serving.
– Protein and micronutrient content is minimal in whipped cream.
– Calories add up quickly in larger portion sizes. A dollop or two won’t hugely impact calorie intake.
– Whipped cream can increase the calorie count of coffee drinks by 60-165 calories depending on portion.
– Enjoy whipped cream in moderation as part of a balanced diet, or lighten it up by asking for less or nonfat milk options.
So be mindful of portions, but don’t feel like you need to avoid whipped cream altogether. Just pay attention to how it fits into your overall calorie and nutrition needs for the day.
