Starbucks is one of the most popular coffee chains in the world, known for their wide variety of coffee drinks, teas, and other beverages. One of the most popular customizations offered at Starbucks is whipped cream added to the top of cold and hot drinks. This creamy topping adds a decadent touch to any beverage. But with this indulgence comes extra calories that many customers may not realize they are consuming.
So how many calories are actually in the whipped cream topping that Starbucks provides? In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the nutrition information and calorie count for a grande (16 oz) serving of Starbucks whipped cream. We’ll also look at how the calories in whipped cream compare to other Starbucks menu items. Read on to learn more about the calories and nutrition facts for Starbucks whipped cream.
Calories in a Grande Starbucks Whipped Cream
According to Starbucks, a grande (16 fl oz) serving of their whipped cream contains 370 calories.
To put this in perspective, here is how the calories break down for a full grande serving of plain Starbucks whipped cream:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 370 |
| Total Fat | 39 g |
| Saturated Fat | 38 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 115 mg |
| Sodium | 65 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 3 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugars | 3 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
As you can see, the vast majority of the calories in Starbucks whipped cream come from fat, with 39 grams of total fat and 38 grams of saturated fat per serving. The whipped cream also contains 115 mg of cholesterol.
So while whipped cream may seem like an innocent topping, a full 16 oz serving delivers nearly 400 calories – most of them from unhealthy saturated fat.
How Many Calories in Different Starbucks Whipped Cream Portions
Starbucks allows customers to customize how much whipped cream they want added to their drinks. Here’s a breakdown of the calories for different serving sizes of Starbucks whipped cream:
| Whipped Cream Portion | Calories |
|---|---|
| Kids temperature whipped cream | 60 |
| Short whipped cream | 100 |
| Tall whipped cream | 150 |
| Grande whipped cream | 370 |
| Venti whipped cream | 500 |
As you go up in size, the calories increase significantly. A “kids temp” serving of just 1-2 tbsp contains 60 calories. A short serving with about 3-4 tbsp has 100 calories.
A tall serving (6-8 tbsp) comes in at 150 calories. The standard grande serving of 16 oz delivers 370 calories. And finally, the large venti serving contains a whopping 500 calories.
So if you’re trying to make a lighter drink choice, opt for light whipped cream or ask for just a splash. But beware that those “splash” toppings can still add 50-100 calories to your drink without you realizing it. Skipping the whipped cream altogether is the best way to avoid excess calories.
Whipped Cream Calories Compared to Other Starbucks Items
To put the 370 calories in a Starbucks grande whipped cream into context, here’s how it compares calorie-wise to some other popular Starbucks menu items:
| Starbucks Menu Item | Calories |
|---|---|
| Grande Caffè Latte | 190 |
| Grande Cappuccino | 140 |
| Grande Americano | 15 |
| Grande Cold Brew | 5 |
| Grande Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew | 200 |
| Grande Caramel Frappuccino | 300 |
| Chocolate Chip Cookie | 190 |
| Spinach, Feta & Cage-Free Egg White Breakfast Wrap | 290 |
| Bacon, Gouda & Egg Breakfast Sandwich | 450 |
| Grande Whipped Cream | 370 |
As you can see, the 370 calories in a grande whipped cream alone is more than a latte, cappuccino, or cold brew black coffee from Starbucks. It’s also more calories than some of Starbucks’ food items like a chocolate chip cookie or breakfast wrap.
The whipped cream has nearly as many calories as an entire Caramel Frappuccino! So while it may seem like just a small topping, keep in mind that grande whipped cream actually packs a significant calorie punch.
Tips for Ordering Lower Calorie Starbucks Drinks
If you love Starbucks but want to keep your drinks a bit lighter, here are some tips for ordering lower calorie options:
– Go for plain coffee or tea drinks without added syrups or sauce
– Ask for sugar-free syrups instead of regular syrups
– Order nonfat or lowfat milk instead of whole milk
– Skip the whipped cream entirely or ask for a light sprinkling
– Choose a smaller size like tall or short rather than venti or grande
– Request less pumps of syrup, sauce or base
– Substitute water or unsweetened tea for Frappuccino base
– Try cold brew or Americano instead of lattes for fewer calories
– Opt for sugar-free syrups and nondairy milks like almond or coconut milk
With a few small customizations and smarter choices, you can enjoy your favorite Starbucks drinks while avoiding hundreds of extra calories from whipped cream, syrups, and heavy milk. Be sure to check the Starbucks app or online nutrition info to find lower calorie options.
Are There Any Health Benefits to Whipped Cream?
Given the high amount of calories and saturated fat, Starbucks whipped cream does not provide much in the way of nutritional value. However, there are a few ingredients in their whipped cream that do offer some potential benefits:
Milk – Starbucks whips their cream using 2% reduced fat milk. Milk provides protein, calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients. But the amount of milk in a serving of whipped cream is negligible.
Heavy Cream – The whipped topping is made with heavy whipping cream, which has a high fat content. Heavy cream provides calories and some nominal amounts of vitamins A and D. But the saturated fat negates most of the potential benefits.
Vanilla Syrup – For flavoring, Starbucks whips their cream with a hint of vanilla syrup. This provides a touch of antioxidants from the vanilla bean extract. But the overall impact is minimal due to the tiny amounts used.
Carrageenan – This ingredient is used as a thickening agent to give the whipped cream more stability. Carrageenan is derived from red seaweed and may have some anti-inflammatory effects. However, there is still debate over its health impact.
Overall, while a few ingredients like milk, cream and vanilla offer traces of nutrients, the whipped cream’s high calorie and saturated fat content outweigh any potential benefits. The carrageenan thickener may provide some stability as a topping, but has negligible health effects.
Health Risks of Too Much Whipped Cream
There are some potential downsides to consuming large amounts of whipped cream on a regular basis:
– Weight gain – The high calorie and fat content can lead to excess calorie intake and weight gain over time, if consumed frequently.
– High cholesterol – Too much saturated fat from the heavy cream may raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
– High blood pressure – Excess sodium intake from whipped cream can potentially contribute to high blood pressure.
– Blood sugar spikes – The lactose sugar in the cream can cause rapid blood sugar rises. This is a particular concern for diabetics and prediabetics.
– Gastrointestinal issues – Some people may experience bloating, gas or diarrhea from the high fat content. Those with lactose intolerance can have digestive problems from the milk ingredients.
– Increased cancer risk – Some studies link high intakes of saturated fat to elevated risks of certain cancers, including prostate and breast cancer. More research is still needed on this association.
Moderation is key when consuming any high-fat food like whipped cream. But for most healthy adults, enjoying whipped cream at Starbucks infrequently and in small amounts is unlikely to carry major health risks. Those with medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity may want to exercise particular caution or avoid whipped cream altogether when visiting Starbucks.
Ways to Lighten Up Your Starbucks Whipped Cream
If you want to indulge in whipped cream at Starbucks but make it a bit lighter, here are some tips:
– Ask for it kid’s temperature or less. The smaller portion size reduces calories.
– Request sugar-free or light whipped cream. This cuts some calories.
– Opt for nonfat milk instead of heavy cream as the base. This significantly drops the calories and fat.
– Ask for whipped cream alternative like sweetened vanilla cold foam. This has a lighter consistency and fewer calories than regular whipped cream.
– Top your drink yourself and use a light hand. This prevents overserving.
– Share one serving of whipped cream between two drinks. This cuts the calories in half per beverage.
– Substitute a dusting of cocoa powder or cinnamon instead. These add flavor with minimal calories.
– Go for a pump of flavoring like vanilla, hazelnut or peppermint syrup rather than whipped cream.
With a few tweaks and creative swaps, you can still enjoy the flavor of whipped cream on your Starbucks drink without overdoing the calories and saturated fat that come with the standard version.
Making Your Own Lower Calorie Whipped Cream
To enjoy whipped cream at home with a better nutrition profile, you can easily make your own:
– Use heavy whipping cream that contains 35-40% milk fat. Heavy cream whips up thicker than lower fat versions.
– Chill the cream well before whipping, ideally overnight. Proper chilling helps the whipped cream hold its shape.
– Whip the chilled cream on high speed until soft peaks form. Take care not to overbeat.
– To lighten it up, use half heavy cream and half milk. This cuts some of the fat and calories.
– For a lighter option, make whipped coconut cream using the solid cream scooped from refrigerated cans of coconut milk.
– Sweeten with vanilla, honey, or powdered sugar. Granulated sugar makes whipped cream weep liquid.
– Flavor it with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom or extracts like almond, lemon or orange.
Homemade whipped cream lets you control the ingredients and calorie content. And you can still get that light, fluffy whipped texture with some simple tweaks.
Recipe for Lower Calorie Homemade Whipped Cream
This easy recipe produces light, fluffy whipped cream with far fewer calories than the Starbucks version:
Ingredients:
– 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
– 1/2 cup cold nonfat milk
– 1 tsp vanilla extract
– 1 tbsp powdered sugar
Instructions:
1. Combine the heavy cream and nonfat milk in a large chilled mixing bowl.
2. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the mixture on high speed for 2-3 minutes until soft peaks form.
3. Add the vanilla extract and powdered sugar and beat briefly just until incorporated. Do not overmix.
4. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to use. Lightly re-whip before using if chilled more than 2 hours.
This lower fat whipped cream has just over 200 calories per cup, versus 370 calories in a grande Starbucks whipped cream. So you can indulge your sweet tooth with a lighter option you make at home.
Is Dairy-Free Whipped Cream an Option at Starbucks?
Unfortunately, Starbucks currently does not offer any dairy-free or vegan whipped cream options for customers. Their standard whipped cream is made with heavy dairy cream as the base.
Some alternatives if you wish to avoid dairy-based whipped cream at Starbucks include:
– Asking for your drink with no whipped cream
– Requesting dairy-free milk alternatives like soy, almond, oat or coconut milk
– Ordering a plant-based coffee drink containing no milk
– Topping your beverage with caramel or mocha drizzle instead of whipped cream
– Getting a dusting of cocoa powder or cinnamon on top
– Opting for Cold Brew Whipped Cream Foam, which is plant-based and contains no heavy cream
The lack of vegan whipped cream options is disappointing for many plant-based customers. With demand for dairy-free choices growing, hopefully Starbucks will begin offering a true vegan whipped cream alternative nationwide in the future.
Does Starbucks Whipped Cream Contain Nuts?
Starbucks whipped cream is nut-free, so it is safe for those with tree nut and peanut allergies. The ingredients contain no nuts at all.
According to Starbucks, their whipped cream consists only of:
– Heavy cream
– Vanilla syrup
– 2% reduced fat milk
– Light heavy whipping cream
Some key things to note:
– The vanilla syrup contains no nuts, only sugar and natural vanilla flavor
– The milk and cream used contain only dairy ingredients
– None of the equipment used in stores have contact with nuts
– Whipped cream preparation areas are thoroughly cleaned between different ingredient use
So you can rest assured that Starbucks’ whipped cream does not contain any type of nuts. Customers with nut allergies should feel safe consuming it.
Of course, those with dairy allergies need to avoid the whipped cream, since milk and cream are used in its production. Alternatives like soy or almond milk whipped topping would be recommended for non-dairy drink customizations.
But overall, Starbucks’ standard whipped cream is completely nut-free and safe for those with nut and peanut restrictions or sensitivities. Customers with nut allergies do not need to worry when ordering drinks topped with Starbucks whipped cream.
Conclusion
While Starbucks’ fluffy whipped cream may seem like an innocent treat, a 16 oz grande serving delivers a hefty 370 calories and 38 grams of saturated fat. The calories add up quickly if you regularly indulge in whipped cream topping on your drinks.
To keep your Starbucks order a bit healthier, opt for alternative milk options, smaller sizes, and no or minimal whipped cream. An occasional kid’s temp or short size is a more modest treat. But skipping whipped cream altogether or making your own lighter version at home are the best options if you are counting calories.
Overall, whipped cream from Starbucks or anywhere should be thought of as an occasional indulgence rather than an everyday treat. But with some adjustments and more mindful ordering, you can still enjoy your favorite coffee drinks while maintaining balanced nutrition and avoiding whipped cream overload.
