A McDonald’s iced caramel coffee is a popular cold coffee drink made with espresso, milk, caramel syrup, and ice. It’s a tasty way to get your caffeine fix, especially on a hot day. But like most coffee drinks, it does contain a significant number of calories. So how many calories are actually in a McDonald’s iced caramel coffee? Let’s take a closer look.
Calories in a Small McDonald’s Iced Caramel Coffee
A small McDonald’s iced caramel coffee contains the following nutrition facts:
| Serving Size | 12 fl oz (354 ml) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 |
| Total Fat | 2.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 10mg |
| Sodium | 100mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 29g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 29g |
| Protein | 3g |
So a small McDonald’s iced caramel coffee contains 140 calories. The majority of those calories come from carbohydrates, specifically added sugars. There are 29g total carbohydrates, all of which are sugars.
The 2.5g of fat consists mainly of saturated fat. There is also a small amount of cholesterol and sodium. Overall, while the iced caramel coffee does contain some fat, it is primarily a high sugar, high calorie beverage.
Calories in a Medium McDonald’s Iced Caramel Coffee
If you upgrade to a medium sized McDonald’s iced caramel coffee, the nutrition facts are:
| Serving Size | 16 fl oz (473 ml) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 190 |
| Total Fat | 3g |
| Saturated Fat | 2.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
| Sodium | 125mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 39g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 39g |
| Protein | 4g |
A medium iced caramel coffee from McDonald’s contains 190 calories. That’s an increase of 50 calories compared to the small size.
Again, most of those calories come from carbohydrates/sugars. There are 39g total carbs and sugars in a medium. The amounts of fat, cholesterol, and sodium also go up slightly compared to the small size.
So by upgrading from a small to a medium iced caramel coffee, you add 50 more calories to your drink.
Calories in a Large McDonald’s Iced Caramel Coffee
Finally, let’s look at the nutrition information for a large McDonald’s iced caramel coffee:
| Serving Size | 21 fl oz (622 ml) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250 |
| Total Fat | 4g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 20mg |
| Sodium | 165mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 52g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 52g |
| Protein | 5g |
A large McDonald’s iced caramel coffee has 250 calories. That’s an increase of 60 calories compared to the medium size, and 110 more calories than a small.
As you might expect, carbohydrates and sugars also go up to 52g for a large. The amounts of fat, cholesterol and sodium increase as well.
So the more you size up your McDonald’s iced caramel coffee, the more calories it will contain.
Calories from Caramel Syrup
A major source of calories in a McDonald’s iced caramel coffee is the caramel syrup that’s added to the drink.
McDonald’s likely uses a commercial caramel coffee syrup to flavor their iced caramel coffees. Many coffee syrups contain about 100 calories per 1 fluid ounce (30ml).
Some common nutrition facts for caramel coffee syrup include:
| Serving Size | 1 fl oz (30ml) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 105 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 27g |
| Sugars | 27g |
As you can see, a typical caramel syrup contains 105 calories and 27g of sugar in just 1 ounce.
McDonald’s likely uses around 1-2 ounces of syrup in a small iced caramel coffee, 2-3 ounces in a medium, and 3-4 ounces in a large.
So the caramel syrup alone could contribute 100-400 calories to your drink, depending on the size. The majority of those calories come from added sugars.
Calories from Espresso
In addition to caramel syrup, McDonald’s iced caramel coffees also contain espresso. Each espresso shot typically provides about 5 calories.
A small McDonald’s iced coffee may contain 1 shot of espresso, while a medium contains 2 shots, and a large has 3 shots.
So the espresso itself adds:
– Small: 5 calories
– Medium: 10 calories
– Large: 15 calories
The calories from the espresso itself is fairly minimal compared to the caramel syrup and other ingredients. But it does contribute a few calories to each drink size.
Calories from Milk
Milk is also added to McDonald’s iced caramel coffee, along with ice.
The milk likely makes up around 4-8 ounces of each drink size. Nonfat milk contains around 10 calories per ounce, while 2% reduced fat milk has around 15 calories per ounce.
So the milk could contribute:
– Small: 40-80 calories
– Medium: 60-120 calories
– Large: 80-160 calories
The calories from milk can range quite a bit based on the exact amount and type of milk used. But it does make up a portion of the total calories in a McDonald’s iced caramel coffee.
Calories from Sugar and Other Ingredients
In addition to caramel syrup and milk, McDonald’s iced caramel coffee may contain added sugar or other flavorings.
Any liquid sugars added would contain around 115 calories per tablespoon (15ml). Other flavor extracts would have minimal calories.
The ice itself does not contain any calories.
So when all the ingredients are added up, here is an estimate of where the calories come from in each size McDonald’s iced caramel coffee:
| Ingredient | Small | Medium | Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caramel Syrup | 100-200 calories | 200-300 calories | 300-400 calories |
| Espresso | 5 calories | 10 calories | 15 calories |
| Milk | 40-80 calories | 60-120 calories | 80-160 calories |
| Other Sugars/Flavorings | 0-20 calories | 0-20 calories | 0-20 calories |
| Total Calories: | 140 calories | 190 calories | 250 calories |
As you can see, the high calorie caramel syrup is likely the main driver of calories in a McDonald’s iced caramel coffee. But the milk, espresso, and any added sugars also contribute to the total calorie count.
Nutrients in McDonald’s Iced Caramel Coffee
In addition to calories, here is how an iced caramel coffee from McDonald’s contributes other nutrients:
– Fat: Each size provides 2.5-4g of fat, which is mainly saturated fat from the milk. This represents 3-6% of the daily value.
– Carbohydrates: Carbs make up the majority of calories coming from added sugars in the syrup. A small has 29g carbs (10% DV), while a large has 52g (17% DV).
– Protein: You get 3-5g of protein in each size, or 6-10% DV. The protein comes primarily from the milk.
– Cholesterol: Ranges from 10-20mg or 3-7% DV. The milk contributes most of the cholesterol.
– Sodium: Varies from 100-165mg or 4-7% DV. Added from coffee syrups/flavorings.
– Vitamins/Minerals: Contains small amounts of calcium and vitamin D from milk, as well as trace minerals.
So while an iced caramel coffee does provide a few nutrients, you are getting minimal fiber or micronutrients. The main nutrients are calories from sugar and saturated fat from milk.
Ways to Make Your McDonald’s Iced Caramel Coffee Healthier
If you want to lighten up your McDonald’s iced caramel coffee, here are some tips:
– Order the smallest size available to reduce calories and sugar.
– Request less caramel syrup, or half the normal amount.
– Ask for skim or nonfat milk rather than 2% or whole milk.
– Skip the caramel syrup completely and order a plain iced coffee.
– Request sugar-free caramel syrup if available.
– Add a small amount of your own low-calorie sweetener.
– Ask for an extra shot of espresso to give more flavor with minimal calories.
– Order hot coffee and make it iced yourself to control what’s added.
Making some tweaks to your McDonald’s iced caramel coffee can help cut down on the calorie and sugar count. But no matter what, it will probably still be a high calorie beverage, so enjoy it as an occasional treat if you’re watching your diet!
Comparable Coffee Drink Options
Here is how a McDonald’s iced caramel coffee compares calorie-wise to some other popular coffee drinks:
| Beverage | Small Size Calories |
|---|---|
| McDonald’s Iced Caramel Coffee | 140 |
| Starbucks Bottled Iced Caramel Coffee | 190 |
| Dunkin’ Iced Caramel Latte | 230 |
| Panera Iced Caramel Latte | 290 |
| Caribou Coffee Iced Caramel Highlands | 130 |
| Cold Brew Iced Coffee | 10 |
| Black Iced Coffee | 5 |
As you can see, most flavored iced coffee drinks contain significant calories, especially if they include caramel syrup, milk, and added sugar. But plain black iced coffee or cold brew are very low calorie options in comparison.
So if weight loss is your goal, basic iced coffee with little or no sweetener is a better choice than a caramel version. But as an occasional treat, a McDonald’s iced caramel coffee can provide a sweet caffeine fix.
Should You Drink McDonald’s Iced Caramel Coffee for Weight Loss?
Can you drink McDonald’s iced caramel coffee if you are trying to lose weight? Here are some things to consider:
– It can fit into a weight loss diet in moderation, but should not be a daily habit due to the high calorie and sugar content. Enjoy it as an occasional treat.
– Stick to the smallest size or order it with modifications to reduce calories.
– Be mindful of your other beverage choices and food intake for the day if you plan to drink one. Cut calories elsewhere in your day to account for it.
– Drink plenty of water before and after to avoid excess calories from beverages.
– It does not provide protein, fiber or other nutrients to help with satiety and managing hunger.
– The caffeine may provide a slight boost to your metabolism, but not enough to make a significant difference in calorie burning.
– There are lower calorie options like black iced coffee or cold brew that are better choices if weight loss is your main goal.
Overall, an iced caramel coffee from McDonald’s now and then will not sabotage your weight loss efforts. But relying on it as your daily caffeine source may lead to excess calories and sugar that hinder your progress. Use it moderately alongside an otherwise healthy diet and active lifestyle for best results.
Conclusion
A McDonald’s iced caramel coffee contains around 140 calories in a small, 190 calories in a medium, and 250 calories in a large. The high amount of sugar from the caramel syrup is the primary source of calories, along with the milk and a small amount from espresso.
To lighten it up, order a smaller size, go easy on the syrup, choose nonfat milk, or add your own lower calorie sweetener. While an iced caramel coffee can fit into a weight loss diet in moderation, choosing plain iced coffee is a better option if calories are a concern.
Overall, enjoy your McDonald’s iced caramel coffee periodically as a sweet coffee treat, but be mindful of your total daily calorie intake if you want to lose weight or improve your health.
