Dunkin’ Donuts is one of the most popular coffee and donut chains in the United States. Their iced coffee is a top selling menu item, especially during the hot summer months. But many health-conscious customers wonder just how many calories are in an iced coffee, especially when adding cream or milk. In this comprehensive guide, we will analyze the calorie and nutrient content of a medium Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee with cream added.
Calories in a Medium Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee with Cream
According to Dunkin’ Donuts nutritional information, a medium iced coffee with cream contains the following calories and nutrients:
| Size | Calories | Total Fat | Saturated Fat | Trans Fat | Cholesterol | Sodium | Total Carbs | Dietary Fiber | Sugars | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium (16 fl oz) | 140 | 4.5g | 3g | 0g | 15mg | 100mg | 23g | 0g | 22g | 2g |
So a medium Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee with cream has 140 calories. The calories mainly come from fat and carbohydrates. The cream adds nearly 5g of fat, 3g of which is saturated fat. The coffee itself contains 23g of carbs, all from sugar. There is also a small amount of protein from the milk.
This calorie count is for Dunkin’s classic iced coffee blend with a splash of cream added. The calories can vary slightly depending on the exact amount of cream added by the barista. Different coffee blends or flavors may also contain slightly more or less calories.
Calorie and Fat Content of Cream
The extra calories and fat in the iced coffee with cream comes from the cream itself.
According to the USDA, one tablespoon of fluid cream (also called light cream) contains:
| Nutrient | Per 1 Tablespoon |
|---|---|
| Calories | 20 |
| Total Fat | 2g |
| Saturated Fat | 1.3g |
So each tablespoon of fluid cream adds 20 calories and 2g of fat. Dunkin likely adds around 2-3 tablespoons of cream to a medium iced coffee, contributing 40-60 additional calories and 4-6g of fat.
Heavy cream contains even more fat and calories. There are 50 calories and 5g of fat in one tablespoon of heavy cream. Dunkin’ uses fluid cream as their standard, but some customers may request heavy cream instead.
Calories in Regular Dunkin Iced Coffee Without Cream
To understand how much the cream impacts the total calorie count, let’s compare to a medium iced coffee without any cream added.
According to Dunkin, a medium brewed iced coffee with no milk or cream has:
| Size | Calories | Total Fat | Total Carbs | Sugars | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medium (16 fl oz) | 10 | 0g | 2g | 2g | 1g |
As you can see, without any cream added, there are only 10 calories in a medium black iced coffee. It contains minimal fat, carbs, and protein without the addition of cream.
This means the cream is adding a significant number of calories and over 4.5g of fat. The cream transforms the iced coffee into a higher calorie beverage.
Does Added Sugar Change the Calories?
What about adding sugar to your iced coffee? Will that increase the calorie count?
The standard Dunkin’ Donuts iced coffee already contains plenty of natural sugar. Dunkin’ says their classic brewed coffee has 2g of sugar per medium size.
If you add regular white granulated sugar, that will add more calories. There are 16 calories in one level teaspoon of white sugar.
Adding a splash of flavored syrup like caramel, hazelnut, or vanilla will also tack on extra calories and sugar. For example:
| Dunkin’ Syrup | Calories per 1.5 fl oz | Sugars |
|---|---|---|
| Caramel Swirl | 120 | 29g |
| French Vanilla | 100 | 24g |
| Hazelnut | 110 | 26g |
As you can see, the flavored syrups contain 100-120 additional calories and 24-29g of sugar per serving. A splash of these can significantly increase the calorie and sugar content of your iced coffee.
Calorie Difference Between Hot and Iced Coffee
Dunkin’ Donuts offers the same coffee brews available both hot and iced. Is there any calorie difference between ordering it hot versus over ice?
According to Dunkin’, the calorie count is nearly identical for a small, medium, or large hot coffee compared to a small, medium or large iced version.
For example, here is the nutrition info for a medium hot coffee versus a medium iced coffee:
| Medium Hot | Medium Iced | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 5 | 10 |
| Total Fat | 0g | 0g |
| Carbs | 1g | 2g |
| Protein | 0g | 1g |
As you can see, at least black, the hot and iced coffee have identical fat and carbohydrate content. The iced has slightly more calories and protein due to the ice cubes diluting it less than hot water. But the difference is negligible.
Adding cream or milk will have the same impact on both hot and iced coffee in terms of calories and nutrients. So opting for ice won’t significantly change the nutrition.
Tips for Ordering Lower Calorie Iced Coffee
If you want to keep your iced coffee order as low calorie as possible, here are some tips:
– Order a small or medium size. The large clocks in at 180 calories with cream added.
– Stick to black coffee or ask for just a splash of cream or milk. About 2 tablespoons or less will keep the calorie count down.
– Skip the flavored syrups and added sugar which can tack on 100+ calories from sugar alone.
– Request skim milk rather than cream. Skim has about 20 less calories per tablespoon than cream.
– For the lowest calorie option, request your coffee unsweetened over ice. This gives you the caffeine boost without the extra calories.
Health Benefits of Iced Coffee
Coffee, including iced coffee, has several evidence-based health benefits when consumed in moderation. Some of the top benefits include:
– Boosted energy and alertness from caffeine
– Antioxidants that may help protect cells from damage
– Lower risk of diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, and certain cancers
– Improved memory, mood, and cognitive function
– Increased metabolism and fat burning
The antioxidants in coffee, such as chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid, have anti-inflammatory properties that may protect the body from chronic diseases.
Studies show the polyphenol antioxidants in coffee decrease inflammation in the body and have beneficial effects on blood sugar, insulin, and cholesterol levels. Coffee may also support gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
Aim to keep your iced coffee intake reasonable at 1-2 servings daily to get these benefits without going overboard on caffeine or calories.
Downsides of Too Much Iced Coffee
While regular coffee consumption can have health perks, drinking too much may cause some unwanted effects. Here are some potential downsides of overdoing the iced coffee:
– Insomnia, jitters, anxiousness from excess caffeine
– Heartburn, stomach upset in those sensitive to coffee
– Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
– Headaches, migraines triggered by coffee compounds
– Withdrawal symptoms if you stop suddenly
– Dehydration from the diuretic effects of caffeine
– Diminishing returns as your tolerance increases
To prevent these negative consequences, keep your coffee intake to 400mg of caffeine or less per day, which is about 2-3 typical cups. Drink more water to stay hydrated and avoid coffee close to bedtime.
Healthier Alternatives to Iced Coffee
For those looking to limit caffeine or calories, here are some healthier alternatives that provide a similar iced coffee taste and boost of energy:
– Iced tea or iced green tea
– Cold brew coffee (70% less acidity than hot brewed)
– Decaf iced coffee
– Coffee substitutes like chicory or dandelion root
– Iced lattes made with low fat milk and zero calorie sweetener
– Unsweetened sparkling water with a splash of milk
– Protein shakes with coffee flavoring
– DIY iced coffee using light cream and stevia drops
Choose an unsweetened variety and avoid adding cream for the healthiest options.
Conclusion
A medium Dunkin Donuts iced coffee with cream contains about 140 calories, mostly from the cream added. Going with black iced coffee slashes the calories to just 10 for a 16oz medium. Limiting cream to 2 tablespoons or less and skipping flavored syrups keeps the calorie count reasonable while allowing you to enjoy this refreshing and energizing drink. Just be mindful of your total daily caffeine intake and opt for healthier low cal versions when you can to reap the many benefits of iced coffee without the downsides of overindulging.
