Chick-fil-A’s lemonade is a popular drink option that many people enjoy with their meals. But if you’re watching your calorie intake, you may be wondering just how many calories are in a small Chick-fil-A lemonade.
The Calories in Chick-fil-A’s Lemonade
According to Chick-fil-A’s nutrition information, a small (12 oz) Chick-fil-A lemonade contains 140 calories. This is the calorie count for both their classic lemonade as well as their diet lemonade.
Here is a breakdown of the calorie count in Chick-fil-A’s lemonade sizes:
| Lemonade Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| Small (12 oz) | 140 |
| Medium (16 oz) | 180 |
| Large (20 oz) | 230 |
As you can see, the calorie count increases with each larger size. But even the small 12 oz lemonade contains 140 calories. This means that almost 15% of a 2000 calorie diet is coming from just the small lemonade!
Ingredients in Chick-fil-A Lemonade
What ingredients are providing those 140 calories in a small Chick-fil-A lemonade?
Here are the main ingredients:
- Sugar: Chick-fil-A’s classic lemonade is sweetened with a simple syrup made from sugar. The small size has 32g of sugar.
- Water: The lemonade base is made with water.
- Lemon juice: Real lemon juice is added for tartness and flavor.
- Natural flavors: Additional “natural flavors” are included.
- Dye: Red dye is added for color.
For the diet lemonade, the main difference is that it’s sweetened with Splenda rather than sugar. But the rest of the ingredients remain the same.
It’s the combination of sugar (or artificial sweetener), lemon juice, water, and other ingredients that contributes the 140 calories per small serving.
Sugar Content of Chick-fil-A Lemonade
One concerning ingredient in Chick-fil-A’s classic lemonade is the high amount of added sugar.
A small classic lemonade contains 32g of sugar. That’s nearly 8 teaspoons worth of sugar in just a 12oz serving!
To put that in perspective, the American Heart Association recommends no more than:
- 6 teaspoons (25g) of added sugar per day for women
- 9 teaspoons (36g) for men
So with 32g of sugar, a small Chick-fil-A lemonade exceeds the recommended daily limit for added sugars for women. And for men, it takes up nearly the whole recommended allowance.
Consuming too much added sugar can negatively impact health and waistlines. The excess sugar provides empty calories without any nutritional benefits. It’s also linked to increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver disease, and obesity when consumed in high amounts.
Given the high sugar content, many nutrition experts recommend going easy on the classic Chick-fil-A lemonade or avoiding it altogether if you’re watching your sugar intake.
Making a Healthier Lemonade
If you want to enjoy lemonade but are concerned about the sugar and calories in Chick-fil-A’s version, there are some healthier ways to make it at home.
Here are some tips for lightening up lemonade:
- Use less sugar or opt for a zero-calorie sweetener like stevia or erythritol.
- Add more water to dilute the sweetness.
- Use lemon juice concentrate rather than sugary lemonade mix.
- Garnish with mint or frozen fruit for flavor without added sugar.
- Add sparkling water instead of plain water for a fizzy, lower-calorie lemonade.
- Serve over ice to increase the volume without extra calories.
With some simple modifications, you can create a refreshing lemonade that comes in well under 140 calories per serving.
Other Chick-fil-A Drink Options
If you want to skip the lemonade due to the high calorie and sugar content, Chick-fil-A has some other lower calorie beverage options to consider:
- Iced Tea: Unsweetened iced tea has 0 calories. Sweet tea has 90 calories per small.
- Diet Lemonade: The small diet lemonade has just 10 calories.
- Water: You can request a free cup of ice water.
- Soft Drinks: Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite have 100 calories per small.
- Chocolate Milk: The small size has 150 calories.
- Chocolate Shake: A small chocolate shake is 330 calories.
Water, diet lemonade, and unsweetened tea are your lowest calorie options at Chick-fil-A. But even drinks like Coke or sweet tea have less sugar and calories than the classic lemonade.
Making Smart Choices at Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A’s lemonade may taste delicious, but it packs a high caloric punch in a small serving. Consuming these liquid calories can really add up over time.
Here are some tips for making smart choices when dining at Chick-fil-A:
- Opt for diet lemonade, unsweetened tea, or water.
- Split a meal or side item if portions are large.
- Be mindful of extras like sauces and dressings.
- Enjoy the grilled chicken sandwich or nuggets instead of fried.
- Choose a side salad instead of fries.
- Check out the nutrition info online and plan your order ahead of time.
Chick-fil-A does offer healthier options like salads, grilled chicken, and fruit cups. So you can certainly find menu items that fit into a balanced diet.
Being aware of calories in menu items like the lemonade can help you balance treats with healthier choices. Moderation and variety is key for enjoying fast food occasionally while maintaining nutrition goals.
Conclusion
A small Chick-fil-A lemonade packs a sweet punch with 140 calories and 32g of sugar. The classic version exceeds recommended daily limits for added sugar intake. While an occasional small lemonade won’t sabotage a healthy diet, it’s best to consume treats like this in moderation. Choosing lower-calorie beverages like water or diet lemonade can help cut calories. And being mindful of your total daily intake will help keep your diet balanced.
