How many calories does a cup of chamomile tea have?

Chamomile tea is a popular herbal tea made from the chamomile flower. It has a light, delicate flavor and aroma, and is known for its calming properties. Many people enjoy drinking chamomile tea, especially in the evenings as part of their bedtime routine. But if you’re watching your calorie intake, you may be wondering just how many calories are in a cup of chamomile tea.

In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the calories and nutritional information in chamomile tea. We’ll cover factors that can affect the calorie content, like preparation method and additions. We’ll also provide some tips for enjoying chamomile tea as part of a healthy diet. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the calories in chamomile tea.

Calories in Plain Chamomile Tea

Let’s start by looking at plain chamomile tea prepared with just hot water and chamomile flowers or tea bags. On its own, unsweetened chamomile tea is very low in calories.

Calories in a Cup of Brewed Chamomile Tea

A standard 8 ounce (237 ml) cup of brewed chamomile tea contains:

  • 2.4 calories

So a plain cup of chamomile tea without any sweeteners or additions contains minimal calories. This makes it an excellent low calorie beverage option as part of a weight loss diet or for anyone looking to reduce their calorie intake.

Calories from Macronutrients

The 2.4 calories in a cup of plain chamomile tea come entirely from trace amounts of carbohydrates:

  • 0.6 grams carbohydrates

Chamomile tea does not naturally contain any protein, fat, fiber, vitamins or minerals in significant amounts. So the only source of calories comes from a tiny amount of carbohydrate.

This carb content is quite negligible, providing less than 1% of the daily value for carbs. Plain chamomile tea is essentially a zero calorie beverage when consumed on its own.

Calories in Other Portion Sizes

The calorie content scales up or down depending on how much chamomile tea you drink:

  • 12 oz cup: 3.2 calories
  • 16 oz mug: 4.3 calories
  • 20 oz serving: 5.4 calories

As you can see, even drinking a large 20 ounce serving of plain chamomile tea only gives you 5 calories. So feel free to enjoy a mug of hot chamomile tea guilt-free!

Factors that Affect Calories

While plain chamomile tea is very low in calories, various factors can increase the calorie content:

Sweeteners

The main factor that will add calories to chamomile tea is adding a sweetener like sugar, honey or agave. Here’s how the calorie count increases with different sweeteners:

  • 1 teaspoon white sugar: 16 calories
  • 1 teaspoon honey: 21 calories
  • 1 teaspoon agave: 20 calories

A little sweetener goes a long way in tea, so even adding a small amount significantly increases the calorie content. To keep your chamomile tea low cal, avoid sweeteners or use just a tiny amount.

Milk or Cream

Some people like to add a splash of milk or cream to mellow out the flavor of chamomile tea. But this comes at a high calorie cost:

  • 1 tablespoon whole milk: 9 calories
  • 1 tablespoon half and half: 20 calories
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream: 51 calories

Substituting non-dairy milk can help minimize the calorie impact. For example, 1 tablespoon of unsweetened almond milk only has about 3 calories.

Chamomile Tea Bags

Look out for added ingredients like flavors and sweeteners in some commercial chamomile tea bags:

  • Flavored tea bags: 5-10 calories per bag
  • Sweetened tea bags: 15-30 calories per bag

To keep calories down, brew plain unflavored chamomile tea bags without any added sugars or sweeteners. Check the ingredients list on the box to be sure.

Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea

Beyond being low in calories, chamomile tea offers a range of other potential health benefits:

  • Relieves anxiety and promotes relaxation
  • Soothes upset stomach
  • May improve sleep quality
  • Anti-inflammatory properties
  • Antioxidant effects

So chamomile tea is the perfect beverage when you’re looking to relax, unwind and reap some potential medicinal benefits too. Just be mindful of how much sweetener you add to avoid unnecessary calories.

Tips for Enjoying Chamomile Tea

Here are some simple tips for making delicious low calorie chamomile tea:

  • Brew with hot (not boiling) water to preserve delicate flavor
  • Try different varieties of chamomile tea like German or Egyptian
  • Sweeten sparingly with a touch of honey, if desired
  • Add fresh herbs like mint or lemon for flavor
  • Mix with green or black tea for a flavor combo
  • Chill and pour over ice for refreshing iced tea

Chamomile also combines deliciously with flavors like vanilla, ginger or fruit essences. Feel free to get creative with your own chamomile tea blends while keeping calories low.

Chamomile Tea Calories on a Diet

Here’s how chamomile tea can fit into different diet plans:

Weight Loss Diets

Chamomile tea is diet-friendly since it’s low in calories and carbs. Drink it freely to stay hydrated without worrying about calorie intake.

Ketogenic Diet

On a very low carb keto diet, chamomile tea is a great choice since it contains under 1 gram of carbs per cup.

Diabetes Diet

With minimal carbs and sugar, unsweetened chamomile tea is suitable for a diabetic diet. Avoid sweetened tea bags.

Low FODMAP Diet

The ingredients in chamomile tea do not contain FODMAPs, making it safe for a low FODMAP diet.

So chamomile tea can be incorporated into a wide variety of diets due to its low calorie and carbohydrate profile. Just adjust sweeteners accordingly.

Chamomile Tea vs. Other Beverages

How does chamomile tea compare to other popular beverages in terms of calories?

Beverage Calories (8 oz)
Chamomile tea 2.4
Green tea 2
Black tea 2
Coffee 2
Cola 100
Orange juice 112
Apple juice 114
Milk 103

As you can see, plain unsweetened chamomile tea is very low in calories compared to fruit juices, soda and milk. It also contains minimal calories compared to other true teas like green and black tea.

So if you’re looking for a satisfying lower calorie drink, chamomile tea is an excellent choice.

Chamomile Tea Calories in Recipes

In addition to enjoying it on its own, chamomile tea can be incorporated into a variety of recipes like:

Chamomile Popsicles

Blend chamomile tea with fruit juice and yogurt for homemade popsicles. Each popsicle will have around 50 calories depending on ingredients.

Chamomile Tea Cake

Brew strong chilled chamomile tea to use instead of water in cake recipes. Each slice will have around 100-150 calories.

Iced Chamomile Tea Latte

Mix cold brewed chamomile tea with a splash of milk and maple syrup over ice for a soothing latte. Calories will be about 50-75 per 8 oz serving.

Chamomile Tea Granita

Sweeten and freeze chamomile tea into a floral granita dessert. A 1/2 cup serving contains approximately 65 calories.

As you can see, chamomile tea can add delicious flavor with minimal calories to all kinds of recipes beyond just a hot cup of tea.

Does Chamomile Tea Have Caffeine?

No, chamomile tea is naturally caffeine-free. It’s made from chamomile flowers rather than tea leaves.

Some herbal tea blends may contain other sources of caffeine like green tea or yerba mate. But pure chamomile tea will not have any caffeine content.

The lack of caffeine is one reason chamomile tea is often consumed in the evening to promote relaxation and sleep. People who are sensitive to caffeine can enjoy chamomile tea without issues.

Chamomile Tea Nutrition Facts

Here is the full nutrition breakdown for a cup (8oz) of plain chamomile tea prepared with hot water:

Nutrient Amount DV%
Calories 2.4 0%
Carbohydrates 0.6g 0%
Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 0g 0%
Fat 0g 0%
Vitamin C 0% 0%
Iron 0% 0%
Potassium 0% 0%

As you can see from the nutrition label, plain chamomile tea is very low in calories, carbs, sugars, fat and protein. It also does not contain any significant amounts of vitamins or minerals.

The minimal 2.4 calories come solely from trace carbs. So chamomile tea on its own is more of a hydrating, aromatic beverage rather than a major source of nutrition.

FAQs

Let’s summarize some common questions about the calorie content of chamomile tea:

How many calories are in chamomile tea with honey?

Adding 1 teaspoon of honey to chamomile tea adds about 21 calories, bringing the total to around 23 calories per 8oz cup.

Is chamomile tea Keto friendly?

Yes, with under 1 gram of carbs from its trace carb content, plain unsweetened chamomile tea can fit into a ketogenic diet. Avoid sweetened variations.

Does chamomile tea break a fast?

Plain chamomile tea has such minimal calorie and carb content that it likely does not break a fast. But sweetened chamomile tea may break a fast depending on the specific diet.

Is chamomile tea acidic?

Chamomile tea has a pH around 6.7, making it mildly acidic. But it’s not as acidic as coffee or fruit juices.

Does chamomile tea make you poop?

Chamomile tea has mild laxative effects and may help with constipation relief due to compounds called apigenin glycosides. Drinking it can promote more regular bowel movements.

The Bottom Line

An 8 ounce cup of plain chamomile tea only contains about 2.4 calories, coming solely from trace amounts of carbohydrates. Sweeteners like honey or added milk and cream significantly increase the calorie count. But unsweetened chamomile is an ultra low calorie beverage. It provides a tasty way to stay hydrated without worrying about calories or carbs when following various diets. So brew up a hot cup of soothing chamomile tea and drink to your health!

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