Coffee is a popular beverage consumed daily by millions of people around the world. With the addition of milk, it becomes a more wholesome and nutritious drink. However, many coffee drinkers wonder just how many calories are in their cup of coffee when milk is added.
The number of calories in a cup of coffee with milk depends on several factors:
- Type of coffee (Nescafe instant vs. brewed coffee)
- Amount of coffee used
- Type of milk (whole vs. skim)
- Amount of milk added
By taking these factors into account, we can estimate the calorie content in a cup of Nescafe coffee made with milk. In this article, we’ll break down the calories by looking at the different ingredients.
Calories in Nescafe Instant Coffee
Nescafe is a popular brand of instant coffee. Instant coffee contains less calories than regular brewed coffee as some of the oils from coffee beans are removed during processing.
Here are the calories for 1 teaspoon (5g) of Nescafe instant coffee powder:
- Nescafe Classic: 2 calories
- Nescafe Decaf: 2 calories
- Nescafe Taster’s Choice: 0-2 calories
As you can see, a single teaspoon of instant coffee powder contains minimal calories, ranging from 0-2 calories depending on variety.
Calories in a cup of black instant coffee
To make a standard 8 oz cup of instant black coffee, about 2 tablespoons (10g) of instant coffee powder is typically used.
Therefore, a full 8 oz cup of black Nescafe instant coffee would contain:
- Nescafe Classic: 10 calories
- Nescafe Decaf: 10 calories
- Nescafe Taster’s Choice: 0-10 calories
As black coffee only contains negligible calories from the instant coffee powder itself, a cup of black instant Nescafe coffee clocks in at 0-10 calories depending on variety.
Calories in Milk
When milk is added to coffee, this significantly increases the calorie content. The amount of calories depends on the type and amount of milk used.
Here are the calories for 1 cup (244g) of different types of milk:
- Whole milk: 146 calories
- 2% reduced fat milk: 122 calories
- 1% low fat milk: 102 calories
- Skim milk: 83 calories
- Non-dairy milk like almond or oat: 60-120 calories
As you can see, whole milk contains the most calories by far, while skim milk has the least amount of calories out of regular dairy milk. Non-dairy milks like almond or oat milk fall somewhere in between.
Calories in varying amounts of milk
When making coffee at home, most people don’t measure out an exact 1 cup of milk. Here are some common milk serving sizes and their calorie amounts:
| Milk Amount | Whole Milk Calories | 2% Milk Calories | Skim Milk Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 cup | 37 calories | 31 calories | 21 calories |
| 1/2 cup | 73 calories | 61 calories | 42 calories |
| 3/4 cup | 110 calories | 92 calories | 63 calories |
| 1 cup | 146 calories | 122 calories | 83 calories |
As shown in the table, the calories can range quite a bit based on the type and amount of milk added. Just a 1/4 cup of whole milk adds 37 calories while a 1/2 cup of skim milk only adds 42 calories.
Calories in a Cup of Nescafe Coffee with Milk
Now that we know the base calories in Nescafe instant coffee and the calories in varying amounts of milk, we can estimate the total calories when they are combined together.
Here are some examples of calorie totals for a cup of Nescafe coffee made with different types and amounts of milk:
| Nescafe Coffee | Milk Amount | Milk Type | Total Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 1/4 cup | Whole milk | 47 calories |
| 1 cup | 1/2 cup | 2% milk | 71 calories |
| 1 cup | 3/4 cup | Skim milk | 73 calories |
| 1 cup | 1 cup | Non-dairy milk | 110-120 calories |
As you can see, the total calories can range from as low as 47 calories for a cup of Nescafe with 1/4 cup of whole milk, to as high as 120 calories when made with 1 cup of non-dairy milk.
Low calorie options
If you are trying to limit calories, here are some tips for making a low calorie cup of Nescafe coffee with milk:
- Use skim or 1% milk
- Limit milk to 1/4 cup or less
- Consider using a lower calorie non-dairy milk like unsweetened almond or oat milk
- Avoid adding caloric sweeteners like sugar
Using these tips can help keep your coffee under 50 calories per cup while still allowing you to enjoy the flavor and creaminess of milk.
Other Factors Affecting Calorie Content
Aside from the base ingredients of instant coffee powder and milk, there are some other factors that can raise the calorie content of a cup of Nescafe coffee made with milk:
- Sugar: Adding just 1 teaspoon (4g) of white sugar adds 16 calories. Other sweeteners like honey, agave, or flavored syrups also increase calories.
- Coffee creamers: Nondairy creamers and coffee whitener can add 50-60 calories per tablespoon.
- Whipped cream: Light whipped cream adds about 30 calories per tablespoon. Regular whipped cream adds even more.
- Flavored mixes: Pre-made coffee mixes like mocha or French vanilla can add 60-80 calories from added sugars.
To keep your coffee lower in calories, avoid adding these extras and stick just to instant coffee, milk, and possibly a low calorie sweetener like stevia if needed.
Nutrition Facts Comparison
Here is a nutrition facts comparison between an 8oz cup of black brewed coffee versus Nescafe with milk, made with 1/4 cup of 2% milk:
Black Brewed Coffee (8 oz)
| Calories | 2 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0g |
| Carbs | 0g |
| Protein | 0g |
Nescafe with 1/4 Cup 2% Milk (8 oz)
| Calories | 31 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 1.5g |
| Carbs | 3g |
| Protein | 3g |
As you can see, adding just a small amount of 2% milk significantly increases the calorie, fat, carb, and protein content compared to black coffee.
Tips for Enjoying Low Calorie Nescafe Coffee with Milk
Here are some tips for keeping your cup of Nescafe coffee with milk lower in calories:
- Use skim or 1% milk
- Limit milk to 1/4 cup or less per cup of coffee
- Avoid adding sugar and creamers
- Opt for unsweetened non-dairy milk if preferred
- Choose calorie-free sweeteners like stevia if needed
- Measure milk and count calories to stay aware of intake
With some simple substitutions and measurements, you can still enjoy the creamy taste of milk in your Nescafe coffee while keeping calories low.
Conclusion
The calories in a cup of Nescafe made with milk can range quite a bit – from as low as 30-50 calories to over 120 calories, depending on the exact ingredients and amounts used.
On average, using 1/4 cup of 2% milk adds around 30 calories, taking an otherwise negligible calorie cup of black instant coffee up to 30-40 calories total.
Choosing lower fat dairy milk like skim, limiting the amount to 1/4 cup or less, and avoiding adding creamers or sugar will keep the calories down while still allowing you to achieve a creamy, delicious cup of Nescafe coffee with milk.
