Starbucks offers a variety of milk options for customers to customize their coffee drinks, including dairy milk, non-dairy milk alternatives like almond milk, and low-fat or nonfat milk options. Many customers opt for non-dairy milks like almond milk due to dietary restrictions, health reasons, or simply for the different flavors. When considering calorie content, customers often wonder if opting for almond milk over regular dairy milk reduces the calories in their Starbucks drink. The short answer is that almond milk does contain fewer calories than regular dairy milk at Starbucks. However, the calorie difference may not be as significant as some may think. In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the calorie counts of Starbucks almond milk versus 2% dairy milk to find out just how big the calorie difference is.
Calorie Comparison of Starbucks Almond Milk vs 2% Dairy Milk
Let’s start by looking at the nutrition facts for Starbucks’ almond milk and 2% dairy milk options:
Starbucks Almond Milk Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 8 fl oz (240 ml) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 60 |
| Total Fat | 2.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 125mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 7g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 7g |
| Protein | 1g |
Starbucks 2% Milk Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 8 fl oz (240 ml) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 100 |
| Total Fat | 4.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
| Sodium | 105mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 12g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 12g |
| Protein | 8g |
Looking at the nutrition labels side-by-side, we can see that Starbucks almond milk contains 60 calories per 8 oz serving, while the 2% dairy milk contains 100 calories per 8 oz serving. So on its own, the almond milk has about 40 fewer calories than the 2% milk.
Calories in Popular Starbucks Drinks with Almond Milk vs 2% Milk
While the almond milk itself is lower in calories than the dairy milk, how much of a calorie difference does it make when used in popular Starbucks drinks? To find out, let’s compare some Starbucks drink options made with almond milk versus 2% dairy milk.
Small (Tall) Caffè Latte
| Beverage | Milk Used | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Small (Tall) Caffè Latte | Almond milk | 100 |
| Small (Tall) Caffè Latte | 2% milk | 140 |
Using almond milk instead of 2% dairy milk reduces a Small Starbucks Caffè Latte by about 40 calories.
Small (Tall) Cappuccino
| Beverage | Milk Used | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Small (Tall) Cappuccino | Almond milk | 90 |
| Small (Tall) Cappuccino | 2% milk | 130 |
The calorie difference remains about 40 calories less for a Small Cappuccino made with almond milk compared to 2% dairy milk.
Small (Tall) Flat White
| Beverage | Milk Used | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Small (Tall) Flat White | Almond milk | 100 |
| Small (Tall) Flat White | 2% milk | 140 |
Once again, we see a calorie reduction of about 40 calories when opting for almond milk in a Small Flat White.
Small (Tall) Latte Macchiato
| Beverage | Milk Used | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Small (Tall) Latte Macchiato | Almond milk | 100 |
| Small (Tall) Latte Macchiato | 2% milk | 140 |
The Latte Macchiato sees the same 40 calorie difference.
Small (Tall) Caffè Mocha
| Beverage | Milk Used | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Small (Tall) Caffè Mocha | Almond milk | 160 |
| Small (Tall) Caffè Mocha | 2% milk | 200 |
Since the Caffè Mocha contains chocolate syrup, the calorie counts are a bit higher. But we still see a calorie reduction of about 40 calories when choosing almond milk instead of 2% dairy milk.
Calories in Medium and Large Starbucks Drinks with Almond Milk vs 2% Milk
Now let’s see how the calorie difference changes as we go up in drink sizes:
Medium (Grande) Drink Comparison
| Beverage | Milk Used | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (Grande) Latte | Almond milk | 120 |
| Medium (Grande) Latte | 2% milk | 180 |
| Medium (Grande) Cappuccino | Almond milk | 110 |
| Medium (Grande) Cappuccino | 2% milk | 170 |
| Medium (Grande) Flat White | Almond milk | 120 |
| Medium (Grande) Flat White | 2% milk | 180 |
In the Medium size drinks, using almond milk reduces calories by about 60 calories compared to using 2% dairy milk.
Large (Venti) Drink Comparison
| Beverage | Milk Used | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Large (Venti) Latte | Almond milk | 150 |
| Large (Venti) Latte | 2% milk | 250 |
| Large (Venti) Cappuccino | Almond milk | 140 |
| Large (Venti) Cappuccino | 2% milk | 240 |
| Large (Venti) Flat White | Almond milk | 150 |
| Large (Venti) Flat White | 2% milk | 250 |
When it comes to Starbucks’ Large size drinks, opting for almond milk instead of 2% dairy milk reduces calories by about 100 calories per drink.
Does Ordering Almond Milk Really Reduce Calories?
Based on Starbucks’ nutrition facts, choosing almond milk instead of 2% dairy milk does lower the calorie count in their coffee drinks. However, the amount of calorie reduction depends on the size of the drink:
- For Small (Tall) Starbucks drinks, almond milk reduces calories by about 40 calories compared to 2% milk.
- For Medium (Grande) Starbucks drinks, almond milk reduces calories by about 60 calories compared to 2% milk.
- For Large (Venti) Starbucks drinks, almond milk reduces calories by about 100 calories compared to 2% milk.
So while opting for almond milk will result in some calorie savings, the difference may not be enormous, especially for Small and Medium drinks. For example, 60 calories less in a Medium Latte made with almond milk versus 2% milk might not fit everyone’s definition of a “low calorie” drink.
Tips to Further Reduce Calories in Starbucks Drinks
If you’re really trying to watch your calorie intake with Starbucks drinks, here are some tips to reduce calories even more:
Size Down
Stick to the Small (Tall) size or opt for the Short size (8 oz) when available. The smaller the drink size, the fewer calories it will contain. A Short Cappuccino with almond milk, for example, contains only 70 calories.
Skip the Whipped Cream
Every pump of whipped cream adds around 50 calories. Skipping it is an easy way to remove 50+ calories from your drink.
Ask for Less Syrup
Flavored syrups like vanilla, caramel, and mocha are high in sugar and calories. Ask for half or a quarter of the usual pumps to cut back on calories.
Try Sugar-Free Syrups
If you like flavored drinks, opt for sugar-free syrups instead of the regular sugary versions to save calories. The Sugar-Free Cinnamon Dolce Syrup, for example, has 0 calories.
Order an Americano
An Americano is simply hot water added to espresso shots, so it contains minimal calories on its own. Adding a splash of almond milk keeps the calorie count low.
Avoid Blended Drinks
Frappuccinos, macchiatos, and other creamy blended drinks tend to be very high in calories. Stick to hot brewed coffee or tea beverages for the fewest calories.
The Bottom Line
Ordering almond milk instead of regular dairy milk in your Starbucks beverages can slightly reduce calories, with the amount of calorie savings depending on the size of the drink. While the reduction may not seem huge, every bit of calorie savings counts for those monitoring their intake. To maximize calorie savings, opt for almond milk in a smaller sized drink, avoid whipped cream and sugary syrups, or choose low-calorie options like Americanos. With some modifications, you can still enjoy Starbucks drinks while achieving your health and calorie goals.
