Whipped coffee, also known as dalgona coffee, is a creamy coffee drink that has become wildly popular on social media in recent years. It’s made by whisking instant coffee, sugar, and hot water until it becomes light, fluffy, and mousse-like in texture. Then it’s spooned over chilled milk and ice for an Instagram-worthy coffee treat.
But is this photogenic coffee drink actually fattening? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients and nutritional information.
Ingredients in Whipped Coffee
Whipped coffee contains just three main ingredients:
- Instant coffee powder
- Sugar
- Hot water
Some recipes also include a small amount of cocoa powder or vanilla extract, but the main three ingredients are instant coffee, sugar, and water.
The issue when it comes to fat and calories lies in the sugar content. To make the whipped coffee light and fluffy, most recipes call for 2 tablespoons of sugar for every 1-2 tablespoons of instant coffee. That’s a lot of added sugar!
Let’s compare the calories and fat in a basic whipped coffee recipe to a regular cup of brewed coffee.
Nutrition Facts
| Beverage | Calories | Fat |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Whipped Coffee (with 2 Tbsp sugar) | 121 calories | 0g fat |
| Regular Brewed Coffee (with 2 Tbsp creamer) | 35 calories | 2g fat |
As you can see, the whipped coffee contains significantly more calories due to the added sugar. However, it doesn’t contain any actual fat, while the brewed coffee does have a small amount of fat from the creamer.
So in terms of fat content, whipped coffee is not high at all. But the extra calories from sugar still need to be considered.
Sugar Content of Whipped Coffee
To whip the coffee properly, most recipes call for a 1:1 ratio of sugar to instant coffee. This means that for every 1 tablespoon of instant coffee, you need 1 tablespoon of sugar.
So a serving of whipped coffee made with 2 tablespoons of instant coffee will have about:
- 2 tablespoons of sugar = 25g of sugar
- 100 calories from sugar alone
To put this in perspective, the American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar intake to no more than 25g per day for women and 36g per day for men.
Just one serving of whipped coffee contains nearly your entire daily allowance of added sugar!
Of course, you can still enjoy this drink in moderation. But it’s best to be mindful of portion sizes. You may also want to experiment with cutting the sugar amount in half, or using a zero-calorie sweetener instead.
Whipped Coffee Variations
There are a few easy variations you can make to lighten up a whipped coffee drink:
Use Less Sugar
Cutting the amount of sugar to 1 tablespoon will save you 50 calories and 12g of sugar. The drink may not whip up quite as fluffy, but it will still have a nice sweet flavor.
Try a Natural Sweetener
Swap white sugar for a natural sweetener like monk fruit or stevia to slash calories and carbs. These zero-calorie sweeteners provide sweetness without any added fat.
Boost Nutrition with Cocoa
Add a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder. This will give you antioxidants and fiber without contributing any fat or added sugar.
Top with Skim Milk
Using skim or low-fat milk instead of whole milk will trim calories and fat. Or opt for light coconut milk beverages. You’ll get the creamy topping without all the excess calories.
Go Skinny with Sugar Free Sweetener and Skim Milk
Creating a “skinny” whipped coffee with zero-calorie sweetener and skim milk slashes calories down to under 25 calories for the whole drink. Plus it still tastes decadent.
Is Whipped Coffee Keto-Friendly?
The keto diet focuses on low carb eating, but cuts out added sugar almost entirely. So is whipped coffee keto approved?
Unfortunately, most whipped coffee recipes are NOT keto friendly as is due to the high sugar content. But there are a few easy tweaks you can make to turn whipped coffee into a keto beverage:
- Use sugar free sweeteners instead of sugar
- Choose full fat milk or cream instead of skim
- Top with unsweetened whipped cream
- Sprinkle with cinnamon instead of sugar
By omitting sugar and adding healthy fats from dairy, whipped coffee can definitely be modified to fit into a ketogenic eating plan.
Healthier Whipped Coffee Recipes
Want all the frothy flavor of whipped coffee without the sugar overload? Here are some healthier recipes to try:
Skinny Whipped Coffee
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee
- 1 tablespoon monk fruit sweetener
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- Ice
- 8 ounces skim milk
Whisk together the instant coffee, monk fruit, and hot water until light and fluffy. Pour over ice and top with skim milk.
Nutrition per serving: 25 calories, 0g fat, 5g carbs, 5g sugar
Keto Whipped Coffee
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee
- 2 tablespoons powdered erythritol or monk fruit sweetener
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- Ice
- 8 ounces unsweetened coconut milk beverage or heavy cream
Whisk together the instant coffee, erythritol, and hot water until frothy. Pour over ice and top with coconut milk beverage or heavy cream.
Nutrition per serving (with coconut milk): 45 calories, 4.5g fat, 2g carbs, 0g sugar
Mocha Whipped Coffee
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon hot water
- Ice
- 8 ounces skim milk
Whisk together the instant coffee, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and hot water until light and airy. Pour over ice and top with skim milk.
Nutrition per serving: 61 calories, 0.5g fat, 14g carbs, 11g sugar
Does Whipped Coffee Give You Energy?
The caffeine in whipped coffee can definitely give you an energizing boost. A typical serving provides around 80mg of caffeine, similar to one cup of brewed coffee.
Caffeine works by blocking adenosine, the neurotransmitter that makes you feel tired. This leads to feelings of alertness, reduced fatigue, and higher energy levels.
However, the sugar in whipped coffee causes energy spikes and crashes. Without adequate protein and fiber to balance out the sugar, you may experience an initial caffeine and sugar buzz followed by sluggishness.
To get steady energy from whipped coffee, it’s best to avoid excess sugar by:
- Cutting the sugar amount in half
- Choosing natural sweeteners like monk fruit
- Pairing it with protein like Greek yogurt or eggs
This helps balance out your blood sugar response so you don’t crash later.
Does Whipped Coffee Help You Lose Weight?
Whipped coffee is unlikely to help with weight loss, and could even cause weight gain if consumed in excess. Here’s why:
- High in added sugar – extra sugar adds empty calories
- Lacks protein, fiber, and nutrients – does not provide satiety
- Causes blood sugar spikes and crashes – leads to cravings and overeating
- Easy to consume excess portion sizes – very high calorie if you have more than 1 serving
That said, enjoying whipped coffee occasionally as part of an overall healthy diet should not negatively impact your weight loss goals. Just be mindful of ingredients and portion sizes. Choose lower sugar variations made with monk fruit or stevia, and stick to a single serving.
To make whipped coffee more figure friendly:
- Add protein powder or collagen peptides
- Mix with Greek yogurt or cottage cheese
- Blend with spinach, avocado, or kale
Adding more protein, fiber and nutrients can help support weight management. But overall, whipped coffee is still more of a treat than a weight loss aid.
Is Whipped Coffee Bad for Your Teeth?
The high sugar content in whipped coffee could potentially damage tooth enamel and lead to cavities over time.
When you consume sugar, the bacteria in your mouth produce acids that attack enamel. Each acid attack lasts about 20 minutes. The more often you sip on sugary drinks, the more frequent these acid attacks become. This erodes and weakens enamel, making teeth more prone to decay.
Whipped coffee is not as bad as drinking soda all day, since most people only have it occasionally. But taking steps to protect your teeth is still a good idea.
To minimize the impact on your dental health:
- Drink with a straw to minimize contact with teeth
- Swish with water after consuming to wash away acid
- Wait at least 30 minutes before brushing teeth
- Consider choosing sugar free or lower sugar variations
It’s also smart to avoid sipping whipping coffee slowly over a long period of time. The longer the teeth are exposed to sugar and acid, the higher the risk of erosion. Drink it within 30 minutes or so and your enamel should stay protected.
Is Whipped Coffee Gluten Free?
Whipped coffee is naturally gluten free, since coffee beans, sugar, and water do not contain any gluten. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye.
Pure instant coffee powder and white sugar do not typically have sources of gluten in them. So plain whipped coffee is safe for gluten free diets.
However, some flavored coffee creamers or syrups added to whipped coffee could contain barley malt or other gluten sources. If you need to avoid gluten, always check labels and look for gluten free brands when adding other ingredients.
Some recipe ideas for gluten-free whipped coffees:
- Use certified gluten free cocoa powder
- Flavor with maple syrup instead of flavored syrups
- Top with coconut milk beverage instead of creamers
- Garnish with gluten free cinnamon
Sticking with basic ingredients like coffee, sugar and milk from gluten free sources ensures your whipped coffee is 100% gluten free.
Does Whipped Coffee Have Lactose?
Whipped coffee is normally made with just coffee, sugar, and water. So plain whipped coffee is lactose-free and dairy-free.
However, many recipes top whipped coffee with milk or creamer, which do contain lactose. Lactose is the natural sugar found in mammalian milk.
Here are some tips for enjoying whipped coffee dairy-free:
– Make whipped coffee as usual, but omit milk and use non-dairy creamers or toppings.
– Coconut milk beverage makes a creamy lactose-free topping.
– Opt for nut-based milk like almond milk, cashew milk, or oat milk.
– Top with coconut whipped cream instead of dairy-based whipped cream.
– Spoon over ice cubes or chilled brewed coffee instead of milk.
– Use completely dairy free recipes with no milk added at all.
With some easy tweaks, those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies can still whip up creamy lactose-free coffee drinks at home.
Conclusion
While whipped coffee has minimal fat, the high added sugar content means it’s not the healthiest choice. Consuming it in excess could contribute to weight gain and blood sugar spikes. Enjoy occasional small portions of whipped coffee mindfully, and opt for lower sugar versions to keep it a reasonably healthy treat. Focus on getting adequate protein, fiber, and nutrients from other whole food sources as part of an overall balanced diet.
