Starbucks offers a variety of milk options for customers to customize their drinks, including nonfat or skim milk. For health-conscious coffee drinkers watching their calorie intake, nonfat milk can be the perfect lighter alternative to higher-fat dairy milks. But exactly how many calories are in Starbucks’ nonfat milk? Let’s take a closer look.
Calories in Nonfat Milk at Starbucks
Starbucks provides complete nutrition information on their website for all their menu items, including detailed breakdowns of calories, saturated fat, protein, carbohydrates, sugars, sodium, and more. According to Starbucks, one serving of nonfat milk contains:
- Calories: 45
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Total Carbohydrates: 7g
- Sugars: 7g
- Sodium: 125mg
So a single serving of Starbucks nonfat milk contains 45 calories, with no fat, 4g of protein, 7g of carbs, and 125mg of sodium.
Serving Size of Nonfat Milk at Starbucks
It’s important to note that Starbucks defines one serving of nonfat milk as 1/4 cup or 2 ounces. Many coffee drinks will use much more milk than this.
For example, a small Starbucks Latte is typically made with 1 cup of milk. So a small nonfat milk latte would contain about 180 calories just from the nonfat milk alone (4 servings of 45 calories each).
This means the calorie content can add up quickly if you order a larger size drink with nonfat milk, or add extra milk to your coffee. Always check the complete nutrition data for your specific drink order to understand exactly what you’re consuming.
Comparing Calories in Different Starbucks Milk Options
To put the 45 calories per serving of nonfat milk in context, let’s compare it to the calories in some of Starbucks’ other dairy milk options:
| Milk Type | Calories per 1/4 cup (2 oz) serving |
|---|---|
| Nonfat Milk | 45 calories |
| 1% Milk | 50 calories |
| 2% Milk | 60 calories |
| Whole Milk | 65 calories |
As you can see, nonfat milk has the lowest calorie content per serving compared to 1%, 2%, and whole milk options at Starbucks. Choosing nonfat over these other milks can lead to notable calorie savings over time, especially if consuming milk-based drinks frequently.
Nonfat Milk as the Lower Calorie Option
Nonfat or skim milk has the fat removed, leaving only the protein and carbohydrates from the milk. This significantly reduces the calorie content compared to the versions of milk that retain more of their natural fat content.
However, experts are divided on whether nonfat milk is truly healthier than low fat milks like 1% or 2%. Some of the potential benefits of nonfat milk include:
- Fewer calories – eliminates the high fat calories
- Less saturated fat – can help reduce risk of heart disease
- More calcium and vitamin D
- May help with weight loss or maintenance
However, there are also some drawbacks to consider:
- Eliminates healthy fats – may reduce feeling of fullness
- Potentially less nutritious – removal of fat reduces beneficial nutrients like vitamin A
- Higher sugar – often has added milk solids and sweeteners
- Less protein than low-fat milk
Overall, nonfat milk can be a smart choice for limiting calorie and fat intake, but some prefer low fat milks for their greater nutritional profile.
Tips for Ordering Nonfat Milk Drinks at Starbucks
If you’re looking to keep your Starbucks drink calories in check, here are some tips for ordering nonfat milk drinks:
- Stick to small or tall sizes instead of large or venti
- Avoid added syrups, whipped cream, or sweet toppings
- Choose “skinny” versions of lattes and flavored drinks
- Ask for light or very light ice to get more milk
- Limit yourself to 1-2 pumps of flavored syrups
- Substitute nonfat for whole or 2% milk in any drink
And when in doubt, you can always ask your barista for guidance on the lowest calorie preparations.
Non-Dairy Milk Options at Starbucks
For those avoiding dairy altogether, Starbucks also provides several plant-based milk options, including:
- Soy milk
- Coconut milk
- Almond milk
- Oat milk
The calorie content varies by milk type, but these dairy-free alternatives average between 30-90 calories per 8 ounce serving. So they too can be lower calorie milk choices based on your specific dietary needs or preferences.
Conclusion
When ordering coffee drinks made with milk at Starbucks, opting for the nonfat or skim milk can be an effective way to cut down on calories and fat compared to whole milk options. Starbucks nonfat milk contains 45 calories per serving (1/4 cup or 2 ounces).
Keep in mind larger drink sizes or extra pumps of syrups and toppings can still quickly increase the total calorie content. But overall, nonfat milk is one of the simplest swaps to lighten up your Starbucks order. Referring to Starbucks’ complete nutrition data can help identify the best low calorie preparations for your favorite drinks.