When you’re following a low-carb diet, your options for beverage choices are pretty limited. However, there are a few coffee shops that offer some great low-carb coffee drinks and other tasty beverages that won’t throw you off track.
Starbucks offers customers plenty of healthy drink options that fit nicely into a low-carb diet. In fact, they have many drinks with fewer than 20 grams of carbs per serving. Below is a list of the most popular low-carb Starbucks drinks to help you stay on track when visiting your local store.
The 7 Best Low-Carb Starbucks Drinks
1. Starbucks Low-Carb Black Coffee
| Carbs: | 0 g |
| Suggested size: | Any |
Black coffee has zero carbs. However, the flavor may not be to your liking, so we recommend adding a low-carb sweetener like Stevia to give it some flavor without affecting your blood sugar levels. Black coffee is a great way to start your day if you’re following a low-carb diet. While water is essential for good health, too much can make you feel tired and unable to concentrate.
2. Tall Latte with Low-fat Milk
| Carbs: | 19 g |
| Suggested size: | Tall or smaller |
A tall latte made with low-fat milk has a total of 19 grams of carbs. It also has 14 grams of fat and 12 grams of protein. It’s a great low-carb coffee drink, but make sure you avoid syrups and flavorings as they often contain added sugar. To sweeten it without spiking your blood sugar, use a non-calorie sweetener like Stevia. And if you’re sensitive to caffeine, consider ordering a decaf latte instead.
Decaf lattes are made using the same recipe as the regular latte but with decaf coffee beans. The caffeine content of coffee beans is about 98% caffeine-free after two hours after roasting. A tall latte made with low-fat milk is a great way to start your day. It contains plenty of protein to keep you feeling full, with the same energy levels that you’ve come to love from your coffee.
3. Tall Hot Chocolate Coffee
| Carbs: | 17 g |
| Suggested size: | Tall or smaller |
A tall hot chocolate coffee made with low-fat milk has 17 grams of carbs. It also has 8 grams of fat and 11 grams of protein. Like the latte, it’s another great low-carb coffee drink that can be sweetened with a non-calorie sweetener like Truvia or Stevia.
Hot chocolate has been around for centuries, but you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy this delicious low-carb coffee drink. It contains plenty of protein to keep you full and energized for hours while also delivering a nice hit of antioxidants. Chocolate is also a great source of magnesium, which is essential for a healthy heart and nervous system.
4. Tall Caramel Apple Spice
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjENtrHu7Et/
| Carbs: | 15 g |
| Suggested size: | Tall or smaller |
A tall caramel apple spice has 15 grams of carbs. It also has 9 grams of fat and 13 grams of protein. If you add low-fat milk to the mix, the carb count will increase to roughly 19 grams. This low-carb coffee drink is a great choice if you like fall flavors, but it’s definitely not for everyone. If you like the sound of this coffee drink, you can order it with low-fat milk to reduce the carb content.
5. Short Strawberries & Cream Frappuccino
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSfeEogsN65/
| Carbs: | 12 g |
| Suggested size: | Short |
The short strawberries & cream Frappuccino made with low-fat milk has 12 grams of carbs. It also has 8 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, you can also order a decaf Frappuccino. Note that this is a very sweet low-carb coffee drink, so it’s best to order it in short size. Like the caramel apple spice, strawberries and cream is a flavor that may not be for everyone.
6. Short Dark Chocolate Frappuccino
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZSKkU4F7QE/
| Carbs: | 10 g |
| Suggested size: | Short |
A short dark chocolate Frappuccino made with non-frothed milk has 10 grams of carbs. It also has 7 grams of fat and 8 grams of protein. Dark chocolate is a great source of antioxidants and a few other essential minerals and vitamins. Note that every Starbucks may have its own version of this drink, so it’s important to look at the ingredients before making your order. And of course, to ensure that it is low in carbs make sure to use a non-sugar sweetener such as Truvia or Stevia.
7. Short Vanilla Bean Frappuccino
| Carbs: | 12 g |
| Suggested size: | Short |
A short vanilla bean Frappuccino made with non-frothed milk has 12 grams of carbs. It also has 9 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein. You can also find this drink at most Starbucks stores and get it in any size. But to ensure that it’s low in carbs, be sure to order a short size and opt for the non-sugar-based sweetener. Like the other drinks on this list, many of the carbs come from the sweetening syrups used for the drink, but they have low-carb alternatives available.
Tips to Save Money at Starbucks
If you’re an avid Starbucks drinker and looking for low-carb options, you probably know that Starbucks can get pricey. But you should know that there are ways that you can save and get more out of your next visit. With a little preparation and insider knowledge, you can enjoy your favorite drinks without breaking the bank. Here are 10 ways to save money at Starbucks so you can get your fix.
Go for the Small
If you’re trying to save money at Starbucks, it makes sense to choose the smallest size you can get away with – even if you’re not on a low-carb diet. Surprisingly, a single grande nonfat latte per day will add up to $70 per month. Also, instead of ordering the smallest beverage size, consider ordering a beverage with fewer extras.
You can also save money at Starbucks by ordering a beverage without syrups or choosing a beverage with fewer pumps. If you’re willing to forego the syrup, you’ll save even more money.
Drink Only Basic Coffee
There’s no need to get a fancy beverage with a ton of extra add-ons when you’re trying to save money (and consume lower carbs) at Starbucks. Skip the syrup, the extra flavors, and the extra espresso shots. These things are nice to have—but not necessary. Instead, order a tall brewed coffee or a tall hot or iced black or green tea. These drinks will give you a caffeine boost without breaking the bank.
You can also try ordering an Americano or a cafe latte with steamed milk. These drinks are similar to espresso drinks, but they’re cheaper since they don’t have extra espresso shots. These beverages are cheaper since they don’t come with espresso shots.
Use Starbucks Rewards to Save
If you’re a frequent Starbucks customer, you can use Starbucks rewards to earn free drinks. You can earn 1 Star for every $1 you spend at Starbucks. Once you earn enough Stars to reach a membership tier, you can start earning free beverages and food. You’ll start earning free beverages once you earn 300 Stars, which equates to spending $60. You’ll start earning free food once you’ve earned 300 Stars and reached the Green level, which equates to spending $30.
Order Tea Instead of Coffee
If you like coffee but are willing to try other things, you can save money at Starbucks by ordering tea instead. You can also add flavor syrups to your tea to give it some extra flavor without adding extra cost. Teas with milk can also be satiating if you’re looking for your morning drink to be a bit more filling.
Check Out Their Baked Goods
Starbucks is known for its drinks, but they also have a wide variety of baked goods that you can order for a cheaper price. For example, you can get a cookie or a cake pop for about $1.50. Add this to low-cost coffee options such as black coffee or espresso, and you’ll have a complete breakfast for about $4. You can find a wide variety of baked goods, including muffins, scones, cookies, bagels, and more. You can also get any of these items as a gluten-free item if you need to avoid gluten.
Conclusion
When you’re following a low-carb diet, coffee can be your friend. Not only does coffee have plenty of health benefits, but it can also help you stay energized throughout the day. However, you don’t want to drink just any coffee as many of them are often laden with carbs. Once you know which Starbucks drinks have fewer grams of carbs per serving, you can build your perfect list of go-to drinks each week.
Featured Image Credit: Olivia Lim, Unsplash
