How healthy is americano?

Is americano healthy? Yes, for most people. Americano scores 34/100 on the HowHealthyIs Score: 100 g provides 2 kcal. An americano is espresso topped up with hot water: close to black coffee in calories, with a slightly stronger, rounder taste. Source: standard recipe, USDA FoodData Central ingredients.

  • Low calorie
Score explained

The score compares nutrient density per 100 kcal across every food we cover (NRF9.3 method). Americano ranks higher than 34% of them.

Counts in favor (% daily value per 100 kcal)

  • Magnesium17%
  • Potassium2%
  • Calcium1%
  • Iron1%
  • Protein0%
  • Vitamin C0%
  • Fiber0%
  • Vitamin A0%
  • Vitamin E0%

Counts against

  • Saturated fat1%
  • Added sugars0%
  • Sodium1%

Raw NRF9.3: 21 minus 2 = 19. The score is not a verdict on whether to eat a food; portion, the whole meal and your own health matter more. Full methodology

How many calories are in americano?

Calories7kcal
Protein<0.1g
Carbohydrates1g
Fat0.1g
Fiber0g
Sugars0g
Nutrition facts for americano. Per 100 g and for the selected portion (355 g). %DV uses FDA Daily Values.
NutrientPer 100 gPer portion%DV
Energy and macronutrients
Calories2 kcal7 kcal
Protein<0.1 g<0.1 g0%
Carbohydrates0.3 g1 g0%
Fiber0 g0 g0%
Sugars0 g0 g
Added sugars0 g0 g0%
Fat<0.1 g0.1 g0%
Saturated fat<0.1 g<0.1 g0%
Omega-3 fats0 g0 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A0 µg0 µg0%
Vitamin C<0.1 mg0.1 mg0%
Vitamin D0 µg0 µg0%
Vitamin E0 mg0 mg0%
Vitamin K<0.1 µg<0.1 µg0%
Vitamin B120 µg0 µg0%
Folate0.2 µg0.6 µg0%
Minerals
Calcium2.8 mg10 mg1%
Iron<0.1 mg<0.1 mg0%
Potassium19 mg69 mg1%
Magnesium14 mg51 mg12%
Zinc<0.1 mg<0.1 mg1%
Sodium5.7 mg20 mg1%

Estimated from the standard recipe below, using USDA FoodData Central values for each ingredient. Values rounded.

What is in a standard americano?

We estimate americano from this standard recipe (one serving, about 355 g cooked), using USDA values for each ingredient. Home and restaurant versions vary.

Ingredients for the whole recipe
IngredientAmount
Double shot of espresso60 g
Hot water295 g

Why is americano good for you?

  • 51 mg magnesium in 1 cup (12 oz), 12% of the daily value. Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function.

Good ways to use it

  • A no-calorie coffee to sip slowly
  • Drinking black or with a small splash of milk

What should you watch out for?

  • A double shot carries a fair amount of caffeine; count it toward your daily total.
  • Cream and syrups added at the counter change it completely.

Which drinks score higher?

Other drinks with more nutrition per calorie. Variety matters more than picking one winner.

Coconut milk drink

31 kcal per 100 g

41

High in vitamin B12, Source of calcium

Rice milk

47 kcal per 100 g

45

Source of vitamin B12, Source of vitamin D

Soy milk

54 kcal per 100 g

47

Source of protein, Low sugar

How does americano compare?

Common questions about americano

How many calories are in americano?
100 g of americano has 2 kcal. A typical portion, 1 cup (12 oz) (355 g), has about 7 kcal.
How much protein is in americano?
Americano has <0.1 g of protein per 100 g, or about <0.1 g in 1 cup (12 oz).
Is americano good for weight loss?
Americano is low in calories (2 kcal per 100 g), so it adds volume to meals without many calories. No single food causes weight loss; the overall diet does.

Sources

  1. U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central, SR Legacy, values for each recipe ingredient (FDC IDs 171891, 173647). fdc.nal.usda.gov
  2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels (21 CFR 101.9).
  3. Fulgoni VL, Keast DR, Drewnowski A. Development and validation of the Nutrient-Rich Foods Index. J Nutr. 2009;139(8):1549-1554.
  4. Monteiro CA, et al. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them. Public Health Nutr. 2019;22(5):936-941.

Review and updates

Last updated
Data source
USDA FoodData Central, per ingredient. Not individually reviewed by a dietitian. How we check

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More: Drinks ranked, foods high in magnesium.