How healthy is iced coffee?
Is iced coffee healthy? Yes, with little or no syrup. Iced coffee scores 7/100 on the HowHealthyIs Score: 100 g provides 19 kcal. Iced coffee with milk and sugar is chilled brewed coffee over ice, lightened with a splash of milk and sweetened with sugar syrup. Without the syrup it is almost calorie-free. Source: standard recipe, USDA FoodData Central ingredients.
Score explained
The score compares nutrient density per 100 kcal across every food we cover (NRF9.3 method). Iced coffee ranks higher than 7% of them.
Counts in favor (% daily value per 100 kcal)
- Calcium6%
- Potassium5%
- Protein5%
- Magnesium4%
- Vitamin A4%
- Vitamin E0%
- Iron0%
- Vitamin C0%
- Fiber0%
Counts against
- Saturated fat4%
- Added sugars31%
- Sodium2%
Raw NRF9.3: 25 minus 36 = -12. 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 iced coffee?
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per portion | %DV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy and macronutrients | |||
| Calories | 19 kcal | 93 kcal | |
| Protein | 0.5 g | 2.4 g | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 3.6 g | 18 g | 7% |
| Fiber | 0 g | 0 g | 0% |
| Sugars | 3.7 g | 18 g | |
| Added sugars | 3.1 g | 15 g | 30% |
| Fat | 0.3 g | 1.2 g | 2% |
| Saturated fat | 0.2 g | 0.8 g | 4% |
| Omega-3 fats | 0 g | 0 g | |
| Vitamins | |||
| Vitamin A | 6.7 µg | 33 µg | 4% |
| Vitamin C | <0.1 mg | <0.1 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 µg | 0.7 µg | 4% |
| Vitamin E | <0.1 mg | <0.1 mg | 0% |
| Vitamin K | <0.1 µg | 0.4 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin B12 | <0.1 µg | 0.3 µg | 12% |
| Folate | 1.8 µg | 9 µg | 2% |
| Minerals | |||
| Calcium | 17 mg | 82 mg | 6% |
| Iron | <0.1 mg | <0.1 mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 47 mg | 231 mg | 5% |
| Magnesium | 3.4 mg | 17 mg | 4% |
| Zinc | <0.1 mg | 0.3 mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 8 mg | 39 mg | 2% |
Estimated from the standard recipe below, using USDA FoodData Central values for each ingredient. Values rounded.
What is in a standard iced coffee?
We estimate iced coffee from this standard recipe (one serving, about 490 g cooked), using USDA values for each ingredient. Home and restaurant versions vary. Modeled with 2% milk and about a tablespoon of sugar as syrup; unsweetened iced coffee has almost no calories.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Brewed coffee, chilled | 300 g |
| Ice | 100 g |
| 2% milk | 60 g |
| Sugar syrup (sugar) | 15 g |
| Sugar syrup (water) | 15 g |
Why is iced coffee good for you?
- 0.3 µg vitamin B12 in 1 cup (16 oz), 12% of the daily value. Vitamin B12 contributes to the normal formation of red blood cells.
Good ways to use it
- A cold coffee on hot days
- Asking for it unsweetened or half sweet
What should you watch out for?
- The sugar syrup is where most of the calories come from; cold drinks are easy to sweeten heavily.
Which drinks score higher?
Other drinks with more nutrition per calorie. Variety matters more than picking one winner.