Nothing says summer-to me-quite like swapping my steamy cup of coffee for a frosty iced or frozen version.
But as a registered dietitian and the nutrition editor of EatingWell Magazine, I cant help but wonder what the calorie damage is on some of those iced coffee or frozen coffee drinks, especially at popular restaurants like McDonalds, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. Milkshake-thick coffee goodness + whipped cream + chocolate drizzle = diet derailer.
I investigated-below is a look at how 16-ounce frozen coffee drinks stack up nutritionally at three of the most popular fast food restaurants-McDonalds, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts-plus some tips on how to order healthier sips.
The Healthiest Choice: As a nutritionist, Id be remiss not to mention this: ordering the iced coffee (mocha) version of each of these drinks can cut the calorie load significantly-in some shops by as much as half. Also, a straight-up iced coffee (with skim milk, which you might have to specify) is, of course, the skinniest sip-most of the 16-ounce varieties deliver less than 100 calories.
The Worst of the Bunch: McDonalds Frappe Mocha (medium, 16 ounces) delivers 560 calories, 24 g fat, a days worth of saturated fat (15 g), 70 g sugar, 160 mg sodium. I was surprised to learn that its comparable nutrition-wise to a Big Mac-which has 540 calories, 29 g fat, 10 g saturated fat, 9 g sugar, 1,040 mg sodium.
How to Order a Healthier McDonalds Frozen Coffee Drink: Skip the whipped cream and chocolate drizzle and youll save 90 calories, 7 g fat and 4 g saturated fat, plus a little sugar and sodium.
Save even more with a small: its 12 ounces and has 450 calories, 20 g fat, 13 g saturated, 56 g sugar, 130 mg sodium.
Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino (Grande, 16 ounces) delivers 360 calories, 14 g fat, 9 g saturated fat, 54 g sugar, 210 mg sodium.
How to Order a Healthier Starbucks Frozen Coffee Drink: Order it without whipped cream and swap Starbucks standard 2% milk for skim and save 130 calories, 13 g fat and some sugar and sodium and nix all the saturated fat.
The Mocha Light Frappuccino (Grande, 16 ounces) is even, well, lighter: 140 calories, 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 29 g sugar, 190 mg sodium.
Dunkin Donuts Coffee Coolata (small, 16 ounces) delivers 240 calories, 4 g fat, 2.5 g saturated fat, 49 g sugar, 90 mg sodium.
How to Order a Healthier Dunkin Donuts Frozen Coffee Drink: Ask for it with skim milk instead of whole and youll save 30 calories and ditch the total fat and saturated fat altogether.
Whats your favorite iced coffee or frozen coffee drink-and how do you order it so its lighter?
McDonald’s Caramel Frappe Weight Watchers Points
Weight Watchers Freestyle Points: 23
Weight Watchers SmartPoints: 23
Weight Watchers PointsPlus: 12
Is the Caramel Frappe good for you?
Does the Caramel Frappe taste good?
Allergy Information: a McDonalds Caramel Frappe contains milk. a McDonalds Caramel Frappe does not contain egg, fish, gluten, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts or wheat.*
* Please keep in mind that most fast food restaurants cannot guarantee that any product is free of allergens as they use shared equipment for prepping foods.
Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino (Grande, 16 ounces) delivers 360 calories, 14 g fat, 9 g saturated fat, 54 g sugar, 210 mg sodium.
The Mocha Light Frappuccino (Grande, 16 ounces) is even, well, lighter: 140 calories, 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 29 g sugar, 190 mg sodium.
Save even more with a small: its 12 ounces and has 450 calories, 20 g fat, 13 g saturated, 56 g sugar, 130 mg sodium.
The Healthiest Choice: As a nutritionist, Id be remiss not to mention this: ordering the iced coffee (mocha) version of each of these drinks can cut the calorie load significantly-in some shops by as much as half. Also, a straight-up iced coffee (with skim milk, which you might have to specify) is, of course, the skinniest sip-most of the 16-ounce varieties deliver less than 100 calories.
How to Order a Healthier Dunkin Donuts Frozen Coffee Drink: Ask for it with skim milk instead of whole and youll save 30 calories and ditch the total fat and saturated fat altogether.
McDonalds Caramel Frappé recipe is made with rich caramel flavor and a hint of coffee, blended with ice, and topped with whipped topping and caramel drizzle. Available in Small, Medium, and Large. There are 430 calories in a small Caramel Frappé. Order a Caramel Frappé using Mobile Order & Pay! Mobile Order & Pay at participating McDonalds. McD App download and registration required.
The nutrition information on this website is derived from testing conducted in accredited laboratories, published resources, or from information provided from McDonalds suppliers. The nutrition information is based on standard product formulations and serving sizes. Calories for fountain beverages are based on standard fill levels plus ice. If you use the self-service fountain inside the restaurant for your drink order, see the sign posted at the beverage fountain for beverage calories without ice. All nutrition information is based on average values for ingredients and is rounded in accordance with current U.S. FDA NLEA regulations. Variation in serving sizes, preparation techniques, product testing and sources of supply, as well as regional and seasonal differences may affect the nutrition values for each product. In addition, product formulations change periodically. You should expect some variation in the nutrient content of the products purchased in our restaurants. Beverage sizes may vary in your market. McDonald’s USA does not certify or claim any of its US menu items as Halal, Kosher or meeting any other religious requirements. We do not promote any of our US menu items as vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free. This information is correct as of January 2022, unless stated otherwise.
Important Note : At McDonalds, we take great care to serve quality, great-tasting menu items to our customers each and every time they visit our restaurants. We understand that each of our customers has individual needs and considerations when choosing a place to eat or drink outside their home, especially those customers with food allergies. As part of our commitment to you, we provide the most current ingredient information available from our food suppliers for the eight most common allergens as identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (eggs, dairy, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish), so that our guests with food allergies can make informed food selections. However, we also want you to know that despite taking precautions, normal kitchen operations may involve some shared cooking and preparation areas, equipment and utensils, and the possibility exists for your food items to come in contact with other food products, including allergens. We encourage our customers with food allergies or special dietary needs to visit www.mcdonalds.com for ingredient information, and to consult their doctor for questions regarding their diet. If you have questions about our food, please reach out to us directly using our contact us forms.
Important Note : At McDonalds, we take great care to serve quality, great-tasting menu items to our customers each and every time they visit our restaurants. We understand that each of our customers has individual needs and considerations when choosing a place to eat or drink outside their home, especially those customers with food allergies. As part of our commitment to you, we provide the most current ingredient information available from our food suppliers for the eight most common allergens as identified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (eggs, dairy, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish), so that our guests with food allergies can make informed food selections. However, we also want you to know that despite taking precautions, normal kitchen operations may involve some shared cooking and preparation areas, equipment and utensils, and the possibility exists for your food items to come in contact with other food products, including allergens. We encourage our customers with food allergies or special dietary needs to visit www.mcdonalds.com for ingredient information, and to consult their doctor for questions regarding their diet. Due to the individualized nature of food allergies and food sensitivities, customers physicians may be best positioned to make recommendations for customers with food allergies and special dietary needs. If you have questions about our food, please reach out to us directly at mcdonalds.com/contact or 1-800-244-6227.
** Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
FAQ
How many calories are in a large McDonald’s frappe?
How many calories are in a McDonald’s medium frappe?
