If you’ve got a craving for one of Starbucks’s famous frappuccinos but don’t want to sabotage your health-conscious lifestyle, I’ve got good news for you: you don’t have to! Starbucks offers some seriously delicious frappuccinos, and many of them are still low enough in calories to be enjoyed while watching your weight.
Reducing Calories
If you want to reduce the calories present in your Starbucks order, you don’t have to completely change your routine. Instead, try substituting some ingredients and requesting sugar-free or lower-calorie alternatives to anything already present in the order. Here are some tips to help you reduce the calories on any Starbucks order, frappuccino or otherwise:
Try a Non-Dairy Alternative
Most Starbucks frappuccinos are made with dairy milk, usually whole. One easy way to trim some of the calories from this is to request either nonfat milk or a non-dairy milk alternative.
Oat milk and almond milk are excellent low-calorie substitutions for dairy and have little to no effect on the overall taste. Don’t swap it out for coconut milk, though – it tends to be high in calories and fat, so it’ll defeat the purpose!
Opt for Sugar-Free Syrups
Most syrups at Starbucks have a sugar-free alternative available on hand at the customer’s request. Make sure to take advantage of this so you can trim some calories off where it counts.
Limit the Toppings
Naturally, some of the most popular frappuccinos at Starbucks are the ones most loaded with toppings, sugar, and extras. However, if you’re looking to reduce calorie intake and still want something sweet, you don’t necessarily need all that extra junk. Instead, ask for fewer toppings next time.
Best Low-Calorie Starbucks Frappuccinos
Without further ado, here are the 10 best low-calorie Starbucks frappuccinos on the menu. Keep in mind that the calorie count listed here reflects the content within a Tall size – if you go a size up, you’ll find that the calorie count increases.
1. Caramel Frappuccino (260 cal)
The fan-favorite Caramel Frappuccino is about as classic as it gets at the Starbucks drive-thru. There’s simply nothing more delightful than the simple pleasure of caramel and blended coffee! With only 260 calories, this frappuccino is a great lower-cal alternative to some of the heavier options on the Starbucks menu – and it’s delicious!
2. Strawberry Creme Frappuccino (250 cal)
For those of us with a taste for simpler things, the Strawberry Creme Frappuccino is where it’s at. Although the taste is more subtle, those sweet strawberry undertones really make this drink a winner. The creme creates a creamy, silky taste and texture that’s perfect for summer mornings.
3. Coffee Frappuccino (160 cal)
Clocking in at just 160 calories, the widely beloved Coffee Frappuccino is where it’s at. Not only is this one of the lowest calorie frappuccinos on the entire Starbucks menu, but it has enough caffeine and flavor to make your entire day.
This frappuccino is the king of keeping things simple: it’s just coffee, milk, and ice, blended together into a delightful creation packed with caffeine. If you want a little extra flavor, you can always ask for a pump of some sugar-free syrup to give it a slight boost.
4. Cinnamon Dolce Creme Frappuccino (280 cal)
If you love cinnamon even half as much as I do, the Cinnamon Dolce Creme Frappuccino is the perfect frapp for you. Starbucks’s cinnamon dolce syrup is the star of the show in this delicious blended beverage, and the creme smooths it out and mellows the flavor just enough that you can still get that cinnamon fix without it feeling “spicy” or too intense.
5. Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino (260 cal)
It doesn’t get much more reliable than the classic favorite: vanilla! If you love vanilla and are looking for a low-calorie frapp, this one’s for you. At just 260 calories, it’s a great health-conscious alternative to some of the heavier options on the menu, and it still delivers that delicious vanilla taste.
Java Chip Frappuccino (320 cal)
This frappuccino has the highest calorie count on this list, but if you’re not feeling super strict or if you have a cheat day incoming, this is worth the extra bulk. The java chip frappuccino combines coffee and chocolate, forming the ultimate mocha frappuccino.
Sometimes mocha drinks go a little too hard on the chocolate and it washes out the coffee – but not the Java Chip. This frappuccino maintains a healthy balance of both – much like the healthy balance it takes to try it while dieting!
Snickerdoodle Mocha Creme Frappuccino (260 cal)
This is one of my absolute favorites, and I’ll recommend it to anyone, especially if you’re watching your calorie intake. Starbucks’s Snickerdoodle Mocha Creme Frappuccino is made with mocha sauce, cinnamon dolce sprinkles, and whipped cream. At just 260 calories, it’s crazy how similar this beverage tastes to an actual snickerdoodle – and better yet, you get the added bonus of a caffeine boost.
Chai Creme Frappuccino (230 cal)
Starbucks’s Chai Creme Frappuccino seamlessly combines the delightful flavor of chai with cinnamon for a blended beverage that’ll really knock your socks off. If you love cinnamon, this one’s really worth a try during your next visit to the drive-thru.
White Chocolate Creme Frappuccino (250 cal)
For fans of white chocolate, Starbucks’s White Chocolate Creme Frappuccino is the way to go. The sweet taste of white chocolate mingles beautifully with the creme for a silky smooth finish that satisfies even the strongest sweet tooth. At only 250 calories, this is one of the sweetest frapps out there, and is the ideal sweet treat for anyone dieting.
Espresso Frappuccino (150 cal)
Last but certainly not least is the basic yet bold Espresso Frappuccino. If your primary goal is to hit that caffeine high and get through your busy day, this is the best option for you, hands down.
The Espresso Frappuccino is relatively simple – just a blended frapp made with milk and espresso. However, the key is in the details: the simple ingredients keep its calorie count as low as 150 – the lowest on this list – and that espresso packs a serious punch. If it’s not enough for you, throw in a few pumps of flavoring.
Something for Everyone
The great thing about Starbucks is that they have a massive menu, and many of their options can be made into reduced-calorie versions of the original, even their frappuccinos. Next time you visit your local Starbucks, give one of these amazing recipes a try!
