Low-Carb Coffee Hacks: How to Order Keto-Friendly Drinks at Popular Coffee Chains

Are you a coffee lover trying to stick to your keto diet? You might find yourself facing the dilemma of ordering your favorite coffee without breaking your carb limit. The good news is you don't have to sacrifice your morning ritual.

With a few simple tweaks, you can enjoy a delicious, keto-friendly coffee at almost any major coffee chain. Let’s dive into how you can stay on track while sipping your favorite brew.

What is the Keto Diet?

The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet designed to help your body burn fat for energy. By drastically reducing carbs, your body enters a state called ketosis, where it burns fat instead of glucose. This diet requires you to keep your daily carb intake typically below 20-50 grams.

While the keto diet is effective for weight loss and improving certain health markers, it can be challenging when it comes to drinks like coffee, which often come loaded with sugar and carbs. Understanding the basics of keto is crucial to making smart choices, especially when you're on the go and need a caffeine fix.

Carbs in Coffee

Plain black coffee is naturally low in carbs, but as soon as you start adding milk, sugar, or flavored syrups, the carb count skyrockets.

For example, a typical Starbucks latte made with 2% milk can contain over 15 grams of carbs per 12-ounce serving. That’s almost an entire day's worth of carbs for someone following a strict keto diet.

What Are Keto-Friendly Coffee Options at Major Coffee Chains?

How to Order Keto at Starbucks

When ordering keto at Starbucks, focus on low-carb, high-fat options that keep your carb count low while satisfying your coffee cravings. Starbucks offers a variety of drinks that can be easily customized to fit your keto lifestyle.

Here’s a simple way to order:

Brewed coffee: Add heavy cream instead of milk. This adds richness without the carbs found in milk.

Americano: Top with a splash of heavy cream or a pat of butter for a smooth, creamy finish.

Espresso: Order it over ice, add heavy cream, and a few pumps of sugar-free syrup. This makes for a refreshing, keto-friendly iced coffee.

Keto Frappuccino Hack: Want a Frappuccino but worried about the carbs? Ask for a blended iced coffee with heavy cream, a sugar-free syrup, and no base (which is where most of the sugar hides). It’s not on the menu, but baristas can usually make it for you.

Starbucks' Secret Menu: Starbucks has a "secret" keto menu that many people don't know about. For example, you can order a “Keto White Drink” by asking for unsweetened peach citrus white tea, heavy cream, and two to four pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup. This is a perfect low-carb alternative to the sugary drinks on the regular menu.

For more specific options and menu: Detailed Keto Starbucks Guide

What Keto Drinks are Available at Dunkin'?

Dunkin' also offers some great keto-friendly drinks. They have a wide variety of options that can be customized to fit your keto needs. The key is to avoid anything that says "swirl" on the menu, as those are packed with sugar.

Here’s how to make them keto:

Iced coffee: Add heavy cream and a sugar-free flavor shot (vanilla or hazelnut are great choices). Dunkin’s flavor shots are unsweetened and add no carbs, unlike their flavor swirls, which should be avoided.

Hot coffee: Add a splash of heavy cream and skip the sugar. Ask for a sugar substitute like Splenda or stevia to sweeten your drink without adding carbs.

Cold brew: Dunkin's cold brew is smooth and naturally low in carbs. Add heavy cream and a sugar-free flavor shot to make it keto-friendly.

Keto Lattes: Dunkin’ offers almond milk as an alternative to regular milk, which is much lower in carbs. Pair it with an espresso shot and a sugar-free flavor shot for a delicious keto latte. Just be sure to specify unsweetened almond milk to avoid hidden sugars.

How Do You Get Keto Coffee at Peet's?

Peet’s Coffee is another great spot to grab a keto drink. Their coffee is known for being strong and flavorful, making it a great base for keto-friendly modifications.

Customize your order with these options:

Cold brew: Peet’s cold brew is rich and naturally low in carbs. Add heavy cream or a splash of half-and-half to make it more keto-friendly.

Almond milk latte: Peet’s offers unsweetened almond milk as an option for lattes. Make sure to ask for no added sugars or syrups unless they’re sugar-free.

Nitro cold brew: Peet’s Nitro Cold Brew is naturally sweet and smooth, making it a great option on its own. You can add a splash of heavy cream or unsweetened almond milk if you prefer it creamier.

Keto Mocha Hack: If you’re craving something chocolatey, ask for an almond milk mocha with no sweeteners and add a packet of stevia. This way, you get the rich chocolate flavor without the carbs.

What Are Some Tips for Customizing Your Coffee to Stay in Ketosis?

Customizing your coffee to stay in ketosis is all about knowing what to add and what to skip.

Here are some quick tips that can make a big difference in keeping your coffee keto-friendly:

Use low-carb sweeteners: Stevia, monk fruit, and erythritol are great choices. They provide sweetness without spiking your blood sugar, which is crucial for staying in ketosis. Avoid regular sugar, honey, or agave syrup, as they are high in carbs.

Add healthy fats: MCT oil, butter, or heavy cream can make your coffee more satisfying and help keep you in ketosis. These fats can also provide sustained energy throughout the day, which is a key benefit of the keto diet.

Watch out for hidden carbs: Even seemingly innocent additions like flavored syrups, whipped cream, and certain types of milk can add up quickly in carbs. Always opt for sugar-free syrups, unsweetened almond or coconut milk, and plain heavy cream.

Related: Is Latte Espresso Keto-Friendly?

Comparison of common add-ins and their carb counts per serving:

DIY Keto Coffee at Home

If you’re a fan of making your own coffee, consider investing in a milk frother to create a creamy, frothy drink at home. This way, you can control exactly what goes into your coffee and ensure it stays keto-friendly.

Related: Is Turkish Coffee Keto-Friendly?

End Note

Enjoying your coffee while staying at keto doesn't have to be complicated. With the right choices, you can sip your favorite drinks without worrying about carbs. Whether you’re at Starbucks, Dunkin', or Peet's, you’ve got plenty of options to keep your coffee routine both delicious and keto-friendly.

Remember, the key to staying keto is customization. Don’t be afraid to ask your barista to make adjustments to your order. Most coffee shops are happy to accommodate dietary preferences, and with these tips, you can confidently order a low-carb coffee that keeps you on track with your keto goals.

So, next time you’re at your favorite coffee chain, you can enjoy your coffee just the way you like it—without the carbs.

Disclaimer: The images used in this blog are illustrative representations created through artificial intelligence. They are not official brand images or logos and do not accurately reflect the specific offerings or visual branding of the mentioned coffee chains.