The Optavia Starbucks list refers to drinks found at Starbucks Coffee that are approved for the Optimal Weight 5 and 1 plan. And while it’s ok to drink coffee on the Optavia diet, I suggest you pay attention to your calorie intake for optimal results.
Optavia Starbucks drinks contain fewer than 15 calories per serving and are free from any toppings, creamers, or flavors that could increase the calorie content.
So if you’re not sure about what to order at Starbucks on Optavia, you’ve found the perfect resource to guide you!
Whether you’re in the mood for some low-calorie dark chocolate, a creamy latte made with low-fat milk, or something fruity like an Iced Passion Tango tea infusion, we’ve got some great suggestions for you.
Every item on our list is low in calories and full of flavor, so don’t be afraid to indulge.
What Can I Get At Starbucks On Optavia 5 and 1?
On the Optavia 5 and 1 plan, you can enjoy Starbucks drinks that fall within a calorie range of 0-15 per cup. These approved options encompass beverages like cold brew, coffee americano, espresso, iced green coffee, and a variety of teas.
While coffee is allowed on the 5 and 1 plan, not all Starbucks drinks are created equal.
I recommend staying away from hot chocolates, steamers, and flavored lattes.
If you choose one of these fancy high-calorie drinks, I suggest you order smaller sizes (8 to 12 fl oz).
The best options are low-calorie drinks, which include brewed coffees (without sugar), iced americano, cold brew coffee, or herbal teas.
Which Starbucks Drinks Have Excessive Calories For Optavia?
Starbucks drinks that tend to have higher calorie counts and are not aligned with the Optavia 5 and 1 plan include Macchiatos and Frappuccinos. Even the new Starbucks Oleato Coffee, infused with olive oil, contains approximately 400 calories.
Here’s a photo of a grande mocha cookie crumble Frappuccino.
This 16 fl oz coffee contains an average of 480 calories (1). That’s the equivalent of 4-5 Optavia Fuelings or one Lean & Green meal.
Right behind it, you see grande caffè americano which has an average of 15 calories (2).
(Big difference.)
I like to treat myself to one drink every once in a while, but I stay away for the most part.
Most people don’t realize just how many calories are in Starbucks drinks!
Starbucks doesn’t provide nutritional labels on their coffee drinks, but you can find all calorie information on their website.
Although the average grande Starbucks drink such as Frappuccinos, Lattes, and Macchiatos may contain anywhere from 200 to 400 calories, there are plenty of low-calorie options to choose from.
What Starbucks Drinks Can I Order On Optavia 5 and 1?
This list shows what Starbucks drinks you can order on Optavia 5 and 1 plan.
- Cold Brew
- Caffè Americano
- Espresso
- Chai Tea
- Iced Green Tea
- Espresso Macchiato
- Earl Grey Tea
- Royal English Tea
- Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew
1. Cold Brew
I’m a huge fan of Starbucks black coffee, mainly because it’s low in calories. In fact, this is one of my favorite drinks you can have on Optavia.
Regardless if you choose tall, grande, or venti, one serving has only 5 calories (3).
Starbucks Cold Brew tastes great and has high caffeine levels, which helps to keep my energy up for the day.
More importantly, it’s a good value for the money; one cup can easily provide me with several hours of energy without loading up on sweeteners or creams.
Plus, my throat doesn’t end up feeling like it’s on fire after drinking it, like some other cups of black java I’ve had!
2. Caffè Americano
Starbucks Caffè Americano is my favorite Optavia coffee, mainly becasue I drink it with my homemade protein shakes and smoothies.
It has a bold flavor and a nice balance of sweetness, acidity, and aromatics.
Every Saturday morning, my wife and I like to grab freshly brewed Americano (with no added sugar) before we head to the gym.
Here’s the photo of me drinking black Americano in my local Starbucks in Coral Gabels.
One cup of Americano has 15 calories (4), doesn’t matter which size you choose.
3. Espresso
Although I like to brew espresso every morning as a part o my 5-minute coffee ritual, I also often go to Starbucks during the day.
Starbucks espresso is my go-to pick-me-up drink when I need an afternoon kick without having to resort to unhealthy energy drinks.
One Starbucks doppio has 1.5 fl oz and 10 calories per serving (5).
I also often mix it with my favorite Optavia fuelings like caramel macchiato shake mix or mocha shake mix to add more caffeine and intense flavor.
4. Chai Tea
Drinking herbal tea on Optavia is a great way to cut down on your daily calorie intake.
While I’m not a tea drinker, I like to order Starbucks Chai Tea every now and then.
My tea time ceremony is usually on weekends. That’s when I’m more relaxed and don’t need an extra caffeine kick.
Here’s a photo of the Chai Tea I ordered after Sunday brunch at my local Starbucks in Coral Gables.
Despite having zero sugar and zero calories, it has such an amazing aroma that’s spicy but also fruity.
5. Iced Green Tea
Starbucks has many green tea options like Matcha Tea Latte or Honey Citrus Mint Tea. These, however, have 130 to 240 calories, depending on the size.
I’m talking about plain green tea, with no added sugar.
Here’s the photo.
Drinking iced green tea regularly may help you out with your weight loss goals.
According to the randomized controlled trial published in the Clinical Nutrition Journal, “women who took a high dose of green tea extract lost weight, had a smaller waist, and had lower levels of cholesterol without any problems.”
Starbucks Iced Green Tea has zero calories (6) and has a refreshing burst of flavor, almost similar to herbal lemonade.
6. Espresso Macchiato
When I’m craving something sweet but low in calories to get me through the day, nothing gives me more satisfaction than a Starbucks Espresso Macchiato.
This is a great alternative for people who are doing Optavia yet want to have a similar taste to cappuccino or latte.
One grande Cappuccino has 140 calories (7), whereas one Starbucks grande latte has around 230 calories (8).
(Nope, you won’t see a latte on this Optavia coffee list.)
Espresso Macchiato is like doppio, but it has a drop of steamed milk or creamer. One serving has 15 calories (9).
7. Earl Grey Tea
Earl Grey tea is one of the approved Optavia low-calorie drinks that is incredibly refreshing, yet has no added sugar.
As much as I don’t drink tea every day, I like the citrusy bergamot aroma and rich flavor – something in between an orange and a lemon.
According to the article published in the International Journal of Health Sciences, “Earl Grey tea provides several health benefits as it contains powerful groups of polyphenols.”
Regardless if you choose tall, grande, or venti, Starbucks Earl Grey Tea has zero calories (9).
8. Royal English Breakfast Tea
Another Optavia Approved Starbucks drink is Royal English Breakfast Tea. I recommend this variety to people who prefer black tea over green or herbal blends.
Unlike other teas, this full-bodied blend is made with no sugar and no added calories, so if you’re looking for an all-natural weight loss aid then this could be a great option for you.
This one has mildly sweet notes and zero calories, whenever you want to enjoy it hot or iced.
9. Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew
If you haven’t tried nitro cold brew, you’re in for a treat. The combination of cold brewing and nitro infusion creates a smooth, creamy drink that has just the right balance of its rich flavors.
It has a milder taste with far less acidity than regular cold brew. As soon as it hits your tongue, you’ll be able to tell the difference.
It has a thick and velvety texture, something like a Guinness-style beer with a foamy top. One Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew has 5 calories (10).
What Starbucks Drinks Are Not Allowed On Optavia?
Many of the drinks offered by Starbucks are surprisingly high in calories.
These are the drinks that I stay away from becasue have too much sugar and can hinder my weight loss results.
- Cappuccino
- Lattes
- Mochas
- Hot Chocolates
- Juices
- Steamers
- Coffee Frappuccino
- Cream Cold Brews
What Are The Best Starbucks Drinks For Weight Loss on Optavia?
The optimal Starbucks beverages for weight loss while following the Optavia diet are those that contain 0-5 calories per 12 fl oz and are devoid of sugar, milk, dairy creamers, flavored syrups, or chocolate powders.
These specifications aid in maintaining the fat-burning zone, thus supporting continued weight loss. Specifically, when considering the Optimal Weight 5 and 1 plan, the best Starbucks drinks for weight loss include Caffè Americano and Nitro Cold Brew.
