Diet Drinks at Dunkin Donuts
Danielle Occhiogrosso
When I think Dunkin', I think hot chocolate and Munchkins. Delicious? Yes. The picture of health? Not so much. Though sometimes your heart just needs a frozen coffee with whipped cream, rest assured that there are better-for-you drinks on Dunkin's menu for when you just need something to sip on on your way to work.
Unsurprisingly, no, you can't really go wrong with black coffee and unsweetened tea, but those aren't your only options the next time you hit up the DD drive-thru. Generally, though, your goal is to minimize added sugars, calories and fat, says dietitian and trainer Jenna Appel, MS, RD, LDN, CPT. Her advice: "Opt for no sugar, choose reduced-fat milk, and stick to a size small." Oh, and skip anything involving syrups and swirls.
"Many excess calories in the diet come from the beverages we are consuming," Appel says. Keep an eye on the calorie counts listed on Dunkin's menu and keep your order as plain as possible. (Seriously, if you want a little sweetener, just add it yourself. Once I asked for sugar in my cold brew and they gave me three of them.)
Bleak as this all might sound, I promise you can still enjoy your Dunkin' runs. In fact, you've got a whopping 30 pretty-good-for-you drink orders to choose from.
Courtesy of Dunkin'
1 of 30
Americano
Made by combining hot water and espresso, a cozy Americano is a safe bet at Dunkin', according to Gabrielle Mancella, MS, RD, LDN, corporate wellness dietitian with Orlando Health.
Courtesy of Dunkin'
2 of 30
Breakfast Black Tea
A calorie-free option, "black tea contains antioxidant properties that may help decrease the risk of chronic disease and improve your overall health," Appel says.
Courtesy of Dunkin'
3 of 30
Hot Cappuccino
Froth fans, you can keep your cappuccinos. Just order yours with skim milk to get a dose of calcium without downing extra fat, says Mancella. And skip the syrups, por favor.
Courtesy of Dunkin
4 of 30
Modified Dunkaccino
If you love, love, love yourself a Dunkaccino or Hot Chocolate from DD, here's your move: Order a small Dunkaccino and ask if you can have half Dunkaccino, half plain black coffee. This way, you can indulge while keeping added sugar around 15ish grams.
Courtesy of Dunkin'
5 of 30
Black Cold Brew Coffee
Unless you're sensitive to caffeine or acidity, you can't go wrong with a black cold brew, says Mancella.
Courtesy of Dunkin
6 of 30
Cold Brew Coffee With Milk
A splash of skim or almond milk in your cold brew will make it creamy (and even smoother) without driving up calories too much, Mancella says.
Dunkin via Instagram
7 of 30
Hot Black Dark Roast Coffee
Love that deep, earthy coffee flavor and don't want to overdo it on the caffeine? Opt for a black dark roast coffee and breathe in the goodness.
Courtesy of Dunkin'
8 of 30
Berry Hibiscus Iced Tea
This flowery tea (available in certain parts of the U.S.) is rich in antioxidants, says Appel. Just opt for the unsweetened version; it offers plenty of fruity flavor on its own.
Courtesy of Dunkin'
9 of 30
Hot Black Coffee
Along with the Hot Americano, this is pretty much the cleanest hot coffee drink you can order at DD, says Mancella.
Courtesy of Dunkin
10 of 30
Hot Coffee With Milk
Whether you opt for skim milk or almond milk, keep any sweeteners in your hot cup of Joe as minimal as possible, recommends Appel.
Dunkin via Instagram
11 of 30
Iced Dark Roast Coffee
Prefer your dark roast iced? Just keep it black to keep that rich coffee flavor unadulterated (and zero calories).
Courtesy of Dunkin'
12 of 30
Hot Black Espresso
When you need a quick jolt of energy, down your espresso black, says Mancella. That way, it's calorie-free.
Courtesy of Dunkin'
13 of 30
Hot Latte With Milk
If you like your coffee to be, well, more milk than coffee, order a sweetener-free latte with your choice of milk, says Mancella. Skim contains the least fat of your dairy options, and while you can also opt for almond milk, it'll be less rich.
Courtesy of Dunkin'
14 of 30
Black Iced Americano
If you like fresh espresso over typical coffee, swap a black iced coffee for a black Iced Americano.
Courtesy of Dunkin'
15 of 30
Iced Cappuccino with Milk
Order your Iced Cappuccino with skim to load up on dairy's calcium for fewer calories (and less fat) than with whole milk, Appel suggests.
@tony_donuts via Instagram
16 of 30
Harmony Leaf Green Tea
This simple green tea is about as pure as it gets, says Mancella. Look out for that classic earthy, slightly-bitter flavor.
Courtesy of Dunkin'
17 of 30
Black Iced Coffee
You already know you can't go wrong with this one, right? (Just in case, Appel confirms it's the move—especially when you need a pick-me-up.)
Courtesy of Dunkin'
18 of 30
Iced Coffee With Milk
If skim isn't for you, order your iced java with almond milk, suggests Appel. Though lower in protein than cow's milk, it's a good source of potassium and low in calories and fat.
Courtesy of Dunkin'
19 of 30
Iced Latte
Order your latte with skim or almond milk to keep calories reasonable, recommends Appel. If you like your latte sweet, rest assured that the almond milk provides enough sweetness to satisfy.
Dunkin via Instagram
20 of 30
Hot Latte With Almond Milk
Craving a sweet latte? Skip the syrups and order yours with almond milk. DD's sweetened nut milk will satisfy your cravings without pushing you over the added sugar edge. (A medium contains 10 grams of sugar.)
Courtesy of Dunkin'
21 of 30
Unsweetened Iced Green Tea
Considering a medium Sweetened Iced Green Tea packs 25 percent more calories and sugar, it's worth opting for the unsweetened stuff, says Mancella. Thanks to green tea's antioxidants, this might just be the healthiest drink on the menu.
Courtesy of Dunkin'
22 of 30
Iced Macchiato With Milk
Made with espresso and a milk of your choice, macchiatos taste fresh and satisfying—and low in carbs and sugar, if you skip the sweeteners, says Mancella.
@chubbiestmermaid via Instagram
23 of 30
Chamomile Fields Herbal Infusion Tea
According to Appel, chamomile contains an antioxidant called apigenin that can help you sleep better. (Keep this in mind for evening Dunkin' runs.)
Courtesy of Dunkin'
24 of 30
Unsweetened Iced Tea
Not a coffee fan but need a little boost? The Unsweetened Iced Tea provides about as much caffeine for zero calories, says Mancella.
Courtesy of Dunkin'
25 of 30
Cafe Au Lait
Available at select DD locations, the Cafe au Lait combines steamed milk with dark roast coffee. Consider it a cousin to your usual latte, and (you know the drill) stick to skim or almond milk and say no to sweeteners.
Courtesy of Dunkin'
26 of 30
Cold Brew Latte
If a splash of milk in your cold brew isn't enough, order this Cold Brew Latte (available at select Dunkin' locations) with skim or almond milk and sip away.
@amandaa218 via Instagram
27 of 30
Cool Mint Herbal Infusion Tea
Scarfed down one too many Munchkins? "Mint tea can relieve indigestion," says Appel. "Its cooling menthol relaxes intestinal muscles and produces bile, so food is digested more quickly."
Dunkin' via Instagram
28 of 30
Unsweetened Flavored Coffee
Although Almond Joy Coffee is no longer available at DD, you can still add flavor to your coffee order without all the sugar and calories by opting for an unsweetened flavor shot. From French Vanilla to Toasted Almond, you've got plenty of options.
Courtesy of Dunkin
29 of 30
Iced Cafe Au Lait
Dark roast plus your favorite milk equals the up-and-coming Iced Cafe au Lait. Keep it unsweetened; it's creamy and loaded with coffee flavor as is.
Courtesy of Dunkin' via Instagram
30 of 30
Unsweetened Iced Raspberry Tea
If you need a little extra flavor in your iced tea, Mancella recommends opting for the unsweetened raspberry variety. Drink it as is, or add as little natural sugar as possible, she says.
Source: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/g30391312/healthiest-dunkin-drinks/