Jupiter Images By Brierley Wright, M.S., R.D., Nutrition Editor, Eating Well

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 can't help but wonder what the calorie damage is on some of those iced coffee or frozen coffee drinks, especially at popular restaurants like McDonald's, Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts. Milkshake-thick coffee goodness + whipped cream + chocolate drizzle = diet derailer.

I investigated, and below is a look at how 16-ounce frozen coffee drinks stack up nutritionally at three of the most popular fast food restaurants -- McDonald's, Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts -- plus some tips on how to order healthier sips.

The Healthiest Choice: As a nutritionist, I'd 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.

See the Coffees


3 Iced Coffees




What's your favorite iced coffee or frozen coffee drink-and how do you order it so it's lighter?



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Brierley Wright Brierley's interest in nutrition and food come together in her position as nutrition editor at EatingWell. Brierley holds a master's degree in Nutrition Communication from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. A Registered Dietitian, she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Vermont.


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