A glass of sweet tea has around 192 calories! Sweet tea is a popular beverage in the southern United States, but its popularity has spread all over the world due to its refreshing taste. Sweet tea is made by brewing black tea, then adding sugar or other sweeteners to taste. The calorie content of sweet tea depends on the amount of sugar added, the type of tea used, and the serving size.
Calories in Sweet Tea with Sugar
Adding sugar to sweet tea can increase the calorie content significantly. One tablespoon of sugar contains approximately 48 calories. If you add three tablespoons of sugar to a 16-ounce glass of sweet tea, you’ll be consuming around 192 calories. If you add more or less sugar, the calorie content will vary accordingly.
Calories in Unsweetened Sweet Tea
If you prefer your sweet tea without sugar, it will have very few calories. Unsweetened tea itself contains less than 5 calories per 8-ounce serving. Therefore, if you are trying to cut down on calories, it is best to avoid adding sugar or other sweeteners to your tea. You can also use artificial sweeteners, such as stevia or sucralose, to sweeten your tea without adding calories.
Calories in Different Types of Tea
The type of tea used to make sweet tea can also affect its calorie content. Black tea is the most commonly used tea for making sweet tea, but other types of tea, such as green tea, can also be used. Green tea has fewer calories than black tea because it is not fermented. A cup of brewed green tea contains approximately 2 calories.
Serving Size Matters
The amount of sweet tea you consume also affects the calorie content. A standard serving size for sweet tea is 8 ounces, but many people consume much larger servings. A 16-ounce glass of sweet tea contains double the calories of an 8-ounce serving, while a 32-ounce glass contains four times the calories. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye on the serving size when drinking sweet tea.
Conclusion
Sweet tea is a delicious beverage that can be enjoyed in moderation. However, its calorie content can add up quickly, especially if you add sugar or other sweeteners to your tea. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of the serving size and the amount of sugar added to your tea. If you are trying to cut down on calories, it is best to enjoy unsweetened tea or use artificial sweeteners to sweeten your tea without adding calories.
