When you're on the go and need a quick caffeine fix, canned coffee can be a convenient choice, whether you pick one up at the gas station or keep a stash at home. However, with so many options available, it can be challenging to distinguish between healthy canned coffees and those that are more like dessert than a morning pick-me-up.

While coffee itself is virtually calorie-free and contains no fat, carbs, or protein, many canned coffees have added ingredients to enhance flavor, such as sugar, milk, flavors, and various additives. Whether you're seeking a low-calorie option, a coffee with added protein, or a straightforward ingredient list, we’ve rounded up the best choices that balance flavor and nutrition. Additionally, to help you avoid canned coffees that are more sugar than coffee, we’ve highlighted four of the worst options you might want to avoid.

How We Chose the Healthiest Canned Coffees:

To select the healthiest canned coffees, we considered the following factors:

Sugar Content: Many flavored coffees contain added sugars, with some having as much as a can of soda—far more than you'd expect in a coffee. We aimed to keep our picks at under 15% of the recommended daily value for added sugars per serving. Note that some higher-sugar options come in larger servings, so check the serving size on the nutrition label.

Added Health Benefits: While the primary reason for grabbing a can of coffee is usually a caffeine boost, some brands offer additional benefits such as protein, vitamins, minerals, and adaptogens to enhance your overall well-being and help meet your nutrition needs.

Dietary Needs: We included options that cater to various dietary restrictions, including vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, decaf, and soy-free, ensuring that everyone can find a canned coffee that suits their needs.

Explorer Cold Brew

Nutrition (Per 12 fl oz serving):

  • Calories: 0
  • Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
  • Sodium: 0 mg
  • Carbs: 0 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
  • Protein: 0 g

Explorer Cold Brew is a ready-to-drink black coffee tailored for caffeine-sensitive individuals. It contains only two ingredients: filtered water and organic coffee. You can choose from full-strength with 180 milligrams of caffeine per can, half-caff with 65 milligrams of caffeine, or decaf, which is 99.9% caffeine-free.

Pop & Bottle Vanilla Cold Brew

Nutrition (Per 8 fl oz serving):

  • Calories: 100
  • Fat: 2.5 g (Saturated Fat: 1.5 g)
  • Sodium: 65 mg
  • Carbs: 16 g (Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 8 g)
  • Protein: 5 g

Pop & Bottle Vanilla Cold Brew offers a flavorful coffee experience with added nutritional benefits. Made with oat milk and naturally sweetened with dates, it provides 16 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, and 8 grams of sugar, all without added sugars. This dairy-free latte also includes 5 grams of protein from 3,000 milligrams of marine collagen. Research suggests that marine collagen can support skin and bone health, making this drink both delicious and beneficial.

Taika Black Coffee

Nutrition (Per 8.4 fl oz serving):

  • Calories: 10
  • Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
  • Sodium: 0 mg
  • Carbs: 3 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
  • Protein: 0 g

Taika black coffee contains just three ingredients: cold brewed coffee, Himalayan pink salt, and the Taika Creative Blend. With only 10 calories and 3 grams of carbohydrates, and no added sugars, it offers a light and refreshing way to enjoy your daily caffeine fix. What sets this canned coffee apart is the Taika Creative Blend, which includes theanine, ashwagandha, and lion's mane—ingredients designed to enhance alertness and focus while promoting a sense of calm.

La Colombe Vanilla Draft Latte

Nutrition (Per 9 fl oz serving):

  • Calories: 110
  • Fat: 3.5 g (Saturated Fat: 2 g)
  • Sodium: 110 mg
  • Carbs: 15 g (Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 9 g)
  • Protein: 6 g

La Colombe Vanilla Draft Latte offers a delicious flavor and creamy texture with just a few key ingredients. Reduced-fat milk contributes 3.5 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein, helping you stay satisfied. The addition of lactase enzyme makes it suitable for those with lactose intolerance.

Nitrous oxide and acacia give the coffee a rich, creamy texture without actual cream, reducing calories and saturated fat. Each serving provides 5 grams of fiber, or 18% of the recommended daily value (DV), and is sweetened with real cane sugar, containing 6 grams of added sugars—enough to satisfy your sweet tooth without excess.

Rise Nitro Cold Brew Coffee

Nutrition (Per 7 fl oz serving):

  • Calories: 10
  • Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
  • Sodium: 15 mg
  • Carbs: 2 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
  • Protein: <1 g

Rise Nitro Cold Brew Coffee features just coffee, water, and a nitrogen infusion, offering a smooth, rich taste without creams, sugars, or additives. The nitrogen infusion provides a frothy texture and a subtly sweet flavor, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy black coffee but still desire a hint of creaminess.

Super Coffee Vanilla Super Espresso

Nutrition (Per 11-ounce serving):

  • Calories: 90
  • Fat: 2.5 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
  • Sodium: 10 mg
  • Carbs: 5 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 6 g)
  • Protein: 6 g

Super Coffee Vanilla Super Espresso contains 150 milligrams of caffeine, with no added sugars and just 90 calories per 11-ounce can. It’s sweetened with sucralose, providing sweetness without affecting blood sugar levels, and features a natural, subtle vanilla flavor.

High Brew Coffee + Protein Creamy Cappuccino

Nutrition (Per 8 fl oz serving):

  • Calories: 120
  • Fat: 1.5 g (Saturated Fat: 1 g)
  • Sodium: 130 mg
  • Carbs: 16 g (Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 11 g)
  • Protein: 12 g

While coffee alone doesn't count as breakfast, High Brew Coffee + Protein Creamy Cappuccino provides a nutritious boost for those busy mornings. With 12 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber, it helps keep you full and satisfied, especially when paired with breakfast or a mid-morning snack. Containing just 6 grams of added sugars and 25% of your daily value of calcium, this canned coffee is both delicious and beneficial.

Slate Milk Mocha Latte

Nutrition (Per 11-ounce serving):

  • Calories: 110
  • Fat: 0.5 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Carbs: 5 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 1 g)
  • Protein: 20 g

Slate Milk Mocha Latte combines the benefits of a protein shake with the rich flavor of coffee and cocoa. Each can provides 20 grams of protein from ultra-filtered milk, along with 25% of your daily value (DV) of vitamin D, 40% DV of calcium, and 25% DV of vitamin A for a significant nutrient boost. With 175 milligrams of caffeine to kickstart your day, the mocha flavor comes from cocoa, and the sweetness is enhanced by monk fruit and stevia. Each 11-ounce can contains only 5 grams of carbohydrates and no added sugars.

Loco Honey Vanilla Cold Brew Coffee with Oatmilk

Nutrition (Per 11-ounce serving):

  • Calories: 90
  • Fat: 2 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
  • Sodium: 30 mg
  • Carbs: 16 g (Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 10 g)
  • Protein: 1 g

Loco Honey Vanilla Cold Brew incorporates coconut water to provide electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals, along with a natural sweetness that reduces the need for added sugars. Each can contains 180 milligrams of caffeine, 10% of the daily value (DV) of potassium, and just 4 grams of added sugars. With oat milk contributing to its creamy texture, this coffee drink is also dairy-free.

Sail Away Nitro Cold Brew Coffee (Touch of Sweet)

Nutrition (Per 11.5 fl oz serving):

  • Calories: 30
  • Fat: 0 g (Saturated Fat: 0 g)
  • Sodium: 0 mg
  • Carbs: 7 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 7 g)
  • Protein: 0 g

Sail Away Nitro Cold Brew Coffee (Touch of Sweet) features 7 grams of cane sugar added to nitrogen-infused coffee. The nitrogen infusion creates a velvety, creamy texture without dairy or thickeners. With three shots of espresso delivering 220 milligrams of caffeine, this vegan, gluten-free, and organic coffee drink provides a refreshing wake-up call in a can.

4 Unhealthy Canned Coffee Drinks to Skip

Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino Coffee Drink

Nutrition (Per 13.7 fl oz serving):

  • Calories: 270
  • Fat: 4.5 g (Saturated Fat: 3 g)
  • Sodium: 140 mg
  • Carbs: 48 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 46 g)
  • Protein: 10 g

Starbucks' Mocha Frappuccino Coffee Drink is a creamy, sweet treat that packs more than half of your daily recommended added sugars in one serving. With 32 grams of added sugars, it provides a quick energy boost but may be followed by a sugar crash.

Victor Allen's Vanilla Iced Coffee Latte

Nutrition (Per 8 fl oz serving):

  • Calories: 140
  • Fat: 3.5 g (Saturated Fat: 2.5 g)
  • Sodium: 90 mg
  • Carbs: 25 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 22 g)
  • Protein: 3 g

Victor Allen's Vanilla Latte drinks are high in sugar, with 18 grams of added sugars per can, which accounts for 36% of the daily recommended limit of 50 grams. If you choose to enjoy one of these, be mindful of your sugar intake for the rest of the day.

Happy Caramel Latte

Nutrition (Per 11-ounce serving):

  • Calories: 230
  • Fat: 4 g (Saturated Fat: 2.5 g)
  • Sodium: 170 mg
  • Carbs: 41 g (Fiber: <1 g, Sugar: 39 g)
  • Protein: 7 g

Happy Caramel Latte is free from artificial sweeteners and flavors, but each can contains a significant 28 grams of added sugars—56% of the daily recommended limit for added sugars.

International Delight Caramel Macchiato Iced Coffee

Nutrition (Per 15 fl oz serving):

  • Calories: 220
  • Fat: 5 g (Saturated Fat: 3 g)
  • Sodium: 130 mg
  • Carbs: 39 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 35 g)
  • Protein: 5 g

International Delight Caramel Macchiato Iced Coffee, known for its rich coffee creamers, enters the canned coffee market with a high sugar content. Each can contains 35 grams of sugar, making up 56% of the recommended daily limit for added sugars. Despite being made with "real milk and cream," it's one of the less healthy options available.

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