Calories In A Soy Milk Latte

Lactose intolerance, dairy allergies and adoption of vegan, or plant-based only, diets lead many consumers to milk alternatives such as soy, almond and rice milks. Soy milk has become the most mainstream in the United States, and it is available at most coffee shops in place of dairy milk. At home, you can use plain full-fat or nonfat soy milk to make a latte, but the coffee shop on the corner is probably using the vanilla version.

What is Soy Milk?

Soy milk is created by soaking soybeans, grinding them and straining the liquid out. The fluid that strains out is what is used for soy milk. Generally, this creates a liquid with a bean flavor. Most soy milks bought in stores, however, contain thickening agents and flavors, giving it a creamy texture and eliminating any strong bean tastes.

Calories in a Soy Milk Latte

The soy milk latte is an espresso drink found at coffee shops. A cafe latte contains steamed milk and espresso, often with a layer of milk foam on top. Although its calorie amount may vary depending on the brand of soy milk used, a 12-oz soy latte made with vanilla soy milk contains approximately 130 calories. A 16-oz latte with vanilla soy has 170 calories, and a large, 20-oz drink contains 220 calories. Most of the drinks' calories are from the soy milk. A shot of espresso contains only 5 calories.

Nutrients in a Soy Latte

When ordered without sweeteners, a latte made with vanilla soy milk is a fairly healthy option. A medium 16-oz soy latte with vanilla soy milk contains 40 percent of the recommended daily value of calcium, 15 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin A and 8 percent of the recommended daily value of iron. The 16-oz drink also contains 9 grams of protein.

Health Benefits of Soy

The results of a population-based study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2009 show soy food intake is associated with lower mortality and recurrence among breast cancer patients. Among those breast cancer patients who consumed moderate to high amounts of soy products, including soy milk, tofu and edamame, the study reported a 32 percent lower risk of cancer recurrence and a 29 percent decreased risk of death compared to women in the study who consumed little or no soy products.

In a different study, completed in 2007, participants drank either soy milk or low-fat dairy milk for four-week phases. The study results show a 25 g dose of daily soy protein from soy milk led to 5 percent lower LDL cholesterol levels relative to dairy milk.

Other Soy Products

In addition to soy milk, you may also find soy in tofu, fake meat products, soy yogurt, soy cheese and soy ice cream. Soy protein is also commonly used as a weight-loss or bodybuilding supplement in bars or shakes.