A chai latte is a creamy hot or cold drink made from chai tea, milk or a milk substitute and a sweetener. The beverage tastes decadent and rich, but it isn't necessarily fattening. It may even be beneficial for weight loss, if that is your goal. A single chai latte is high in protein and calcium with a modest number of calories
Ingredients in a Chai Latte
To determine whether or not a chai latte is fattening, you need to take a look at what is in your latte. A chai latte consists of sweetened chai tea, usually mixed in equal portions with milk or a milk substitute. The chai part of the drink is made from tea with traditional Indian spices, such as cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper and star anise. Sugar or honey may be used to sweeten the latte and you may top it off with whipped cream. Your choice of milk and sweetener and whether you add whipped cream will determine whether the latte is fattening. Portion size is important, too. You'll get more calories in a large latte than in a small one.
Nutritional Overview
The chai part of the latte does not contribute any calories, protein, carbohydrates, fats or vitamins. Chai is, however, rich in antioxidants and other compounds which may confer health benefits. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, one of the benefits of tea is that it may help to burn fat and aid in weight loss. While a chai latte contains calories and may contain fat, it also offers protein, calcium, vitamin A and iron. The amount of caffeine in a chai latte varies, but a typical latte contains about 100 mg of caffeine per 16 oz. serving. Caffeine acts as a stimulant, which may help to burn fat. Decaffeinated chai lattes are available too.
Sweeteners
The sweetener is already added to most chai latte concentrates or lattes you order at a restaurant, but if you are making a chai latte at home, you can control these calories. No-calorie or low-calorie sweeteners add negligible calories to the latte. According to the USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory, sugar adds 16 calories and 4.2 g of carbohydrates per 1 tsp. serving, while honey adds 64 calories and 17.3 g of carbohydrates per 1 tbsp. serving. If you top your chai latte with pressurized canned whipped cream, you'll add 8 calories per 1 tbsp., with 0.67 g fat and 0.37 g carbohydrates.
Milk and Milk Substitutes
Half of a latte is the milk or milk substitute, so your choice significantly affects the calories and fat content of the drink. The milk also adds nutrients to the latte. A typical 16 oz. chai latte made using nonfat milk contains 200 calories, with no fat, 8 g protein, 44 g carbohydrates, 8 percent the daily value of vitamin A, 25 percent of the daily value for calcium and 2 percent of the daily value of iron. If the chai latte is made using whole milk you'll get 260 calories and 7 g fat, 7 g protein, 43 g carbohydrates, 4 percent the daily value of vitamin A, 25 percent of the daily value of calcium and 2 percent of the daily value of iron. A 16 oz. chai latte made with soy milk has 230 calories, 3 g fat, 5 g protein, 47 g carbohydrates, 8 percent of the daily value of vitamin A, 25 percent of the daily value of calcium and 6 percent of the recommended amount of iron.
Member Comments