By Lew Kizer — 2026-10-24 — Health & Nutrition
The short answer
A Tufts University study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in October 2026 analyzed NHANES data from about 30,000 U.S. adults and found coffee calories rose from 43 to 60 a day between 2003 and 2018, nearly 40%, while coffee volume stayed about 13 ounces. Non-dairy creamer drove the rise, contributing 18.5 calories a day by 2018, more than sugar (16) or milk (11).
Key facts
- Data: NHANES 2003 to 2018, about 30,000 adults 20 and older.
- Coffee volume stayed about 13 oz a day.
- Coffee calories rose from 43 to 60 kcal a day.
- Non-dairy creamer rose from 7.71 to 18.5 kcal a day.
- In 2018: creamer 18.5 kcal, sugar 16 kcal, dairy milk 11 kcal.
- People who slept less or worked longer hours drank more coffee.
KINGSPORT, Tenn., Oct. 24, 2026 — Americans are not drinking more coffee. They are drinking richer coffee.
What changed
| Measure | 2003 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee calories per day | 43 | 60 |
| Non-dairy creamer calories | 7.71 | 18.5 |
| Non-dairy creamer amount | 3.37 g | 8 g |
| Coffee volume | About 13 oz | About 13 oz |
Sugar (16 calories) and dairy milk (11 calories) did not change significantly. Non-dairy milks also grew, from 0.27 to 2.45 grams a day.
“Non-dairy creamers can be high in saturated fat, which is calorie dense.” — Yongyi Pan, lead author, Tufts University
Limits of the data
The study relied on 24-hour dietary recalls and estimated ingredients in pre-mixed drinks. The data end in 2018, so they do not capture any changes in the years since.
A lighter cup
Our new coffee creamer guide compares common add-ins and easy swaps.
“There's never a question. There's never a worry. We want people to have good, delicious, nutritious, macro-counted food — and none of the guesswork.” — Lew Kizer, Founder, SmashMeals
Commentary, not medical advice
The SmashMeals perspective
Seventeen calories a day does not sound like much, but it is a cup of coffee every morning for years. The bigger lesson is that the extras add up quietly, in coffee and everywhere else. That is why we post nutrition for every meal: you should be able to see what you are getting without doing math at 6 a.m.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in coffee with creamer?
In the Tufts analysis, the average U.S. coffee drinker's coffee provided about 60 calories a day in 2018, with non-dairy creamer contributing 18.5 calories.
Is non-dairy creamer worse than sugar?
In this study, creamer added more calories than sugar on average. The researchers note many non-dairy creamers are high in saturated fat. Check the label of the one you use.
Did Americans drink more coffee over time?
No. Volume stayed about 13 ounces a day from 2003 to 2018; calories rose because of what people added.
Sources and credits
Follow the original sources for context and verification. A reference is not an endorsement of SmashMeals.
- Coffee calories have jumped nearly 40%. Sugar isn't the biggest culprit (opens in a new tab)
ScienceDaily (Tufts University)
Why it matters: Summary of findings and researcher quotes.
- Trends in the consumption of coffee and coffee additions among U.S. adults (DOI 10.1016/j.jand.2026.156908) (opens in a new tab)
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Why it matters: The peer-reviewed study.