A Look at Nutrition: Does Lipton tea have any calories?

October 8, 2025 •

3 min read

Plain, unsweetened tea is virtually calorie-free, with a standard 8-ounce cup containing fewer than 2 calories. This fact is a major consideration for anyone managing their nutrition, leading to a crucial question for many: Does Lipton tea have any calories? The answer depends entirely on the type and how you prepare it.

Quick Summary

Pure, unsweetened Lipton teas like black or green varieties contain negligible calories, but the addition of sweeteners and milk significantly increases the total. Sweetened Lipton iced teas, for example, have substantial calories and sugar. Opting for unsweetened options is a simple way to enjoy flavor without compromising dietary goals.

Key Points

Plain Tea is Calorie-Free: Unsweetened Lipton teas, both black and green, contain virtually no calories when prepared with plain water.
Additives Add Calories: The calories in your tea come from additions like sugar, honey, or milk, not the tea leaves themselves.
Sweetened Iced Tea is Not Calorie-Free: Ready-to-drink sweetened Lipton iced teas have significant calories due to added sugar.
A Tool for Weight Management: Unsweetened tea can help with weight control by serving as a zero-calorie substitute for sugary beverages.
Read Labels Carefully: Always check the nutritional information on pre-packaged tea products, especially iced teas and mixes, to understand their calorie and sugar content.

The Core of the Matter: Tea's Negligible Calorie Count

For most, a cup of tea is a comforting and hydrating staple. The base ingredient, the tea leaf from the Camellia sinensis plant, contains minimal calories. When brewed with plain water, the resulting beverage is largely water-based with only trace amounts of carbohydrates. Both unsweetened Lipton green tea and black tea bags yield a drink with virtually zero calories. This inherent quality makes pure, unsweetened tea an excellent choice for those on a calorie-controlled diet or simply looking for a healthy, flavored alternative to water. The natural antioxidants and flavonoids present in tea are a bonus, offering potential health benefits without a caloric penalty.

How Additives Transform Your Cup

The most significant factor in a cup of tea's calorie content isn't the tea leaf itself, but what is added to it. Many people prefer their tea sweetened or with milk, and each addition contributes calories:

Sugar: A single teaspoon of sugar can add approximately 16 calories. For those who use more, the calories can quickly add up, turning a zero-calorie drink into a moderate-calorie one.
Honey: Similarly, honey is a concentrated source of sugar, with a tablespoon adding around 64 calories.
Milk or Cream: The calories from milk depend on the fat content. While a cup of tea with skimmed milk adds fewer calories, whole milk adds substantially more due to its fat content. Some estimates place a single cup of tea with milk and sugar around 60-70 calories, depending on portion sizes.

Breaking Down Lipton Products

Lipton offers a wide range of products, and their calorie content varies significantly. For optimal health and nutrition, it's essential to be a label-reader.

Lipton Unsweetened Teas

This category includes standard tea bags, whether black or green. The key takeaway is that when prepared with hot water and served plain, these options are calorie-free. For example, Lipton's Signature Blend Green Tea is listed as having 0 calories and 0g of added sugars per serving. The same is true for the standard Yellow Label Black Tea bags. These are ideal for a low-calorie diet, providing flavor and hydration without the added sugars found in many other beverages.

Lipton Sweetened Iced Teas

This is where the caloric content changes drastically. Ready-to-drink and powdered iced tea mixes are often loaded with added sugar. For instance, Lipton Sweet Iced Tea contains significant calories from sugar, which is added for flavor. A 16-ounce serving of a sweetened iced tea can contain over 100 calories. It is crucial for those watching their sugar and calorie intake to read the nutritional information on these products carefully.

A Comparative Look at Tea Calories

To illustrate the impact of different preparations, consider this comparison:


Item	Approx. Calories (per 8oz/240ml)	Key Calorie Source
Lipton Unsweetened Tea (Black or Green)	0-2	None
Plain Tea with 1 tsp Sugar	~16-20	Sugar
Tea with Milk and 1 tsp Sugar	~60-70	Milk, Sugar
Lipton Sweetened Iced Tea	~140-190	Sugar

Unsweetened Lipton Tea and Weight Management

Incorporating unsweetened Lipton tea into a weight management plan can be beneficial. It serves as a satisfying, zero-calorie replacement for high-sugar alternatives like soda or sweetened juice. For those who enjoy flavored drinks but want to reduce their caloric intake, a plain tea is a simple and effective swap. While some studies suggest a link between green tea's antioxidants (like EGCG) and a modest increase in metabolism, it's not a magic solution for weight loss. Instead, its main role is as part of a balanced diet and regular exercise routine. Drinking unsweetened tea contributes to overall hydration, which is essential for proper bodily function and a healthy metabolism.

Conclusion: Making Informed Choices

In conclusion, the calorie count of Lipton tea depends entirely on the product and how it's prepared. If you stick to the plain, unsweetened varieties, whether black or green, your cup will have a negligible calorie count, making it a diet-friendly beverage. However, as soon as you start adding ingredients like sugar, honey, or milk, the calories increase significantly. For those managing their weight or simply aiming for a healthier diet, choosing unsweetened options or moderating additives is the most effective approach. For those who can't go without flavor, adding a zero-calorie natural sweetener like stevia is an alternative. By understanding the sources of calories in your tea, you can enjoy this popular beverage guilt-free while staying on track with your nutritional goals.

Lipton Canada: Love Your Heart With Lipton Tea

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, unsweetened Lipton black and green tea bags contain virtually no calories when brewed with plain water. The calories come from whatever you add, such as sugar or milk.

The calories in Lipton iced tea depend on whether it's sweetened. Sweetened Lipton iced teas, whether bottled or from a powdered mix, contain significant calories from added sugar, whereas unsweetened versions are calorie-free.

Plain, unsweetened Lipton Yellow Label black tea, prepared from a tea bag with water, is a negligible-calorie beverage, with about 2 calories per cup.

To reduce calories, drink your Lipton tea unsweetened and without milk. If you need a sweetener, use a zero-calorie option like stevia instead of sugar or honey.

Lipton green tea can support weight loss efforts primarily by acting as a zero-calorie replacement for high-sugar drinks. While its antioxidants may offer minor metabolic benefits, it is not a magic solution and should be part of a balanced diet and exercise plan.

Yes, adding milk or cream will add calories to your Lipton tea. The amount depends on the type of milk (whole vs. skim) and the amount used.

Unsweetened flavored Lipton teas, like the Lemon Ginseng Green Tea, have zero calories and no added sugar. Always check the nutrition label to be certain, especially with pre-mixed iced tea products.