Iced Tea vs Lemonade: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Iced tea has 1 calorie and 0 g of protein, while lemonade has 40 calories and 0.1 g of protein. Therefore, iced tea is lower in calories and slightly lower in protein.

Iced tea and lemonade are two refreshing beverages enjoyed by many. Each offers a unique taste and nutritional profile, making them suitable for different occasions.

What Is the Difference Between Iced Tea and Lemonade?

Iced tea is a chilled beverage made from brewed tea, often served sweetened or unsweetened. It is typically low in calories and can be flavored with various fruits or herbs. Lemonade is a sweetened beverage made from lemon juice, water, and sugar. It is known for its tart flavor and is often enjoyed as a refreshing drink, especially in warm weather.

Iced Tea vs Lemonade: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of iced tea and lemonade, highlighting their nutritional differences.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Iced tea (unsweetened)	Lemonade
Calories	1 kcal	40 kcal
Protein	0 g	0.1 g
Carbs	0.3 g	10.4 g
Sugar	0 g	10.0 g
Fat	0 g	0.0 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	3 mg	4 mg

Which Is Better, Iced Tea or Lemonade?

For weight loss: Iced tea has 1 calorie, while lemonade has 40 calories. Therefore, iced tea is a better option for weight loss.

For muscle and protein: Iced tea contains 0 g of protein, while lemonade has 0.1 g of protein. Thus, lemonade is slightly higher in protein.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Iced tea has 0.3 g of carbs and 0 g of sugar, while lemonade has 10.4 g of carbs and 10.0 g of sugar. Iced tea is lower in both carbs and sugar.

How to Track Iced tea and Lemonade Accurately

Portion sizes and macros can often be misjudged, leading to unexpected calorie intake. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which beverage has fewer calories?

Iced tea has 1 calorie, while lemonade has 40 calories. Therefore, iced tea has fewer calories.

Which beverage has more protein?

Iced tea has 0 g of protein, while lemonade has 0.1 g of protein. Lemonade has more protein.

How many carbohydrates are in iced tea?

Iced tea contains 0.3 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

How much sugar is in lemonade?

Lemonade contains 10.0 g of sugar per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in iced tea?

Iced tea has 3 mg of sodium per 100 g.

What is the fat content in lemonade?

Lemonade contains 0.0 g of fat per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Iced tea has 1 calorie per 100 g.
• Lemonade has 40 calories per 100 g.
• Iced tea contains 0 g of protein.
• Lemonade contains 0.1 g of protein.
• Iced tea has 0.3 g of carbohydrates.
• Lemonade has 10.4 g of carbohydrates.