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

Iced tea and sweet tea differ significantly in calories and sugar content.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Iced tea contains 1 calorie and 0 g of protein, while sweet tea has 35 calories and 0.0 g of protein. Iced tea is lower in calories.

Iced tea and sweet tea are popular beverages, each with distinct nutritional profiles. This comparison highlights their differences in calories, sugar, and other nutrients.

What Is the Difference Between Iced Tea and Sweet Tea?

Iced tea is a chilled beverage made from brewed tea, typically served without added sugars. It is often enjoyed for its refreshing qualities. Sweet tea is a beverage made from brewed tea that is sweetened with sugar, commonly served chilled in various regions, particularly in the southern United States.

Iced Tea vs Sweet Tea: Nutrition Side by Side

The following table presents a side-by-side comparison of iced tea and sweet tea based on their nutritional content.

Nutrient (per 100 g) Iced tea (unsweetened) Sweet tea
Calories 1 kcal 35 kcal
Protein 0 g 0.0 g
Carbs 0.3 g 8.6 g
Sugar 0 g 8.3 g
Fat 0 g 0.1 g
Fiber 0 g 0.1 g
Sodium 3 mg 2 mg

Which Is Better, Iced Tea or Sweet Tea?

For weight loss: Iced tea has 1 calorie per 100 g, while sweet tea has 35 calories. Iced tea is a better option for those looking to reduce calorie intake.

For muscle and protein: Both iced tea and sweet tea contain 0 g of protein per 100 g. Neither beverage is a source of protein.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Iced tea has 0.3 g of carbs and 0 g of sugar, while sweet tea has 8.6 g of carbs and 8.3 g of sugar. Iced tea is lower in both carbs and sugar.

How to Track Iced tea and Sweet tea Accurately

Portion sizes and macros can be easily misjudged, especially with sweetened beverages. 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 and should not be considered medical advice. Always refer to specific dietary needs when choosing beverages. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Both iced tea and sweet tea contain 0 g of protein per 100 g.

Which has fewer calories?

Iced tea has 1 calorie per 100 g, while sweet tea has 35 calories.

What is the sugar content in sweet tea?

Sweet tea contains 8.3 g of sugar per 100 g.

How many carbs are in iced tea?

Iced tea has 0.3 g of carbs per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in sweet tea?

Sweet tea contains 2 mg of sodium per 100 g.

How much fat is in iced tea?

Iced tea has 0 g of fat per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

  • Iced tea has 1 calorie per 100 g.
  • Sweet tea has 35 calories per 100 g.
  • Iced tea contains 0 g of protein.
  • Sweet tea contains 0.0 g of protein.
  • Iced tea has 0.3 g of carbs.
  • Sweet tea has 8.6 g of carbs.

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