How Much Sugar Is In A McDonald’s Sweet Tea?
McDonald’s sweet tea is one of the most popular beverages on the fast food chain’s menu. But how much sugar is in a McDonald’s sweet tea? The answer may surprise you.
What’s The Sipulation Of McDonald’s Sweet Tea?
McDonald’s sweet tea is made with brewed black tea, lemon juice, and sugar. When mixed together, the specific proportions of ingredients are:
- Black Tea: 8 bags Camomile Tea or Tetley Decaffeinated
- Sugar: 8 tablespoons or 1 cup of granulated sugar
- Lemon Juice: 5 ounces
How Much Sugar Is In A McDonald’s Sweet Tea?
Based on these measurements, a large (21 oz) McDonald’s sweet tea contains roughly 42.5 grams of sugar. That’s the equivalent of 10.6 teaspoons or 3.5 tablespoons of sugar. Even their medium (16 oz) cup contains 33.6 grams of sugar, or 8.4 teaspoons, making it not much better than the large size.
Are There Healthier Options Available?
If you’re looking for a healthier option, McDonald’s recently introduced a zero-calorie sweet tea. This drink uses a sugar substitute, such as stevia, to sweeten the tea. A large cup still contains some sugar, at 16.5 grams, but it’s a much better option than the full-sugar version. You can also opt for their regular unsweetened tea and sweeten it with packets of sugar or sugar substitute.
No matter which option you choose, it’s always a good idea to check nutrition labels to be aware of how much sugar you’re consuming.
