Coffee is the fuel that gets a lot of people moving in the morning. Along with a balanced breakfast, this caffeinated beverage helps you face the day ahead with an energy boost that puts a spring in your step and a smile on your face.

Maybe you find comfort in the ritual of brewing a steaming cup of java, complete with the rich aromas that fill your kitchen and awaken your senses. When summer temperatures climb, however, you may find yourself reaching for iced versions of your favorite gourmet blend or espresso beverage.

If you’re the type to zip through a Starbucks or Dunkin’ to grab a convenient iced coffee on the go, you might not realize just how many calories you drink each day. Often made with whole milk and sugar-packed syrups or powders, these menu items might not mesh with your dietary preferences.

This is where healthy coffee drinks come in. Whether you’re looking to lose or maintain weight or simply steer clear of sugar and dairy, you can find ways to transform the iced beverages you love into healthy coffee drinks to order. Here are a few tips and tricks to create a healthier morning routine with your beverages.

6 Ways to Order a Healthy Iced Coffee

1. Opt for sugar-free.

An effective way to make your iced coffee more health-conscious is to order it unsweetened, or sugar-free. Even if you end up adding a bit of sugar at the condiment station, you’ll almost certainly add less sugar than the baristas, and you can choose a calorie-free plant-based sugar alternative if you’d like.

2. Choose a plant-based milk.

Another way to make your iced coffee healthier is to opt for almond milk or soy milk, which are lower in calories and fat and higher in protein than regular dairy. Particularly if you’re ordering a latte drink with lots of milk, this swap could make a big difference. This swap usually only costs $0.25-$0.75 more if you remember to ask for it.

3. Use a straw.

Coffee is highly acidic and can have an impact on your oral health. It can wear down the enamel of your teeth -- and eventually start to stain them. If you use a straw when you drink iced coffee, you can ensure that all of those acids bypass your pearly whites. Just make sure you buy a couple of reusable straws to bring in your car, your backpack, or purse so your commitment to oral hygiene doesn’t end up polluting the oceans.

4. Swap out espresso drinks.

As delicious as lattes are, they require a lot of milk to balance out the intense espresso beans. So if you’re looking to cut back on your coffee’s caloric intake, try a simple iced black coffee that you can just add a little milk to yourself.

5. Bring your own mug.

Okay, this is technically healthier for the planet -- not you. But, some coffee shops offer a discount if you bring in your own mug or thermos, so it’s healthier for your wallet, too. If you know you’re running late and have to buy your coffee instead of make it, throw your thermos into your backpack so you don’t have to get any single-use plastic with your coffee.

6. Switch out coffee for tea.

If you drink your morning iced coffee for the caffeine boost it brings, try swapping out your iced coffee for iced black or green tea. These teas are caffeinated but don’t require sugar, milk, or cream in order to be delicious -- which can add a lot of calories, sugar, and fat to your morning joe. Try swapping out tea for coffee a couple of times a week to see if it makes an impact on your energy levels.

Healthy Coffee Drinks to Order

When you’re in a hurry, you might not be keen on taking the time to deliver a long-winded order that bustling baristas will probably mess up anyway. The good news is that you can keep it simple and control your add-ins when you know which healthy coffee drinks to order.

Start with an iced black coffee or americano. With only coffee and ice, you have total control over what you add at the condiment station. Choose from regular creamer or dairy-free nut milk and whichever sugar or sweetener strikes your fancy. If an establishment doesn’t have your preferred add-ins at the grab-and-go station, simply ask for them on the side with your order.

This leads to the next set of healthy coffee options: café au lait (coffee with milk) or an iced latte. The barista will add the milk for you, but to make it a bit better for your body, skip the high-fat whole milk in favor of a plant-based alternative. Ask for an almond, soy, or oat milk latte, which features delicious flavor and fewer calories and fats.

What if you have a sweet tooth, though? You can opt for vanilla or chocolate nut milk at some establishments for low-key sweetening, or you can order an iced coffee with sugar-free sweetener. Such orders typically come with a set number of sweetener packets, but if you know how much you like, just tell the barista.

If you like the rich, smooth flavor of cold brew, which is typically served over ice unless it’s nitro cold brew, you can always order a cold brew with sweetener. Alternatively, you can simply ask for a plain cold brew and optimize with your preferred amount of sweetener.

If you just can’t manage to drink your iced coffee without all the bells and whistles, or you’re looking to change up your daily routine, you could also give iced tea a go. Black and green teas both feature caffeine and can be served as-is or with added milk, plant-based milk, and/or sweeteners.

Make Your Morning Coffee Ritual Better with An Iced Coffee Sleeve!

Try these little changes to make your iced coffee a lot healthier. And no matter where you get your iced coffee, make sure you use a JavaSok iced coffee sleeve to keep your hands dry and warm.