Need a low-carb early morning pick me up? Starbucks has keto-friendly options

Starting a new diet but still need an early morning pick me up?

You don't have to change your daily routine just to drop a few pounds.

If you're a Starbucks regular, you can still stop by and get your caffeine fix without spoiling your day. In fact, the coffee shop has plenty of drinks that will not only work well within a diet, it will be fine for those following a low-carb or keto lifestyle.

While not all drinks can be made low-carb friendly, there are tricks you can use to make sure your drinks won't blow your diet.

One key is making sure you replace all milk with heavy cream. Milk has sugar that heavy cream doesn't. The difference in carb count is large and can make a huge difference.

Another way to avoid sugar is to check what flavoring is being added to your drink. If you're craving a coffee that includes a sugary sweetener, swap it out. Starbucks offers a variety of syrups and sweeteners that are either no carb or low carb. Those alterations can allow you to have a drink that would be off limits otherwise.

Need more of a guide?

Here are some drinks you can enjoy if you're on a low-carb diet.

Unsweetened Iced tea and regular tea

Whether you want a quick hot drink or a nice refreshing cold one, as long as you enjoy it with a sugar-free sweetener, you're good to go.

Coffee (hot or iced)

Keep it simple, keep it low carb. A regular cup of black coffee will get you going without adding any carbs to your day. Just say no to cream or sugar, though artificial sweetener is OK.

Espresso

Sometimes you need a big jolt. You can still get it. this drink has one carb, which shouldn't throw you too far off track.

Nitro Cold Brew

If you're seeking a drink with a little less bite than regular coffee, this one will give you that without any carbs. Just be careful if you add flavoring, some have no carbs, some have few carbs and some will ruin your diet.

Americano

It's a slice of Americano, or at least a cup. Starbucks describes this drink as "Espresso shots topped with hot water create a light layer of crema culminating in this wonderfully rich cup with depth and nuance." And even better? Just 15 calories and 0 carbs.

Skinny Mocha

Anything that says skinny in it has to be good for you, right? Well, not always, but in this case, it is. Just get it with heavy cream and water instead of milk and you'll only add about 1 or 2 carbs to your diet.

Iced Shaken Espresso

Make sure you order it with heavy cream instead of milk and ask for a sugar-free syrup and you'll keep this drink under 5 carbs.

Cafe Latte (Keto)

Not every drink that calls itself keto is perfect, but this one will only set you back about 3 carbs. Make sure it's made with heavy cream and you'll be set.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Keto Starbucks drinks: Stay low carb while enjoying coffee