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Is Starbucks Coffee Healthy?
Starbucks is the world’s premier fast-casual coffee chain and provides an extensive menu of tasty beverages and food items, such as the Pumpkin Spice Latte, Medicine Ball and Pink Drink, along with healthy options like Skinny Vanilla Latte Iced Passion Tango Tea Black tea. But not all drinks are created equal when it comes to calories and sugar content – with these dietitian-approved tips you can still enjoy the joys of Starbucks without feeling guilty afterwards!
Mandy Enright, a registered dietitian, emphasizes the importance of remembering when ordering Starbucks beverages that size matters. She advises opting for either a short (8 fl oz) or tall (12 fl oz) drink to reduce calories and fat intake; furthermore, selecting skim milk instead of whole or half-and-half can further cut back on fat and saturated fat content of beverages.
Another simple tip for ordering Starbucks is requesting fewer pumps of syrup or toppings. One pump of traditional syrup contains 20 calories and five grams of added sugar; ordering a grande-sized drink with four pumps will result in 80 additional calories of added sugar being consumed.
Keep track of your beverage intake with reusable cups designed specifically to hold flavored drinks, with sizes that include Small, Tall and Kid’s options that include an easy calorie count for each beverage type.
Starbucks menu items that are most nutritious include brewed black coffee or teas such as the Blonde Roast and Iced Passion Tango Tea – both are low in calories, and can even be sweetened using Stevia or Honey for additional sweetening!
Add a shot of espresso to your beverage to help reduce calories and give yourself an energy boost! Starbucks’ Espresso Macchiato pairs two shots of espresso with dairy-free foam for an energy boost while remaining low-cal.
An alternative to coffee and tea, an Iced Coconutmilk Latte with Chocolate Mint Syrup makes for an enjoyable treat without adding sugar or fat, providing an effective dose of caffeine without the jitters or crash that often come with traditional beverages like coffee.
For a nutritious breakfast on the go, consider egg white and roasted red pepper sous vide egg bites from Starbucks. They provide a good source of protein while still being lower in calories compared to many of their menu offerings.