Every Tuesday, KidGlue presents “Healthy Pick/Makes Me Sick” where Sarah Matheny takes a popular restaurant’s menu and uncovers the most healthy and least healthy items on the menu. This week: Starbucks.
I had a crazy notion as a stay-at-home mom a few months ago: I gave up coffee entirely. I told you it was crazy. Slowly the brown nectar of the gods made it’s way back into my life, and thankfully my blood stream. I need to get things DONE! Every once in awhile I treat myself to a drink at Starbucks, but I go with the knowledge that my treat could outweigh an entire dinner in terms of fat and calories, if I don’t make an educated order. This one’s for all you tired parents, not your kids.
Makes Me Sick:
Grande Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha w/Whipped Cream
Oh, sweet festive deliciousness, why do you have to be so bad for me? This drink, which my husband and I lovingly call a “Candy Cane in a Cup” tops out at 700 calories, 27 g fat, and 17 g saturated fat! No wonder Santa is so fat.
Healthy Pick:
Tall Pumpkin Spice Soy Latte, No Whip
If you must get a seasonal latte of some sort at Starbucks, this is your best choice at 230 calories, 3.5 g fat, and 8 g protein. If you want to be even more calorie conscious (it is a BEVERAGE, after all), order a Tall Coffee of the Day (5 calories) with 2 pumps or Pumpkin Spice Syrup (40 calories) and splash of soy or nonfat milk (~20 calories).
All in all, brewing coffee at home is going to be a better choice for your wallet and your waistline, but as a sleep deficient parent with a Starbucks on every corner and in every Target, it’s okay: I understand.
Comments
Lindsey
October 13th, 2009 - 9:41:03 AM
Agree on the coffee w/ pumpkin and soy. I don't remember the last time I ordered a drink from there that was milk-based... it tastes just as good with a little bit of soy (or often in my case, half and half).
Lindsey @ Sound Eats
October 13th, 2009 - 9:46:49 AM
Just FYI to any vegans out there, the pumpkin spice syrup has dairy in it.
Healthy Coffee
October 14th, 2009 - 4:24:31 AM
I prefer my Java Healthy coffee any day to the over priced coffee.
Your Friendly Barista :)
October 14th, 2009 - 7:51:51 AM
The reason the Peppermint White Mocha is so high in calories is because it's double the syrup. Meaning the normal amount of white mocha is put in (as if you just ordered a white mocha) and then the same amount of peppermint syrup. Ask for it with half the amount of each, it will be just as tasty! You can also get it soy and no whip :) Also, the regular mocha (which is vegan; white mocha has dairy, for the vegans in the room) syrup has 25 calories per pump compared to the 60 calories per pump in white mocha sauce. You can *always* (always always always!!) customize your Starbucks drink, and no your barista will not mind.
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