Admit it – we all love our daily/weekly/multiple-times-a-day Starbucks. But if you’re trying to watch the waistline or just be healthier in general, what can you order there? Let’s break down the healthiest drinks our favorite coffee shop has to offer.
Instead of a giant, calorie and sugar-laden Caramel Frappacino, try the Caramel Light Frappucino instead, which clocks in at a comparatively modest 130 calories for a Tall.
If all you’re looking for is a caffeine fix, head for the Iced Coffee or Iced Americano – these have almost no calories and provide that much-needed morning jolt we all crave.
Jonesing for a Chai Latte? Try either the light version with sugar-free flavoring, but if you’re averse to that fake sugar taste like I am, try a Nonfat Latte instead and sprinkle some cinnamon on top. At just 100 calories and a healthy dose of protein from the milk, you’re good to go!
For a refreshing alternative on a hot day, try an unsweetened iced tea. That’s right, unsweetened. I’m partial to the Iced Green Tea there, although I’ve heard others rave about the Passion Fruit variety.
Try out an Americano Misto. What’s that, you ask? It’s a half coffee or half americano (water and espresso), and half steamed milk. It has less calories than even a latte (a grande has btween 60-80 calories in it), and as an added bonus, is less expensive than one too.
Looking for something a little sweeter? A tall Iced Vanilla Latte has 120 calories, and while a plain Iced Latte would be an even better choice, this one won’t break the calorie bank.
And then there’s good ol’ plain hot coffee.
Additional tips for cutting calories at Starbucks:
- If you’re ordering a drink with milk in it, make it nonfat
- There are sugar-free or “light” versions of practically everything on the menu. And this will cut your calorie count substantially
- Skip the Grandes and Ventis and go for a Tall. Sure, they might look small, but it’ll probably give you the taste you need to satisfy that coffee craving
Happy drinking!
