28 March 2011

What to Order at Starbucks

One of the questions I get asked most often is, “Okay, Miss Nutritionista: If you say too much sugar is unhealthy, what in the world am I supposed to order at Starbucks?”

I’ve never been a huge coffee drinker, but lately, I’ve started to enjoy an occasional (or if I’m being honest, weekly) flavored coffee beverage (don’t hate me, coffee snobs!). Most people who are weight- or health-conscious are used to getting their coffee fix in the form of “skinny” drinks: nonfat/low-cal/etc. But that doesn’t mean those drinks don’t have a ton of sugar! Sure, you can get the non-sugar syrup, but that just tastes bad, amiright?

When you’re thinking of making a Starbucks (or coffee shop) run, you should really consider it a snack. Especially if you do what I suggest and get something with a bit more fat and a bit LESS sugar. If you’re already hooked on the sugary drinks, start weaning yourself off of the sweetness by using less and less sugar each time.

Here are the Starbucks drinks that will give you the most health/satisfaction bang for your buck (you can try any in iced form, too!):

For the flavor junkie: Any tall flavored latte with half the prescribed amount of syrup, made with 2% or whole milk. I’ll sometimes get a peppermint mocha with half the amount of syrup, and I swear to you, it tastes plenty sweet. In fact, it tastes so sweet that the normal amount of syrup tastes downright nasty to me now. Getting 2% or whole milk will make sure the drink stays with you like a snack would, rather than setting you off on a sugar roller coaster. If you do want to get non-sugar syrup, still try to get less than the normal amount of pumps. Getting more will just continue to acclimate you to sweeter drinks.
For the caffeine addict: A short or tall cappuccino or espresso breve (meaning made with half and half instead of milk). The half and half will make sure your drink is satisfying, and the cappuccino/espresso will ensure your drink gives you the jolt you need. The half and half will make this drink so satisfying that you’ll only need a small size!
For the caffeine avoider: A Calm or Vanilla Rooibos latte with 2% or whole milk. I really like the Vanilla Rooibos — it’s mild, smooth, and goes well with milk. If you must, you can add half a packet of Splenda (but only half or even 1/3 of a packet!). You don’t want to get used to saccharine sweet drinks.
For the no-nonsense coffee drinker: Any bold brewed coffee ordered with “room.” Add a few tablespoons of half and half from the condiment station for a filling, flavorful beverage. Half and half/cream have a lot of natural sweet
For the virgin Starbucks goer/non-coffee drinker: Honestly, I would just recommend buying some high-quality tea and brewing it yourself at home or at work. Starbucks, and all of those bougie coffee shops (Caribou, Biggby, etc., I’m talking to you!) aren’t really worth the money. You’re really much better off buying some coffee beans or tea you really love and making your own. For those of you in this camp, check out this hilarious site, I Hate Starbucks, whose author claims the Eggnog Latte is “seems like a weapon of mass destruction.”