When you walk into a Starbucks, you’re greeted by a menu filled with tempting coffee and beverage options. However, not all drinks are created equal, especially when it comes to their nutritional content. Dietitians have scrutinized Starbucks’ offerings and have identified some of the worst offenders in terms of calories, sugar, and fat. In this article, we’ll explore the 10 worst Starbucks drinks, according to dietitians, and shed light on just how indulgent these beverages can be.
1. Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino
The Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino is a delicious but calorie-packed treat, with a whopping 480 calories, 55g of sugar, and 24g of fat in a standard serving. To put it in perspective, it’s equivalent to the sugar content in nine Oreo cookies or two Snickers bars.
2. Salted Caramel Mocha
If you’re sipping on a 16-ounce Salted Caramel Mocha, you’re consuming 470 calories, 10g of saturated fat, and a staggering 59g of added sugar. To give you some context, that’s nearly as much sugar as you’d find in a chicken nugget Happy Meal.
3. White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino
Starbucks’ White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino may sound enticing, but it’s loaded with calories, saturated fat, and sugar. A typical serving contains 420 calories, 8g of saturated fat, and 44g of sugar.
4. Pumpkin Spice Latte
The Pumpkin Spice Latte is a beloved seasonal drink, but it’s high in calories and sugar. A grande size packs 390 calories and 50g of sugar. If you’d like to reduce the sugar intake, you can request less pumpkin spice sauce or opt for no whipped cream.
5. Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino
Indulging in a Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino means consuming 470 calories, 60g of sugar, and 22g of fat (with 14g saturated) in a grande size. It’s a decadent choice for sure.
6. Iced Caramel Macchiato
While Starbucks’ Iced Caramel Macchiato may seem relatively harmless with around 250 calories, it packs a sugar punch with 34 grams of sugar in a grande size.
7. Hot Chocolate
Starbucks’ Hot Chocolate is comforting, but it’s also high in calories. A single serving contains 370 calories, 37 grams of sugar, and 16 grams of fat.
8. Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino (Again)
This particular Frappuccino deserves a double mention due to its high calorie and sugar content. With 470 calories and 60 grams of sugar in a grande size, it’s not a choice for those watching their sugar intake.
9. Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte
Both hot and cold Chai Tea Lattes at Starbucks contain over 300 calories in a grande size, with almost 40% of the calories coming from fat and 35-40 grams of sugar per drink.
10. Acai Lemonade Starbucks Refresher
The Strawberry Acai Lemonade Starbucks Refresher may sound healthy with strawberries and lemons, but a grande size contains more than a day’s worth of sugar.
While Starbucks offers a wide array of delightful beverages, some are best enjoyed sparingly due to their high calorie, sugar, and fat content. If you’re looking to make healthier choices, consider exploring Starbucks’ lower-calorie and sugar-free options. Remember, indulging in these treats occasionally is fine, but moderation is key to maintaining a balanced diet.