The other day my lil’ sister and I were waiting in the back of the Starbucks line. Not like 2 or 4 back—like 20 back! And, may I add that this was not even a Starbucks on a crowded city street. Rather, this was a Starbucks, inside a grocery store, in a semi-sleepy town. Interesting…
Being the “semi-snoop” I am, I listened to what people were ordering and peered at the ready-to-drink cups cradled in their pebble brown sleeves marked with their “order code.” I realized everyone was buying the Holiday drinks!!! Interesting…
Personally, I always buy a Venti Tazo Passion tea—hot–with 2 tea bags. Hence, I am somewhat “out of sorts” when it comes to all these Holiday offerings. I remember the Pumpkin Spice latte—but the Caramel Brulee, Eggnog, Peppermint Mocha, and Gingerbread Lattes I was not on the nutrition “up and up” about.
Hence—I did some “nutrition research” on what the folks in that crazy line were waiting to buy. I took the most decadent way you can have one of these prepared—Venti (largest size), whipped cream, whole milk—and compared it to the “healthiest” way to have one prepared—Tall (smallest size), no whip, and non-fat milk. Also—I of course showcased my herbal infused natural tea and some plain ol’ Joe.
Shall we?
1. The Caramel Brulee Latte (Venti, whole milk, whipped cream)
- 580 calories
- 20 grams fat
- 12 grams saturated fat
- 0 grams trans fat
- 86 grams carbohydrate
- 66 grams sugar
- 14 grams protein
2. The Caramel Brulee Latte (Tall, non-fat milk, whipped cream)
- 240 calories
- 0 grams fat
- 0 grams saturated fat
- 0 grams trans fat
- 50 grams carbohydrate
- 38 grams sugar
- 9 grams of protein
3. Eggnog latte (Venti, whole milk)
- 630 calories
- 30 grams fat
- 17 grams saturated fat
- 0 grams trans fat
- 69 grams carbohydrate
- 64 grams sugar
- 21 grams protein
4. Eggnog latte (Tall, non-fat milk)
- 350 calories
- 15 grams fat
- 9 grams saturated fat
- 0 grams trans fat
- 42 grams carbohydrate
- 39 grams sugar
- 13 grams protein
5. Peppermint Mocha latte (Venti, whole milk, whip cream)
- 540 calories
- 22 grams fat
- 13 grams saturated fat
- 0 grams trans fat
- 78 grams carbohydrate
- 67 grams sugar
- 16 grams protein
6. Peppermint Mocha Latte (Tall, non-fat milk, no whip)
- 220 calories
- 2 grams fat
- 1 gram saturated fat
- 0 grams trans fat
- 46 grams carbohydrate
- 40 grams sugar
- 10 grams protein
7. Gingerbread Latte (Venti, whole milk, whipped cream)
- 440 calories
- 21 grams fat
- 12 grams saturated fat
- 0 grams trans fat
- 48 grams carbohydrate
- 46 grams sugar
- 15 grams protein
8. Gingerbread Latte (Tall, non-fat milk, no whip)
- 150 calories
- 0 grams fat
- 0 grams saturated fat
- 0 grams trans fat
- 29 grams carbohydrate
- 29 grams sugar
- 9 grams protein
9. Venti Passion Tea (HOT)
- 0 calories
- 0 grams fat
- 0 grams saturated fat
- 0 grams trans fat
- 0 grams carbohydrate
- 0 grams sugar
- 0 grams protein
10. Venti Black Coffee
- 5 calories
- 0 grams fat
- 0 grams saturated fat
- 0 grams trans fat
- 0 grams carbohydrate
- 0 grams sugar
- 1 gram protein
WOWZA!!!
Some of these Holiday favorites pack enough calories for a meal!!! And, beyond calories—some are loaded with not so heart healthy fat! To go even beyond the high calories and fat in these beverages is the fact that they offer little nutrition. They offer a wee-bit to NO phytochemicals (those lil’ chemicals in plants that help protect us from disease), vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, heart healthy fats, or fiber!!!
Hence, I advise you to limit these beverages NOT ONLY because they’re high in calories, added sugars, and perhaps fat BUT because they’re taking the place of nutritious wholesome foods in your diet! A SHAME, if you ask me!
Bottom line
Opt for tea, coffee, or a low-fat/non-fat regular ol’ cappuccino or latte instead of one of these drinks. But, if you insist on getting in the Starbucks Holiday Spirit—go ahead and have one. I’d suggest the Tall non-fat/low-fat version with no whip. BUT, if you insist on going “all out,” have the “full-on” version… and savor every succulent drop!!! And, just a word of advice—I wouldn’t do this every day—your body and perhaps jeans, after awhile, won’t thank you. And, to be perfectly honest … neither will your bank account! Those suckers are expensive!!!
FYI!!! The lovely Jessica at A Fete for Food just informed you can order a “SHORT” for all these drinks–even smaller than the Tall. I wasn’t sure you could, but now I know! Thanks Jess! To get the info on the “shortie” visit Starbucks nutrition information page.
Happy Healthifying!
What’s your favorite Holiday beverage???
I say goodbye to fad diets, bogus “fat-burning” pills, and processed, non-food food. And, I smile hello to a healthifying lifestyle full of fruits, veggies, and whole grains, sweaty workouts, the occasional "chocolate fix," sleep, family and friend time, and quality “me time” with a focus on health. I look forward to your comments and thoughts as the posts healthify on by! Thanks for reading!
Oy. These drinks are one of my indulgences. I always go for the “short” size (NOT on the menu, I think 8 oz.) with non-fat milk, no whipped. And not very often- more a holiday treat! In fact, I think I may go get one now…
Short!?! Thanks! I’ll add this info to the post! I wasn’t sure they were offered for these! Fabulous! Thanks! Enjoy your latte
Yikes. This list makes me glad I hate flavored drinks. I’m a plain coffee girl all the way.
Holy cow. What a great reminder. I never get any of those drinks, unless it’s a special occasion. Some people get them everyday, which is really crazy and…well…dumb! It’s like people think because they are drinking something..it’s not that bad for them. Then if someone offered them a piece of cake, they’d be like, “no way! I’m on a diet” haha. Ridiculous.
Good for you for sticking with the coffee, plain, or tea! Although I may be getting one of those drinks today, as I’ve only had one in the past couple months. I’ll hold the whipped cream!
Hey blog slacker! Just kidding, but I’ve missed ya!
I just had a bloggie moment…I took a picture of my Starbucks cup in front of my lap top open to your post about Starbucks. I’m stuck in the airport, it was only appropriate : ) Some of those coffees are the caloric content of a good meal, and I refuse. As delicious as they may be, they’re not worth it to me. I get a tall, skinny vanilla latte which is about 100 calories and delicious!
Great post!
Yes–it’s true! Ha-ha! Been a slackin. It’s what happens when you head home
. And, love the skinny vanilla lattes. Good stuff! Happy Holidays!!!
Research published a week ago indicates that coffee and tea drinking lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes: 7% lower risk with each cup.
I don’t think Eggnog Latte qualifies.
-Steve
AGREED!
WOW so crazy to me how the whipped cream makes a huge difference too!
I heard recently that you can order a “short” size but every time I go, I always forget about it. I do love starbucks and have gotten a couple of the holiday drinks just as a treat. Like you recommended, I always go for the tall, no whip, and non-fat. It can still add up, but once and a while, you have to indulge.
My favorite holiday drink is the gingerbread latte. My normal drink is usually a tall nonfat latte, no whip.
Thanks for the great post!
Woah,,,thanks for sharing. It’s always horrifying when you hear these stats. I’ve started wondering when Sbucks will start offering organic coffee/free trade…as well as maybe a lil rice milk or almond milk??? I would be soo happy!
Happy Holidays!
Love this post! As usual girl
…coffee can be a killer hey? Not as ‘simple’ as it sounds – but I like the Holiday drinks – you can enjoy these drinks without going toooo crazy 
Merry merry Christmas. I have to visit here more often – yikes !!!
Hm, I’ve never heard of a short, but I like this idea! I actually just tried my Starbucks’s Holiday Tea…it was some sort of black tea mixed with a few other spices, and was definitely tasty for being on the lighter side! Merry Christmas!
Nice to meet you Corinne! I found your blog via Coconut Crumbs.
I’m also a dietetic intern completing a pediatric specialty internship at St. Louis University.
I don’t drink milk, so I usually get tea at Starbucks, too.
Glad to meet a fellow Tazo Tea lover! Thanks for the comment!
I love the Tazo passion tea, but I prefer it iced instead of hot. It’s the right amounts fruity and somewhat spicy. Even better: I shake a little of the powdered vanilla into the cup.
Wow! Thanks for posting this. I knew the Holiday drinks were on the calorically dense side but I didn’t realize how high the saturated fat content is! I always stick with the Tea at Starbucks.
It is amazing how many calories are in some of these drinks. It is so easy to get caught up in the holiday craze and drink almost an entire meal in one cup!
I am also a tea girl – much cheaper too!