No matter how much money you can save by making your own coffee at home, there’s nothing quite like the joy of getting a delicious latte from Starbucks. Unfortunately, all of that great taste normally comes with health risks. It’s no secret that most specialty drinks at Starbucks are loaded with sugar. (We’re looking at you, Pumpkin Spice Latte!) However, that doesn’t mean you have to give up Starbucks altogether. By making smart decisions, you can still get your coffee fix without putting your health at risk.
To find out a few of the healthiest choices at Starbucks, from your drink to your food, we spoke to nutritionist Paula Rubello. She told us that keeping it simple with a plain latte or cappuccino and some oatmeal is one of the best ways to go. Read on for all of her expert insight.
Order simple drinks like a plain latte
When you think "Starbucks," you probably think of something loaded with sugary syrups and topped with whipped cream. Unfortunately, packing your coffee with harmful ingredients like these can take a serious toll on your health over time. That's why Rubella recommends staying away from the flavored lattes, "as they tend to have a lot of added sugars."
Instead, she says, "opt for a simple latte, cappuccino or flat white" to keep your sugar intake to a minimum. "I usually get these with 2% cow’s milk as this will give me some protein and fats to stay satisfied," she says.
Of course, plant-based milk can also be a great option if your body doesn't handle dairy well.
However, sometimes you just really need to get your sweet fix. If that's the case, making modifications to your drink of choice can make a big difference. "If you can’t go to Starbucks without getting a flavored drink, opt for 1 pump of syrup. This will reduce the amount of added sugars by a lot!" Rubella says.
Go with oatmeal for food
All though all of the sweet pastries on display may be tempting, limiting your intake of refined carbs and sugar is an important part of staying healthy. Luckily, Starbucks offers many different breakfast options, including a few healthy menu items. Rubella recommends going with the oatmeal.
"If you are planning to eat breakfast at Starbucks, get the plain oatmeal for some high fiber carbohydrates and top it with nuts for healthy fats," she suggests. "Order some egg white bites for protein and you will have a very balanced breakfast!" Sounds perfect!
