People Who Make This Starbucks Mistake Never Lose Weight, According To Doctors–Here’s Why

The last 18 months has been hard on all of us, and if you’ve been finding ways to treat yourselves from online purchases to fast food delivery–we don’t blame you. That might involve an extra order of fries or a big, syrup-y drink from Starbucks–all in the name of “coping.” But if losing a few of those Covid-19 pounds is also on your radar, experts warn that ordering the specialty drinks from coffee chains like Starbucks is the worst mistake you could make. The health benefits of the spices and dairy these drinks contain are negated by the high-sugar and high-fat content, doctors specializing in weight loss warn. I’m sorry to crush all your PSL dreams on the eve of this glorious season–but you’ve got to hear what health experts told us about these drinks:

Starbucks has a “Featured” section of its menu where it spotlights new seasonal items like the current Fall offerings of Apple Crisp Macchiato and Pumpkin Spice Latte. If you are trying to lose weight, you should never order items directly off this menu prepared exactly as Starbucks is offering them.

Take the famed Pumpkin Spice Latte. Pumpkin Spice is typically a blend of health-boosting spices such as ground cinnamon (may reduce cholesterol), nutmeg (anti-aging), ginger (weight loss and brain health) and cloves (antioxidant-rich). But thinking that you’re getting any health benefits at all when ordering this seasonal menu item could be the one big mistake you’re making, doctors say.

“While the benefits of the individual spices are amazing, just adding them to high sugar, high fat foods does not make those foods healthy,” board certified physician and nutrition specialist Dr. Melina Jampolis warns us.