By SAND Member: Clare Howard
This time of year is long awaited for many reasons: time with family, holiday foods and sweets, decorating homes, and most importantly to some: festive takes on our yearlong favorites at Starbucks. This year the little red celebratory cups have caused quite the controversy, and regardless of your opinion of the cup itself, I am more interested in what is going inside the cup. Nothing is a better pick-me-up during the weeks leading up to finals than a delicious holiday drink. So how can we enjoy all of the holiday drinks and treats that Starbucks has to offer without breaking the healthy lifestyle we all work all year to maintain? Here are a few tips that I find helpful throughout the holiday months:
Size matters…
As much as we would like the sweet goodness of these cheerful drinks to last all the longer, there is a huge difference between a “tall” and a “venti”. The tall-sized Peppermint Mocha that we all crave is a whopping 280 calories, while its venti counterpart racks in at 460 calories.
Think before you use extra add-ins…
Starbucks will use 2% milk in all of their drinks unless otherwise specified, if you order your beverage with non-fat milk you can cut about 50-75 calories depending on which size drink you order. Although the flavorings that Starbucks adds are oh so merry, it’s important to remember that they are still artificial syrups and are just as bad for us as artificial sweeteners. Instead, try reducing the number of pumps that the barista puts in the drink to decrease any adverse effects.
Frappuccinos are a no go…
As much as we love these refreshing treats, they really are not much different than drinking a milkshake. If you are craving a chilled beverage, try an iced coffee instead and save yourself the 500 calories and 20+ grams of sugar!
In the end, these treats are only around for a limited time, so let yourself indulge; just remember moderation and some alterations are key! If you are looking for a totally guilt-free (but still festive drink) try their Christmas Blend coffee or some peppermint tea!
Size matters…
As much as we would like the sweet goodness of these cheerful drinks to last all the longer, there is a huge difference between a “tall” and a “venti”. The tall-sized Peppermint Mocha that we all crave is a whopping 280 calories, while its venti counterpart racks in at 460 calories.
Think before you use extra add-ins…
Starbucks will use 2% milk in all of their drinks unless otherwise specified, if you order your beverage with non-fat milk you can cut about 50-75 calories depending on which size drink you order. Although the flavorings that Starbucks adds are oh so merry, it’s important to remember that they are still artificial syrups and are just as bad for us as artificial sweeteners. Instead, try reducing the number of pumps that the barista puts in the drink to decrease any adverse effects.
Frappuccinos are a no go…
As much as we love these refreshing treats, they really are not much different than drinking a milkshake. If you are craving a chilled beverage, try an iced coffee instead and save yourself the 500 calories and 20+ grams of sugar!
In the end, these treats are only around for a limited time, so let yourself indulge; just remember moderation and some alterations are key! If you are looking for a totally guilt-free (but still festive drink) try their Christmas Blend coffee or some peppermint tea!