A simple Starbucks swap

If you look at Starbucks’ website, you will see their grande iced coffee listed as having 90 calories. In comparison, a medium Dunkin Donuts’ iced coffee is 15 calories.

Hold up. What is going on here!?

Most coffee is considered “calorieless”. For example, Starbucks’ hot coffee is listed as 5 calories.

Still confused? Here’s what’s up…

A fact that frequently goes unknown to many customers is that Starbucks often pre-sweetens your iced coffee! Unbeknownst to you, you may be indulging in a not so guilt free treat, when you think you’re just having an average calorieless coffee! I personally prefer to eat my calories, not drink them. But I love Starbucks! (Unlike Dunkies, they offer soy milk =) )

So, what is Starbucks lover to do?

The answer lies in a super simple, yet super effective, swap! Just trade your iced coffee for an iced Americano to get back 75 of those calories and enjoy the same rich coffee/espresso taste. Essentially, an Americano is espresso, made with more water to lessen its strength and make it more like an American coffee. But technically, it’s espresso. 

Yes, complicated.

Anyway, my go to drink is now a (hot or iced) grande decaf soy Americano with sugar free vanilla. I still get the rich coffee taste (honestly can't tell the difference) , minus any unintentional sugar additions. I’m sure whatever is in the sugar free vanilla isn’t the most stellar for me, but a girl can splurge every once in a while.

Starbucks also offers a slew of “skinny” options for their drinks. Why not make the healthiest choice whenever you can? Luckily they have very complete nutritional info online. So, before your next coffee break, take a peek and make the healthiest selection for you! It’s simple swaps like these that can make a big difference!

Be Well.

Love, Julie

P.S  Dunkin Donuts, if you’re reading this, please begin to offer soy milk! There is an increasing amount of people who are lactose intolerant or vegan out there, and we still want to enjoy your delicious drinks! This alone makes my mom and I choose Stabucks over you... Just a thought.