Healthy/semi-healthy Starbucks drinks?

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Replies

  • PKM0515
    PKM0515 Posts: 3,089 Member
    I like a cappuccino, no sweetener. With whole milk, a grande is 120 calories, I believe. Sometimes I would ask for low fat or fat free milk.

    I haven't been to Starbucks in months, and my "daily habit" was the black tea, but I enjoyed the occasional cappuccino.
  • angelexperiment
    angelexperiment Posts: 1,917 Member
    I'm usually a frappuccino kinda person. But on days I get those, I have to budget my calories. I still have them swap almond milk in there to cut the calories down a little bit, sometimes remove the whipped cream.
    Lately, though, I've been getting iced caramel lattes with almond or coconut milk. The smallest size (I forget what they call them) comes out to around 70 calories.

    PSA, Starbucks has an online menu where you can customize any drink you want and see what the nutritional info is. I use it when I feel like changing up my order.

    So helpful 😊
  • Priasmama416
    Priasmama416 Posts: 103 Member
    Decaf, sugar free caramel, sugar free blueberry, or sugar free coconut latte with almond milk from DD.
  • lightenup2016
    lightenup2016 Posts: 1,055 Member
    Black coffee or americano (because they don’t keep decaf brewed anymore—grrr). I’m boring (but it’s low-cal!). I guess I do add a little cocoa and cinnamon.
  • skelterhelter
    skelterhelter Posts: 803 Member
    My next visit I was hoping to find a way to get a smoked butterscotch latte skinny if I can low sugar or sugar free syrup? Suggestions? I really miss
    My mocha 😕 trying out other things

    Do you follow themacrobarista on Instagram? He used to be a barista at Starbucks and has a ton of macro-friendly hacks on popular drinks. I believe he had one for the smoked butterscotch the other day. I believe it was an Americano with one pump of smoked butterscotch, one pump caramel, and a splash of half-and-half. You can sub almond milk if desired. Add your own low calorie sweetener, or ask for two packets of stevia blended. It's a very low calorie drink -- less than 100 calories, I believe.
  • scarlett_k
    scarlett_k Posts: 812 Member
    I can't stand skimmed milk in coffee so when I have one from a coffee place I'll have a cortado which is small and delicious, made with whole milk and about 75 kcal. Otherwise a small semi skimmed latte is a happy medium for me. I mostly drink my coffee black at home but I resent going out for coffee to pay £3 for a black coffee I could make better at home.
  • panda4153
    panda4153 Posts: 418 Member
    nuzziek wrote: »
    MaltedTea wrote: »
    Every so often I order their caramel latte (not sure of their branded name for it) but I request it "half sweet" with either coconut or almond milk. No whipped stuff on top and no swirls of caramel or whatever other weirdness they try adding to it.

    For the record, Starbucks needs UNSWEETENED dairy milk substitutes for their behind-the-counter barista beverages as well as on the counter for regular brew drinkers. "Regular people" aren't going to notice, it's the same price to Starbucks (in terms of what they're using now) and it's so much healthier.

    The above is the reason I usually only order a short double espresso from them.

    UGH yes! I hate how they don't offer unsweetened dairy milk substitutes. No one wants the sweetened kind!!

    I agree they should offer unsweetened options, but I disagree that no one likes the sweetened ones, I really like their Coconut Milk, it’s just sweet enough for me. I order a blonde Coconut Latte and love it.
  • Katmary71
    Katmary71 Posts: 7,080 Member
    I used to only get frappuccinos or white chocolate mochas which are a half day of calories. I switched to a Venti cold brew with vanilla sweet cream then got it down to light vanilla sweet cream. I started making my own cold brew at home and lately have been adding Premiere protein chocolate or caramel to half concentrate instead of water. Slightly more calories, my version tastes better, is cheaper, and has 30g protein. However if pumpkin cream is available I'll hit Starbucks for a light version, love that stuff!
  • angelexperiment
    angelexperiment Posts: 1,917 Member
    Decaf, sugar free caramel, sugar free blueberry, or sugar free coconut latte with almond milk from DD.

    My friend who was a die hard dd fan said they never make them right and didn’t taste similar to her favorite vanilla chill or whatever it’s called but I’d try some you mentioned just to research 🤤
  • angelexperiment
    angelexperiment Posts: 1,917 Member
    Katmary71 wrote: »
    I used to only get frappuccinos or white chocolate mochas which are a half day of calories. I switched to a Venti cold brew with vanilla sweet cream then got it down to light vanilla sweet cream. I started making my own cold brew at home and lately have been adding Premiere protein chocolate or caramel to half concentrate instead of water. Slightly more calories, my version tastes better, is cheaper, and has 30g protein. However if pumpkin cream is available I'll hit Starbucks for a light version, love that stuff!

    I’ve never heard of this pumpkin cream but I think it was meant for me 😍
  • angelexperiment
    angelexperiment Posts: 1,917 Member
    @lightenup2016 - they don’t have decaf anymore? How weird!
    @scarlett_k - I’ve never heard of a cortado , is this an English thing?
    @skelterhelter I think I love you 💕❤️😘 I will look him up fo sho that sounds yumm!
  • angelexperiment
    angelexperiment Posts: 1,917 Member
    I did find something for coffee lovers on keto it’s called kitu in vanilla, mocha. A serving is 50 cal =8 oz. 5.99 for a big bottle so I might try! 0 net carbs. They also have creamers and small bottles but I think my friend says the little ones actually have sugar 😕. Right now I’ve just made my keto coffee home side and add unsweetened cocoa it is definitely not the same as my mocha but I blend it for that smooth flavor
  • scarlett_k
    scarlett_k Posts: 812 Member
    I’ve never heard of a cortado , is this an English thing?

    It's Spanish in origin. A good barista should be able to make you one!
  • Katmary71
    Katmary71 Posts: 7,080 Member
    Katmary71 wrote: »
    I used to only get frappuccinos or white chocolate mochas which are a half day of calories. I switched to a Venti cold brew with vanilla sweet cream then got it down to light vanilla sweet cream. I started making my own cold brew at home and lately have been adding Premiere protein chocolate or caramel to half concentrate instead of water. Slightly more calories, my version tastes better, is cheaper, and has 30g protein. However if pumpkin cream is available I'll hit Starbucks for a light version, love that stuff!

    I’ve never heard of this pumpkin cream but I think it was meant for me 😍

    They have it in fall, I took a class that semester and Starbucks is across the street, my car always turned into the parking lot on it's own! I would've been there for peppermint cream which is my favorite but they switched it to Irish cream which is probably good, I just was disappointed it wasn't peppermint. They do have a peppermint syrup but I didn't care for it.
  • JaxxieKat
    JaxxieKat Posts: 427 Member
    I always work a tall soy flat white into my calories if I want a SB treat. I always log it at 140 calories.
  • There have been so many great suggestions since I started this thread. Thank you so much!

    Unfortunately, I have not tried a single one yet as I kept company with a nasty cold last week. I've been trying to limit my exposure in public while my body tries to manufacture the appropriate antibodies.

    I'm feeling much better, and I'm looking forward to sitting down with a good book and a low calorie coffee drink this week!
  • angelexperiment
    angelexperiment Posts: 1,917 Member
    So I have tried the following : americano with 1 pump smoked butterscotch 1 pump vanilla cream ( vanilla almond milk) americano with 2 pump mocha 1 pump sweet cream. Mocha was ok, couldn’t really taste butterscotch flavor. Both around 80 cal
  • cjhanich
    cjhanich Posts: 4 Member
    PassionTea with splenda, or if you can do a little sugar, passiontea lemonade with splenda. I hate spending that much on drinks, so I get the Tazo Passion -pitcher size- filter bags from Target, brew it double strength (plus one or 2 individual tea bags), then chill. Buy the sugar free versions of the Torani or Davinci syrups coffee shops use at Business Costco, or Smart Food Service/Cash & Carry, or other supply stores for about $4 a bottle.
    When you want some, pour (over ice) 8 oz tea, 8 oz water, 3-4 pumps sugar free sweetener Davinci syrup, 3-4 pumps sugar free lemon Torani syrup.

    It's bold, refreshing, and 0 cals. and so much cheaper.
  • sammidelvecchio
    sammidelvecchio Posts: 791 Member
    The biggest iced coffee w/ sugar free vanilla and a *splash* of heavy cream.
  • PKM0515
    PKM0515 Posts: 3,089 Member
    I haven't had Starbucks in months, but this thread is tempting me! I need to investigate this "smoked butterscotch."
  • cherys
    cherys Posts: 387 Member
    I have Americano with steamed hot skimmed milk. Or fruit tea. I've discovered so many different delicious, zero-calorie fruit teas by choosing them in cafes because they are healthier. Mint and red berry yesterday was lovely. Turmeric and ginger is warming.
  • DevonKaroline
    DevonKaroline Posts: 19 Member
    Go-to Starbucks drink is iced unsweetened passion tea. Zero or very few calories and caffeine-free.
  • Foodfavor
    Foodfavor Posts: 94 Member
    If you like the refreshers I get a venti strawberry acai refresher, no water, add coconut milk, blended. It comes out to around 130 calories and is very, well... refreshing!
  • MichelleMcKeeRN
    MichelleMcKeeRN Posts: 450 Member
    I normally buy a Nitro cold brew with sweet cream or an Unsweetened latte. Espresso, milk and ice blended is pretty good too. I normally have whole milk or 2% milk in my coffee but there are other lighter choices. For a treat, I may have 1-2 pumps of sugar free sweetener added to my beverage. I put a sprinkle of plain unsweetened cocoa powder on my foamed milk at home.
  • JoeyTheWanderer
    JoeyTheWanderer Posts: 224 Member
    I drink mine Black. Maybe throw a couple Splenda in it if I'm having a sweet tooth. I normally prefer the variety of brews at home though.
  • MichelleMcKeeRN
    MichelleMcKeeRN Posts: 450 Member
    They have a coffee shop in Reno Nevada that serves their coffee like beer. The shop was super cute like a trendy bar. I was so shocked they didn’t have cream, milk or anything like that, I just left 😳 What do you mean you can’t make a latte, lol? Obviously that kind of place is too high brow for my taste buds!
  • Anyone else scared poopless to go through just the Starbucks drive-thru these days?
  • kristiangocko
    kristiangocko Posts: 1 Member
    Black coffee or a cold brew when it's warm out. Zero calories. Pure enjoyment.
  • PKM0515
    PKM0515 Posts: 3,089 Member
    I haven't been to Starbucks for months. When things get back to normal, I'm going to treat myself to a Caramel Macchiato and sit in the park and enjoy it! (Obviously, my dream self is not worrying about calories. 😉)
  • hawksgirl229
    hawksgirl229 Posts: 467 Member
    I also love their unsweetened passion tea