Starbucks always lets us know that the holidays have officially arrived with their holiday cups and FaLa Lattes. But in addition to Christmas spirit and holiday cheer, these delicious drinks bring extra sugar, whipped cream and far more calories than your morning coffee should have. But instead of being the Nutrition Grinch and telling you to skip them all together, I’ve got some suggestions to lighten them up.
- Save them for special occasions – they should definitely not be a weekly drink
- Order with skim milk instead of 2% or whole – this can save 50-80 calories
- Skip the whipped cream – this can save 70 calories, and isn’t it already sweet enough?
- Request “less pumps” – for example, if a grande pumpkin spice latte has 3 pumps, I’ll get 1 1/2
- Request sugar-free syrups
- Order a small!
Pumpkin Spice Latte Venti (20 oz):
510 calories, 20 grams fat, 61 grams sugar
Skim Pumpkin Spice Latte Tall -No Whip (12 oz):
200 calories, 0 grams fat, 37 grams sugar
What are your holiday drinks tips?
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{ 25 comments }
I love the holiday coffee drinks! I always make sure to order it with skim milk.
I’m definitely tempted by the seasonal drinks (mmm, peppermint mocha!), so remembering that it should be just a treat is big for me.
Also, I have a friend who makes an amazinggg peppermint mocha smoothie (http://kissesforbreakfast.com/2010/10/21/romance-and-a-new-blender/) that is a much healthier alternative. I have to remind myself that healthy, delicious options exist too! Now if only I could get it at a drive-thru…
The peppermint mochas are my favorite too!
Thanks for sharing this recipe!
I don’t order them all too often, mostly because I try to make coffee at home or at the office since Starbucks gets pretty pricey after a while! Although, when I do go out for coffee I try to order just a flavored brew- unless it’s dessert you really don’t need all the crazy sugar!
Love this! I caved this year and tried a pumpkin spice latter and now I’m obsessed….I am also about to make and blog about a homemade version though so I’ll let you know how that goes!!
sometimes i think the coffee shop specialty drinks signal the seasonal change for me more than the weather does!
after working at a coffee shop, i discovered that half shots of syrup are the way to go. i want my coffee to taste like coffee not sugary water! at caribou the small and medium drinks have the same amount of espresso shots. so the smalls have the same amount of caffination with less calories from milk.
Oooh, I love this insider tip!! Thanks Kate!
i am thankful that i am not a sugar loving coffee fiend. i’m just a coffee fiend, therefore i prefer a regular pike with a bit of lite cream. i do admit to indulging in these little treats now and then and your tips are just perfect!
I don’t order coffee out much, but I do like a treat every now and then. A splash of pumpkin spice Silk Nog is a great treat in my AM coffee!
Love that idea too!!
Am I the only one that does not care for the holiday coffee drinks? Where I get into trouble is the holiday sweet desserts/breads.
Great post Emily. I actually ordered the pumpkin spiced latte this past Sunday with skim milk no whipped cream and was kinda disappointed. I guess that is what I get for not being a coffee drinker!
Great tips! I follow all of them when it comes to the special holiday drinks. However, I have been ordering my skinny vanilla grande latte more than once a week. Not only do I need to cut down on this for the calories but the cost is pretty high too!
Wow.. I am shocked at the calories in those types of drinks.. unreal.. great tips!
My tip? Dissolve a peppermint stick in a cup of regular black coffee. Boom, unique flavor with less calories!
I’ve never thought of that one! As soon as candy canes are on the shelves, I’m trying it! (I guess they probably are already in stores!)
What about all the sugars in the candy cane that you are now putting into your coffee? Corn Syrup, Glucose, Fructose……that can’t be good. I guess I am turning into the Nutritional Grinch!
Haha, I wouldn’t make it an every day habit, but a few times throughout the season wouldn’t be too bad!
I definitely second the no whip and skim milk rule of thumb. I save those drinks for a weekend treat or when I have a free coupon from Starbucks. I seriously don’t know how people order those EVERY day, that would kill me!!
I’m not a huge fan of overly sweet drinks so I always request no whipped cream, skim milk and only 1 pump of syrup. Otherwise I get a “too much sugar” headache!
I always get holiday-flavored drip coffee. It’s not sweet but the aroma is there.
MMMM I’m a sucker for coffee. I try and make my own holiday drinks by adding a little cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, or peppermint extract (just a teeny tiny bit) to my coffee at home. This way I can still taste the holidays, but they won’t make me not fit into my jeans come January!
I’m a sucker for the coffee mate holiday flavors. I know they aren’t that healthy, but I’m lactose intolerant so it’s my splurge! Definitely want to try the candy cane tip!
Drink more water, find a delicious non caffeinated herbal tea. Stop going to Starbucks and support a local coffee shop!
Emily, I love your site and really appreciate the information you provide. I also like reading the comments.
Thanks for this venue to discuss nutrition!
Thanks Nicole!
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