When the cold weather comes around, it is so tempting to drink all of the yummy lattes from Starbucks that will help to keep us warm. Associated with fall is the famous Pumpkin Spice Latte, which is one of the most loved drinks in the fall. However, with the need to eat healthy comes not eating or drinking too much sugar. However, in the lattes, there are immense amounts of sugar…we are here to help you drink your favorite fall drinks, but decrease the calorie count going into your body every day.
1. Pumpkin Spice Latte
For a grande (or medium for all of you non-Starbucks lovers), a Pumpkin Spice Latte contains 380 calories, but more shockingly, 50 GRAMS of sugar. If you know how bad sugar is for you, this is essentially killing you. However, if you really want to drink one due to cravings during the fall time, get a PSL. BUT, get it with almond milk (or any other milk that isn’t whole milk), get only 1 or 2 pumps of pumpkin, and get no whipped cream. Although the sugar intake and the calories will still be higher for a drink, it is better than it was before.
2. Salted Caramel Mocha
For a grande, this drink has 470 calories with 59 grams of sugar. Again, this is clearly not a drink that is healthy for you, but this one is a little more confusing to make healthy. Since this drink is a mocha, it is not mostly coffee, but mostly chocolate. Therefore, get 1 or 2 pumps of all the syrups instead of the four it comes with. This will decrease the calories by HALF, making the drink 235 calories and changing it from a huge damage in your diet to a mediocre damage.
3. Maple Pecan Latte
For a grande, this drink has 340 calories 45 grams of sugar. This drink is extremely similar to a PSL; get the drink with almond milk (or another alternative milk) and get 1 or 2 pumps instead of the four it comes with. Also, try to hold off on whipped cream—no matter how light the weight of the whipped cream is, it will never be good for you!!
4. Pumpkin Spice Chai Tea Latte
Finally, a drink for you non coffee drinkers! For a grande, this drink is 310 calories with 58 grams of sugar. Get 1 or 2 pumps of pumpkin instead—and add whatever milk you desire!
Healthier alternatives to drinks make all of the difference in your nutrition plan! To stay healthy, try these recipes—we promise it will be worth it in the end!