Fall is in full swing, and the holiday season is here! Seasonal treats abound this time of year, and your local Starbucks is no exception. The warm and inviting look (and aroma) of their Pumpkin Spice Latte proves why it's such a popular drink this time of year. Whether you enjoy a daily trip to Starbucks or an occasional one, think before you The Starbucks website says this "delicious blend of pumpkin and traditional fall spice flavors combined with our signature espresso" also contains steamed 2% milk, whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices. A grande (16 oz) beverage contains 380 calories and 13 grams of fat. While that doesn't sound as horrible as I had expected, keep in mind that this drink isn't exactly a meal or a snack, and that plain old coffee is virtually calorie-free. According to SparkPeople.com's Fitness Tracker, a 150-pound woman who rakes leaves in her yard will burn 5 calories per minute. To burn off the pumpkin-infused coffee, you'd have to rake non-stop for 76 minutes! As much as most people hate raking leaves, that's downright torturous. While a single Starbucks drink isn't going to make or break your diet, I think it helps to consider the "damage" of these little extras before you dive in and regret it later—especially if you're a regular at Starbucks (or similar outlets). Now, the holidays wouldn't be as much fun without the treats that go along with them. So if I was going to indulge in this treat, I'd order a "short" (8 oz), swap skim milk for 2%, and keep the whipped cream (hey, it's tasty!) to save 200 calories. Luckily, the Starbucks.com nutrition section allows you to play with size, toppings and more to determine the caloric damage of your order. I suggest checking it out in advance! Do you drink "coffee drinks" like this on a regular basis? Do seasonal treats like this tempt you this time of year? |
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