Going to Starbucks on a diet? Dieticians reveal the 7 healthiest drinks on the menu – including the viral brown sugar espresso

Starbucks’ extravagant drinks menu has been repeatedly criticized for items containing thousands of calories and ungodly amounts of sugar.

But you don’t have to stick to plain old black coffee; There are plenty of drinks that are relatively low in calories and can satisfy your sweet tooth.

Registered Dietitian Marissa Meshulam and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Kristen Carli have the menu sorted for you – choose seven drinks they think are healthiest.

There are options that everyone can incorporate into their diet, Carli said, because part of truly healthy relationship nutrition comes from enjoying treats like Starbucks.

“Cultivating a healthy relationship with food means nourishing your body and enjoying the foods and drinks you love,” Carli shared Really simple.

Some general tips for choosing a lower-calorie drink include choosing a lower-fat or alternative milk option, reducing the number of syrup pumps in your drink, and reducing toppings such as whipped cream.

Specifically, here are the seven best options on the menu if you’re trying to adjust the amount of calories or sugar you consume.

The following information is based on the size of a Grande serving, which is 16 ounces.

Tried and tested (but quite boring) – the Caffè Americano

There are 15 calories, 0 grams of sugar and 225 milligrams of caffeine in this 16-ounce drink, which is made by pouring hot water over espresso. This makes it fat and sugar free, yet packed with energy for your morning.

If you want a little more creaminess, Meshulam recommends ordering it with frothed coconut milk.

This contains a fraction of the calories you’d see in other menu favorites, like the Caffè Latte, which contains 190 calories per serving and just 150 milligrams of caffeine.

Indulgence without being overloaded with sugar: the Cappuccino

This frothy Italian classic contains 140 calories, 12 grams of sugar and 150 milligrams of caffeine.

It’s a great option if you’re in the mood for “something special,” Carli said.

If you’re avoiding sugar, this drink is a good option because the richness of the milk makes it feel delicious with only about a tablespoon of added sugar.

Other menu items, like the tempting Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino, contain 55 grams of sugar, almost 5 times as much as this cappuccino.

Lean, mean and low in caffeine! Frozen flat white

This drink contains less caffeine than some other options, which is a good option for people who want to start the morning more calmly. It is a simple drink composed solely of steamed milk and espresso.

It contains 150 calories, 11 grams of sugar from the milk and 130 mg of caffeine. Other cold drinks that are low in caffeine usually contain many more syrups and ingredients.

For example, there is the Iced White Chocolate Mocha, which contains 390 calories and 42 grams of sugar and 150 mg of caffeine, made from vanilla syrup, chocolate sauce and whipped cream.

You won’t believe it’s only 120 kcal: Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso

This drink is a viral favorite on the internet, for cold coffee lovers and lactose intolerants alike.

It contains 120 calories (about the same as a large banana), 12 grams of sugar and 255 mg of caffeine.

The key to this drink’s healthiness is that the combination of oat milk, brown sugar and cinnamon tricks your taste buds into thinking the drink is full of sugar, even though it contains much less than other menu items, Carli said.

An espresso Frappuccino of the same size contains 210 calories, 42 grams of sugar and 155 mg of caffeine.

Decadent AND a real energy booster: Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew

For a drink with ‘sweet’ in the name, this drink contains shockingly little sugar: 14 grams in total.

In addition, there are 110 calories and 185 mg of caffeine. Carli said this option is great if you’re craving something decadent.

The drink contains cold brew, two pumps of vanilla syrup and a ‘dash’ of cream with added vanilla flavoring.

It contains less than half the calories found in similar drinks, such as the Cinnamon Caramel Cream Cold Brew, which contains 250 calories, 32 g of sugar and only 185 mg of caffeine.

The triple zero: Mint Majesty Herbal Tea

If you prefer to wake up only to bird sounds, this herbal tea is a good way to start your day, Meshulam said.

It contains 0 calories, 0 sugar and 0 caffeine, but is packed with antioxidants from spearmint, peppermint and lemon verbena.

Mint, as Meshulam points out, is particularly good for digestion. Herbal teas have been shown to have long-term benefits for cardiovascular health and may help soothe body inflammation Harvard scientists.

Green tea

For another 0-calorie, 0-sugar option with more of a kick, you can order a green tea, which contains 25 milligrams of caffeine. This drink, beloved by wellness gurus, helps you absorb caffeine into your system more slowly because it contains a secret weapon: L-theanine.

This amino acid balances the effects of caffeine, Meshulam said. If coffee gives you the jitters, this could be a good trade.

Compared to other tea-based options, such as the Chai Tea Latte, this option is great for people who are avoiding sugar and calorie intake. The Starbucks chai contains 42 grams of sugar, 95 mg of caffeine and 240 calories.