How Pumpkin Spice Latte fits into your Diet
By Sian on Oct 26, 2009 with Comments 10
Fall is a special time. Lots of great things occur. My kids go back to school. Football season starts again. I can finally stop wearing shorts and can (hopefully!) get back into my favorite jeans. But, even more important to an entire legion of my friends is the return of the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. I have friends who wait all year long to be able to order this drink. It’s immensely popular and stores have a tough time keeping the syrup on the shelves. Have you ever wondered if this drink was worth it? Let’s take a look.
From the Starbucks website, the 16 ounce Grande size, made with 2% milk, contains 380 calories, 13 grams of fat, 51 grams of carbohydrates and 49 grams of sugar. That’s a hefty dose for one beverage – even if it does just come once a year. How can you enjoy this drink without ruining your daily calorie count? Order a Tall or even a Short size – an option that’s not listed on the menu board but is available. Have your drink made with non-fat milk and one less pump of the flavored syrup. Skip the whipped cream and you’ve dropped the drink into a more tolerable caloric range.
If you really must have the original drink in all its caloric goodness, what are some ways you can work it off? After all, what’s life without a treat now and again, right? Those 380 calories translate to walking a four mph pace for two hours, running a seven mph pace for 20 minutes, bikram yoga for 45 minutes, or bicycling 45 minutes. Is is worth it to you? Only you can decide – but know what you are getting before you step up to the counter.
Another alternative – you could make one yourself at home. While this Biggest Loser Frosty Pumpkin Smoothie isn’t warm, it does only have 132 calories.
Are you a Pumpkin Spice Latte devotee? How do you make it fit in your diet?
Visit DietsinReview
There is something about the Fall that just screams for little indulgences like the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte! I had my first one today and it made me a very happy girl.
Yummy…coffee..any kind will do!
[...] pumpkin spice latte calories | Girl, Get Strong! [...]
Awesome article. I have never had this drink, but have heard about it. Now that I know how to burn off the calories. I think I will try it!! thanks
I love it…always get it w/skim milk no whipped cream,but I’ve never had it any other way,so I don’t know what I’m missing.
I am not one that does those blended drinks but switching out to non fat milk & no whipped cream is the best way to help yourself! I like the sugar free syrup in mine for taste but they don’t have pumpkin sugar free so I go for the other flavors. BUT do prefer places that just brew a flavored coffee.
Great article. A lot of people aren’t aware of how many calories they are drinking with one of those drinks…not to say it’s not worth every calorie though
YES! It is worth every calorie!
I order it nonfat and with only one pump of pumpkin spice. You still get the pumpkin spice flavor without all of that sugar. And, often, they don’t charge you for the one pump!
Great tip, Andrea, thanks! Mmmm…love pumpkin spice. Certainly helps warm up our cool Vancouver fall weather