Starbucks has started the all-new flavour pumpkin spice latte. And in no time, it become one of the most popular and healthy substitutes for coffee since 2003. It is a Starbucks signature drink that combines pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.
Is Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte Really Healthy?
However, people wonder if it is really healthy or not. We analysed all the ingredients and their effects on the human body. But we found that the Pumpkin Spice Latte is NOT HEALTHY.
We are not just saying this in the air, but we will clearly show you how it is not healthy. It is made with 2% milk foam that has around 390 calories, 14 grams of fat, carbs is 52gms and protein content is just 14% however it has around 50 grams of sugar. This means that a classic pumpkin spice latte has carbs and calories equal to a mean and sugar of more than two days of standard intake.
How is Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Made?
Let’s make Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte:
Ingredients
1 capsule of Brewed Coffee
1 cup whole milk
3 Tbsp Pumpkin Spice Syrup
1/2 cup whipped cream
1 pinch of pumpkin pie spice (For garnishing)
Procedures
- Heat and froth milk with a frother.
- Brew coffee in an espresso machine or stovetop moka pot
- Now, put Pumpkin Spice Syrup into a mug.
- The next step is to add hot espresso.
- Stir them together
- Fill 3/4th portion mug with a hot froth of milk
- Now, garnish it with whipped cream.
- Sprinkle it with pumpkin pie spice!
We recommend that you use fresh, homemade pumpkin syrup. If you don’t know how to make it, here is the recipe:
- In a pot, combine the following ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- One teaspoon cinnamon or 4-5 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- Half a teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- Four heaping tablespoons of pumpkin puree
- Mix all of them well over medium heat.
- Ensure that sugar is dissolved properly.
- Now, continue cooking over low heat for the next 5-6 minutes.
- Turn off the heat before it comes to a boil.
- Next strain the mixture when it cools.
- And store it in an airtight container in a cold place.
Ways to Make Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Healthier
High sugar content and the use of processed ingredients in most pumpkin spice lattes make it unhealthy. However, if you like it you don’t need to ditch your taste. Either you can consume it on an occasional basis or you can choose to make a healthier version of this tasty treat.
We have discovered some alternative ways to make your pumpkin spice latte healthy with all natural ingredients. These alternatives are sure to satisfy your craving for real flavors without harming your health.
Let’s look into some of the best ways to make a healthy Pumpkin spice latte:
Use Less Syrup:
In a hot venti of Pumpkin Spice Latte, approximately five pumps of pumpkin syrup are used which contains as high as 165 calories. Adding the milk and whipped cream makes it even more unhealthier. To save yourself from consuming this many calories, you can ask the barista to cut syrup to only three pumps. For a healthier option, you should also reduce your sugar intake.
Swap the Milk:
The 2% use of milk can be swapped with some healthier alternatives. One such alternative is soy, coconut, or almond milk. Soy milk offers sweetness and you can reduce sugar usage. The second option, coconut milk adds unique flavour and gives it a frothy texture. While almond milk is unsweetened but very creamy.
Don’t Use Whipped Cream:
Whipped cream is made with vanilla syrup and heavy whipping cream. Together these substances contain 80 calories per serving. However, whipped cream is generally for garnishing and doesn’t add much to the taste. So you can consider avoiding it.
Go For Smaller Portions
The best way to cater to your taste without ditching your health is to cut your portions. A larger Pumpkin Spice Latte contains around 300 calories. But you can choose to take a small portion and cut on calories intake.
The Bottom Line:
The taste of Pumpkin Spice Latte has become one of my favourite drinks. However, we all know how unhealthy it is. So you can replace milk with almond milk and omit the whipped cream to cut almost half of the calories. Additionally, we advise you to take it on an occasional basis or cut the size portion.
Also read our blog: The Ultimate Guide to the Valencia Diet: Benefits, Meal Plans, and More
