My general rule of thumb for Starbucks is that if you order it skim (nonfat milk), without whipped cream, and maybe ask for a little less sweetness, that it shouldn’t be so bad on the calories. Boy was I wrong! Twice this week! So I’m going to go into what I got and what I could have gotten instead. And for Starbucks, I try to stick to under 200 calories for a Grande (16 ounce).
Eggnog Latte 
Definitely a huge difference! Seriously, 350 calories? I mean, I knew it would be bad but I didn’t think it would that that bad! And this is fot a TALL drink! There is something special about getting the latte that is slightly better than a misto but really, if you do it consistently, you won’t notice any difference. You could also get an Americano with steamed eggnog (Americano = espresso and hot water). Basically, do anything that will cut down on the amount of eggnog but still give you that yummy flavor. Never ordering the latte again!
Creme Brulée Latte
Just so you know first of all, they can make this drink year-round. I asked what was in it once and its just their caramel syrup and toffee nut syrup. I don’t know what they do to it to make it 270 calories. That is just crazy. It is extremely sweet to me so it is probably just a whole lot of pumps of syrup to really jack up the calories. This time I gave you the two healthier options. Since we know what is in it, we can ask for less syrups. You could also really make it less by ordering a misto again instead of a latte!
Moral of the Story
Have I learned my lesson? Of course not! I will still order the eggnog latte once a year, just not as frequently as I would live (mmm I love eggnog!!!) Maybe this weekend I will give the eggnog misto a go 🙂 Oh, and notice that the calories for the Eggnog was for a tall (12 ounce) drink and the Caramel Brulee was for a Grande (16 ounce). Hm, something to think about! Did you know also that Starbucks has a “short” drink? It is 8 ounces. My friends make fun of me when I order it (the cup really looks like its kid-sized) but its nice when you want a small treat!
What is your favorite Starbucks drink? What is your splurge item and what is your healthier go-to item?
Today must be the day to post about Starbucks! Robb Wolf’s site has a post about it, too. I’ll try to put the link here, not sure if it will work…it’s for homemade options of a pumpkins spice latte and the eggnog one…and since you have super-duper fresh eggs, you can really feel confident in the safety of your egg yolk! 😉
http://robbwolf.com/2011/11/17/seasons-drinkings/
I’m going to try the pumpkin one tomorrow for my “sit at soccer practice” drink!
For some strange reason, my spam catcher thought you were untrustworthy! LoL. I marked you as safe 😉
~Ang
Thanks! I thought that may have happened from the link…didn’t get a chance to try the pumpkin one yet…it’s been too crazy…but tomorrow after the girls are at school and it’s quiet…most certainly!
I thought I posted a comment, but it’s gone!
Today on Robb Wolf’s blog, there was also a Starbuck’s post…along with it were 2 recipes for homemade drinks…one was a pumpkin spice latte and the other was the eggnog one! Since you have super-duper fresh eggs, you should have no trouble making the eggnog one! I’m going to make the pumpkin one for tomorrow when I am freezing at the soccer fields! Here’s the link to the blog (there are links to other great pumpkin recipes in the blog post! Check them out….)
http://robbwolf.com/2011/11/17/seasons-drinkings/
I am obsessed w/ their pumpkin spice latte. It is pretty bad too on the calories….but its SOOOO good!
Me too! I just ask for less syrup. 25 calories a pump and they put 4 pumps in their Grande. You get used to it if you slowly cut back (ask for 3 instead and then eventually you might be able to go down to 2, saving you 50 calories!). I am loving the 3 pump non-fat Gingerbread Latte right now!
~Ang