April 25, 2007

You Ask, I Answer: Starbucks Drinks

I drink tall soy chai lattes. How do they compare to the coffee drinks?
-- Jacqueline

A tall soy chai latte contains very little fat (just 2% of the saturated fat we are allowed a day) and will set you back 210 calories.

Most of these calories come from the 36 grams (9 teaspoons) of sugar. Unfortunately, Starbucks only uses vanilla-flavored soymilk for their products (if they used plain soymilk, you would save yourself a teaspoon of added sugar).

If you were to get a tall black tea soy latte, you would save 70 calories and 14 grams (3 ½ teaspoons) of sugar.

A daily soy chai latte is a sugar overload, in my opinion. However, if you thoroughly enjoy this drink two times a week, I wouldn’t be overly concerned.

On your soy chai latte days, though, be more aware of your sugar consumption (i.e.: replace a pastry with whole wheat toast, and skip dessert after your meals).

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