Are you a frequent Starbucks drinker? If so, you're probably familiar with the struggle of trying to find a healthy option at your local coffee shop. The key is to keep it simple! Here are some tips for ordering your next drink that will help you maintain your weight loss progress while still enjoying the occasional treat. 

Keep it Simple

The key to a healthy Starbucks drink is to keep it simple. Don't get too fancy with your ingredients, and don't add any extras that will make your drink more caloric or sweet than it needs to be.

Starbucks Lattes 

One Grande (16 fl oz) latte has approximately 31 grams of sugar (4 pumps of syrup). This is a considerable number of calories for something that's supposed to be healthy! One of the leading sources of added sugars in diets is sugar-sweetened drinks. 

Starbucks Iced Coffee

An Americano Iced Coffee with 2% milk has 23 grams of sugar and 110 calories per cup, but adding whip cream and caramel syrup, can add 70-90 calories – making this drink almost 300 calories total!

To be clear: this isn't about cutting out all the fun things in life. It's about ensuring you get what you want from each sip without adding in unwanted sugar and calories. You can have your coffee, just hold the donuts (and extra whip)!

Change Your Drink Size 

If you usually order a venti-size beverage, opt for a no-whip grande-size drink instead. The difference in the drink is 8 oz, which does not benefit you immensely regarding caffeine intake. All you are doing is consuming more calories. Try to get accustomed to a "less is more" attitude and savor every last drop!

If you're craving one of Starbucks' famous holiday drinks (we LOVE some pumpkin spice) or other specialty beverages that are larger than 16 ounces (the standard size), order them in the "tall" size instead of venti or grande – that way you'll still be able to get your fix without overdoing it on calories. Another option is to see if Starbucks has sugar-free syrup or go with fewer pumps of syrup overall.

Iced Coffee

If you're getting an iced drink, the best option is unsweetened iced coffee or tea. Try a cold brew or nitro brew with a pump of sugar-free vanilla. If you CAN afford a few extra calories, add a splash of half and half, but if you are on a strict diet, hold the cream. The one pump of vanilla should help level out the bitterness that black coffee brings. 

Tea Options

Starbucks has various tea options, including hot, iced, or London! If you are a fan of creamy drinks, try sipping on a London Fog Tea. This drink has a milk splash to add some flavor profile variation. You can even ask for one pump of syrup to sweeten slightly or alternative milk, such as soy or coconut milk, to give a sweet twist! 

Sugar-Free Syrup Drinks

Sugar-free syrups are the way to go if you can't consume straight black coffee. These are available at most Starbucks locations and come in various flavors, including vanilla, caramel, and cinnamon dolce. You can ask your barista to add a pump or two of these syrups to any drink – they'll happily oblige!

The catch is that while sugar-free syrups are calorie-free (and therefore won't impact your weight loss goals), they do contain carbs – so if you're watching your blood glucose levels closely or trying to keep your carb intake low, it's best not to rely on them too much. If you are desperate for that sweetness, bring along some sugar alternatives such as monk fruit or stevia with you to mix into your coffee. 

Skip the Extra Creamy Frappuccinos

Starbucks Frappuccinos and lattes are high in calories, sugar, and fat. A tall Caramel Frappuccino with whipped cream has 256 calories, 13 grams of fat, and 46 grams of sugar, which is creeping up to the recommended daily intake for most Americans.

Keep These Tips in Mind When Ordering Your Next Drink at Starbucks!

• Keep it simple – less is more. 
• Order a tall or grande size drink instead of a venti.
• Opt for unsweetened iced coffee or tea with less than 5 grams of sugar per serving. 
  • For example, try an Iced Americano with no water; it's only 3g of carbs!
• If you like sweetened drinks, add sugar-free syrups instead of regular ones. They still have calories but not as many! 
  • You can also ask for half & half instead of whole milk in any hot beverage; this will cut back on extra fat and calories while giving you that creamy texture we all love.

We hope you found our list of the best Starbucks drinks when trying to lose weight helpful. Cutting back on sugar is an excellent habit to get into anyway, so hopefully, we have helped you create new habits that will stick and make a lasting impact! Hope you enjoy these Starbuck's weight loss drinks!