Those Starbucks snacks are calling to you, aren’t they? Whether you’re standing in line waiting your turn or idling at the drive-through, those sugary treats are saying your name. But resist their siren song, or at least avoid a few of these not-so-healthy Starbucks snack treats.
Not All Snacks Are the Same
Regardless of where they’re from, all snacks are not created equal. One snack can fall into the “healthy” category, while another can scare your cardiologist! The most unhealthy snack choices are those high in sugar or saturated fat.
Cinnamon Coffee Cake
It is a buttery and cinnamon-infused baked dream, but Starbuck’s Cinnamon Coffee Cake is one snack you might want to avoid. One slice is 380 calories, with a whopping 35 grams of sugar and 15 grams of fat.
The Cinnamon Coffee Cake is a Starbucks fan favorite, but it’s a snack that should be left on the pastry shelf. You might even be better off with a Starbucks Cookies and Cream Cake Pop instead. At just 140 calories, even the sugary cake pop is a better option!
Iced Lemon Loaf
Lemon lovers, beware! The Starbucks Iced Lemon Loaf is a delicious lemony slice of heaven, but it’s also 470 calories for one serving. With 40 grams of sugar and 15 grams of fat, it’s safe to say this snack is not a healthy choice.
The sugar content alone is problematic. A diet high in sugar can lead to chronic medical conditions like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends 25 to 36 grams a day of sugar for a healthy adult. A Starbucks Iced Lemon Loaf is well over the recommended amount of sugar.
Red Velvet Loaf
The Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf looks like a year-round Valentine’s Day treat, but this snack won’t warm your heart. At 410 calories, 28 grams of sugar, and 16 grams of fat, it’s a dietician’s nightmare. Sure, it’s decadent and delectable, but also very unhealthy.
Excess saturated fat in a person’s diet increases the risk of heart disease and obesity. The US Department of Health and Human Services 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends a limit of 22 grams of saturated fat a day for adults. Unfortunately, the Starbucks Red Velvet Loaf accounts for over a third of that amount in just one slice.
Are Baked Goods Bad for Your Health?
The pastry window at Starbucks is not your friend. Take a glance at the snacks to avoid at Starbucks, and you’ll notice a common theme – baked goods. So, does this mean that all baked goods are bad for you? Not necessarily. For example, the Starbucks Petite Vanilla Scone is a baked good and clocks in at a mere 120 calories with 4.5 grams of fat.
Foods like bread, cakes, and donuts often contain butter, oils, or cheese. As a result, these items have high amounts of saturated fats. Additionally, processed foods often contain saturated fats, including packaged items like crackers, cookies, and biscuits. As with most things in life, consume baked goods in moderation and choose healthier options.
Tell Us What You Think