The 50 Starbucks orders that may be most damaging to your health
- Starbucks has a menu that consists of over 100 drinks, desserts, and pre-packaged meals.
- Some of these items may be more damaging to your health than others, based on the calorie, fat, sugar, and protein content.
- INSIDER used a ranking system to determine the 50 items that may be more damaging to your health — and you maybe be surprised at what you see.
There is nothing wrong with sipping on a salted caramel frappuccino with extra whipped cream or treating yourself to a double chocolate chunk brownie for Starbucks. After all, aside from providing necessary nutrients, the main purpose of food is to enjoy it.
But as diets like keto and Weight Watchers become increasingly popular, people are becoming more cognizant of what they eat. And your daily Starbucks order could be doing more damage to your diet than you may think.
Since the nutritional value of a food item can’t be based on one number, INSIDER examined the calories, fat, sugar, and protein of every item on Starbucks’s extensive menu using the nutrition section on the website. (Though, full disclosure, we skipped anything on the secret Starbucks menu. You’ll have to calculate that on your own.) Each menu item was assigned specific point values based on calories, fat, sugar, and protein content. Those with the highest number of points were deemed the “worst.”
It should be noted, however, that there is no such thing as good food or bad food; better food or worse food.
Additionally, all drink information was determined based on a grande order with 2% milk unless otherwise specified.
Keep scrolling to see the 50 Starbucks menu items that may be most damaging to your health, if consumed on a daily basis.
50. Macadamia oat cookie
This vegan cookie is high in fat, but that likely comes from the protein-packed nuts that fill the cookie.
49. Chocolate hazelnut croissant
Though this pastry has more calories, fat, and sugar than the plain chocolate counterpart, it has more protein which gives it a slight health edge.
48. Chocolate croissant
If you crave a croissant in the morning, it might be best to order the ham and cheese croissant, which has less calories, fat, and sugar, and almost three times the protein for a more filling meal.
47. Mango dragonfruit lemonade Starbucks refreshers
The higher sugar content in this drink stems from the lemonade and pieces of dragonfruit. If, however, you’re looking for a low-calorie and low-fat beverage, this isn't a bad option.
46. Salted cream cold foam cold brew
Compare the salty-sweet drink to the standard cold foam cold brew, which contains only 30 calories, 5 grams of sugar, and no fat.
45. Strawberry acai lemonade Starbucks refreshers
Much like it's mango dragonfruit counterpart, the sugar content stems from the lemonade and real fruit chunks.
44. Espresso Frappuccino blended coffee
To cut calories of this dose of caffeine, opt for fewer pumps of the espresso syrup.
43. PB&J protein box
Despite having a whopping amount of protein, the sugar and fat content in this box makes it one of the worst pre-packaged meal selections.
42. Morning muffin
Though this a.m. pastry boasts a decent amount of protein, the sugar and fat content put it on the worst choices list.
41. Strawberry yogurt scone
For lighter fruit-filled breakfast, opt for on of Starbucks' many yogurt bowls.
40. White chocolate mocha
Ordering this drink sans whipped cream can save you some calories and fat.
39. Owl sugar cookie
Obviously, a sugar cookie will have high sugar content. But it doesn't hurt to treat yourselves to cute confections.
38. Coffee Frappuccino blended coffee
As far as Frappuccinos go, this one is fairly low in fat, even with whipped cream.
37. Pumpkin spice Frappuccino blended crème
For a lighter drink with the same flavors, the classic pumpkin spice latte — sans whipped cream — has half the fat.
36. Classic coffee cake
This pastry packs a lot of sugar and fat.
35. Caramelized apple pound cake
This confection has a decent amount of protein for a dessert.
34. Blueberry muffin
To get your blueberry fix for less fat and sugar, try the hearty blueberry oatmeal, which has 2.5 grams of fat and 13 grams of sugar.
33. Pumpkin bread
This fall treat has a high amount of fat and calories.
32. Iced white chocolate mocha
Cutting out the whipped cream would drastically cut the fat content.
31. Vanilla bean crème Frappuccino blended crème
To get the same flavor for fewer calories, fat, and sugar, opt for a simple vanilla latte.
30. Banana nut bread
Though the treat is high in fat and sugar, it's low in sodium which is rare for a baked good.
29. Kitchen sink cookie
When a cookie includes marshmallows, chocolate chunks, and salty pretzels, it's bound to have a lot of sugar.
28. Chai crème Frappuccino blended crème
To save on calories and fat — and for an extra boost of protein — consider ordering a basic iced chai latte with skim milk.
27. Salted caramel mocha
Skipping the whipped cream and caramel sauce, as hard as that may be, can save you about 110 calories and 11 grams of fat.
26. Maple pecan muffin
This salty-sweet treat is perfect for a fall day.
25. Steamed apple juice
Though this is lower in calories and fat than many Starbucks beverages, the lack of protein and high sugar content make it less than ideal for an afternoon pick me up
24. Salted caramel mocha crème Frappuccino
This item has almost 400 mg of sodium.
23. Serious strawberry Frappuccino
For something that's equally fruity and refreshing, try the Teavana shaken strawberry green tea infusion, which has only 45 calories and no fat.
22. Steamed caramel hot chocolate
Given the number of syrups in this drink — mocha, toffee nut, and vanilla — it no surprise the sugar content is so high. For a low-sugar option, try the regular hot chocolate, which has 43 grams of sugar.
21. Iced salted caramel mocha
For a lighter option, ask for almond milk and no whipped cream.
20. Triple mocha Frappuccino
According to the Starbucks website, "each layer of whipped cream is a dollop of rich dark mocha sauce." So it's no surprise that the sugar content is so high.
19. Horchata almondmilk crème Frappuccino
As with most frappuccinos, the calories and fat can be cut by ordering without whipped cream.
18. Matcha green tea crème Frappuccino
For a lighter energy boost, try the iced green tea latte. This beverage has 200 fewer calories, 8 fewer grams of fat, and 20 fewer grams of sugar.
17. Iced lemon pound cake
If you are hoping to cut calories and sugar, you can try removing the icing from this tasty treat. But what fun is that?
16. Apple cider doughnut
The icing is what gives this confection it's high calorie, fat, and sugar content.
15. Mocha Frappuccino blended coffee
Opting for a non-dairy milk and skipping the whipped cream can make this drink a little lighter.
14. Double chocolate chunk brownie
Surprisingly, this isn't the "worst" chocolate baked good on the list.
13. Cupcake crème Frappuccino blended crème
With no substitute on the menu, you can make this drink a little healthier by ordering with a non-dairy milk.
12. Ultra caramel Frappuccino
For an icy caramel drink that has almost half the calories, fat, and sugar, try the iced caramel macchiato.
11. Pumpkin spice Frappuccino blended beverage
An icy twist of the seasonal favorite, this drink boasts an alarming amount of sugar.
10. Confetti sugar cookie
Would you expect a sugar cookie to be low is the sweet stuff?
9. White chocolate mocha Frappuccino blended coffee
Skip the whipped cream for fewer calories and fat.
8. Java chip Frappuccino blended coffee
Switch up the milk choice for a lighter drink.
7. Old-fashioned glazed doughnut
The sweet glaze gives this treat it's flavor, as well as it's high calorie, fat, and sugar content.
6. Chocolate chip cookie
Since this treat is quite large, consider sharing it with a friend.
5. Caramel Frappuccino blended coffee
To lighten the drink, skip the caramel drizzle on your whipped cream and ask for fewer pumps of syrup.
4. Horchata almondmilk Frappuccino blended beverage
The high sugar and fat content is what puts this drink in the top five for worst Starbucks orders.
3. Salted caramel mocha Frappuccino blended beverage
Non-dairy milk and no whipped cream can go a long way to lightening this drink.
2. Caramel cocoa cluster Frappuccino blended coffee
Made with coconut milk, this is the worst drink to order. The high sugar content is the result of toffee nut syrup, caramel sauce, and whipped cream.
1. Pumpkin scone
This seasonal treat may be the worst food to order at Starbucks, given its lack of nutritional value and high sugar content — almost twice the daily recommendation for women and 10 more grams than the daily recommendation for men.
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