My Top 5 Fave Summer Starbucks Drink Orders

Last week I was on Instragram and watched two very popular bloggers show off their “healthy” Starbucks drink orders. Neither of these bloggers are dietitians, but many people follow them and seek out their nutrition advice because they are both thin and present themselves as “healthy.” Both of their drink orders contained pumps of sugar-free syrup and one blogger used the hashtag #guiltfree to talk up her drink order. I like both of these bloggers and follow them for fashion and fitness, but this just got me thinking…

I enjoy hearing about what other people are ordering and I get ideas from other bloggers and friends, but it kind of irked me that artificial sweeteners were being touted as “guilt-free” because A) I hate that term and B) artificial sweeteners consumed on the reg can wreak havoc on your gut, metabolism, and cause sugar cravings.

I have written a post here about artificial sweeteners, but let’s recap the facts. While artificial sweeteners are deemed “safe” by the FDA in moderate amounts I’m concerned about how they can alter the gut microbiota (I’m a big fan of protecting and enhancing gut health). Also since these sweeteners are very sweet but calorie free (sounds like a good thing right?) they are confusing to your body…some studies show that while it may help manage a “craving” in the moment you might overcompensate on sugar later because your body did not get the caloric reward and craves sugar even more.

In all honesty I have a diet coke or a pump of sugar-free syrup in my coffee every once and awhile, but I’m very aware of my body’s response and cravings the rest of the day as a result. I notice on those days I feel hungrier and crave more sugar. So should you consume the real sugar (not the SF option)?

Well, consuming regular sugar will also have you seeking out more sweetness throughout the day, so I say limit it to 0.5-1 pump to lessen the sweetness and sugar intake to help keep cravings in check.

On that note, here are my 5 favorite summer drink orders that don’t contain artificial sweeteners 😉

1. iced cappuccino + double cold foam
   *I typically get soy or coconut milk and yep ask for double the foam 😉
2. iced green tea + unsweetened + no water
   *Kind of a boring but really refreshing and there are great health benefits to green tea.
3. cold brew + splash almond milk OR cold brew cold foam
4. passion iced tea + unsweetened + no water + 1 inch coconut milk + 1/2 pump vanilla
5. iced blonde americano + splash almond milk + 1/2-1 pump chai

What are your favorite summer Starbucks bevvy’s?!?

xx,
Alix