8 Coffee Orders From Popular Chains to Stay Away From Right Now — Eat This Not That

By Ghuman

Introduction

If you’re a coffee lover, you know that there are some coffee orders from popular chains that you should stay away from right now. Whether it’s because of the high sugar content, the artificial ingredients, or the lack of nutritional value, these coffee orders are not the best choice for your health. In this article, we’ll be looking at 8 coffee orders from popular chains that you should avoid right now. We’ll be discussing the nutritional information, the ingredients, and the health risks associated with each order. So, if you’re looking to make healthier coffee choices, read on to find out which orders you should stay away from.

8 Coffee Orders From Popular Chains to Stay Away From Right Now — Eat This Not That

When it comes to coffee, it can be hard to know what to order. With so many options, it can be difficult to know which drinks are the healthiest and which ones should be avoided. Here are 8 coffee orders from popular chains that you should stay away from right now.

1. Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha

This drink is a combination of espresso, steamed milk, and white chocolate syrup. While it may sound delicious, it contains a whopping 510 calories and 59 grams of sugar. That’s more than double the amount of sugar in a can of soda!

2. Dunkin’ Donuts Caramel Swirl Iced Coffee

This iced coffee is made with Dunkin’ Donuts’ signature espresso blend, milk, and caramel swirl syrup. It contains a whopping 420 calories and 56 grams of sugar. That’s more than a can of soda!

3. Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino

This popular Frappuccino is made with espresso, milk, and caramel syrup. It contains a whopping 420 calories and 56 grams of sugar. That’s more than a can of soda!

4. Dunkin’ Donuts Mocha Swirl Iced Coffee

This iced coffee is made with Dunkin’ Donuts’ signature espresso blend, milk, and mocha swirl syrup. It contains a whopping 420 calories and 56 grams of sugar. That’s more than a can of soda!

5. Starbucks Vanilla Latte

This latte is made with espresso, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup. It contains a whopping 330 calories and 37 grams of sugar. That’s more than a can of soda!

6. Dunkin’ Donuts Vanilla Chai Latte

This latte is made with Dunkin’ Donuts’ signature espresso blend, milk, and vanilla chai syrup. It contains a whopping 330 calories and 37 grams of sugar. That’s more than a can of soda!

7. Starbucks Hot Chocolate

This hot chocolate is made with steamed milk and mocha syrup. It contains a whopping 420 calories and 56 grams of sugar. That’s more than a can of soda!

8. Dunkin’ Donuts Hot Chocolate

This hot chocolate is made with Dunkin’ Donuts’ signature espresso blend, milk, and mocha syrup. It contains a whopping 420 calories and 56 grams of sugar. That’s more than a can of soda!

When it comes to coffee, it’s important to be mindful of what you’re ordering. These 8 coffee orders from popular chains should be avoided if you’re looking to make healthier choices. Instead, opt for a black coffee or an unsweetened iced tea.

Fall hasn’t officially arrived, but that hasn’t stopped national coffee chains from rolling out their tasty fall-inspired beverages. Pumpkin is king, and apple is queen, with classics like Pumpkin Spice Latte being ubiquitously served hot, iced, frozen, or swirled alongside a spattering of differently decadent apple-flavored selections.

And while the hype is real (#PSL anyone?), are these drinks worth it when it comes to your health and wellness goals? That’s what we set out to discover with the help of Amy Goodson, a registered dietitian and certified specialist in sports dietetics.

The following is her list of eight fall-inspired coffee drinks to stay away from (or at least modify with healthier substitutions) listed from bad to absolute worst.

We’re not saying you can’t enjoy the toasty notes of pumpkin spice or sweet caramel apple, but you should know some of these drinks are brimming with far more calories and saturated fat than a McDonald’s Big Mac cheeseburger!

For each drink listed below, Goodson suggests a better ordering option to save on calories and extra unwanted fats, carbs, and sugars.

RELATED: 6 Frozen Pies To Leave on Grocery Store Shelves Right Now

peet's caramel apple lattes
Peet’s Coffee / Facebook

PER MEDIUM-SIZED HOT LATTE WITH WHOLE MILK: 390 calories, 11 g fat (7 g saturated fat), 45 mg cholesterol, 200 mg sodium, 61 g carbs (0 g fiber, 50 g sugar) 13 g protein

While pumpkin reigns supreme, other fall-flavored coffee drinks have been loaded up with sugar and calories. A blend of apple butter syrup, espresso, steamed milk, and caramel sauce, the medium Caramel Apple Latte comes in at 390 calories with 13 grams of protein and 50 grams of sugar.

“Although having a decent amount of protein, this drink is also heavy in sugar and fat, making it a not-so-optimal option,” Goodson says.

The better option? “If you just have to get your fall fix, a better option would be to get the small 12-ounce Caramel Apple Latte made with 2% milk,” suggests Goodson. “Have them put in half the syrup and ask them to go light on the caramel sauce or skip it altogether.”

holding starbucks pumpkin spice latte
Starbucks / Facebook

PER GRANDE HOT: 390 calories, 14 g fat (9 g saturated fat), 50 mg cholesterol, 230 mg sodium, 52 g carbs (0 g fiber, 50g sugar), 14g protein,

The long-awaited seasonal return of PSL from Starbucks still comes with a decent punch of calories and sugar. Containing 50 grams of added sugar, it has almost twice the recommended daily allowance for adults and about one-third of the recommended amount of fat for one day, warns Goodson.

The better option? “Order a tall Pumpkin Spice Latte made with 2% milk,” says Goodson. “Ask for one to two pumps of pumpkin spice and skip the whip!”

people holding krispy kreme's pumpkin spice lattes in front of doughnut box
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts / Facebook

PER MEDIUM WITH 2% MILK: 400 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 40 mg cholesterol, 300 mg sodium, 64 g carbs (0 g fiber, 37 g sugars) 15 g protein

Krispy Kreme is not exactly known for healthy options, and its specialty coffees are no exception. Goodson notes you could enjoy two glazed donuts for fewer calories than what the medium Pumpkin Spice Latte with 2% milk contains at 400 calories.

The better option? “To cut back, enjoy a small 12-ounce Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee for 140 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 22 grams of sugar,” Goodson says.

person holding tim hortons' pumpkin spiced iced capp and pumpkin spiced muffin
Tim Hortons Cafe and Bake Shop / Facebook

PER MEDIUM: 470 calories, 25 g fat (17 g saturated fat), 81 mg cholesterol, 125 mg sodium, 62 g carbs (<1 g fiber, 58 g sugar), 4 g protein,

According to Goodson, Tim Hortons’ medium Pumpkin Spice Iced Cappuccino has more calories and saturated fat than a KFC fried chicken breast and a little more than two days’ worth of added sugars. “It may be wise to fulfill your pumpkin spice craving elsewhere,” she says.

The better option? “If you’re looking for a limited-time seasonal beverage at Tim Hortons, a better option would be the small 12-ounce Roasted Hazelnut Latte for 140 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, and 20 grams of sugar,” Goodson suggests.

biggby coffee's caramel apple ciders
Biggby Coffee / Facebook

PER MEDIUM FROZEN CIDER: 515 calories, 16 g fat (12 g saturated fat), 37 mg cholesterol, 153 mg sodium, 90 g carbs (0 g fiber, 75 g sugar) 2 g protein

You may be tempted to try Biggby’s Frozen Caramel Apple Cider this season because who doesn’t love cider? But Goodson says the medium-sized version of this frozen treat has two and a half days’ worth of added sugars, more calories than a Sonic regular chili cheese dog, and the same amount of saturated fat!

The better option? “Some good news—if you need a burst of fall in your mouth, try a Pumpkin Spice Latte with nonfat milk (hot or cold) and no whip cream for less than 200 calories,” Goodson says. “If you must have your whip cream, you could size down to a small 10 oz nonfat Pumpkin Spice Latte and still come in under 200 calories.”

dutch bros coffee caramel pumpkin brûlée-freeze
Dutch Bros Coffee / Facebook

PER MEDIUM BLENDED: 760 calories, 23 g fat, 70mg cholesterol, 350mg sodium, 121g carbs (0 g fiber, 109 g sugars), 16g protein

This decadent drink lives up to its name with a whopping 760 calories, 23 grams of fat, and 109 grams of sugar, almost four days’ worth of the recommended intake of added sugars for adults. Yikes. “You would be better off eating two slices of pumpkin pie and still save on calories and sugar,” Goodson says.

The better option? “Try their medium Nitro Cold Brew at just 20 calories,” suggests Goodson. “You can even get one to two pumps of your favorite flavor to customize it to your liking.”

dunkin frozen coffee
Courtesy of Dunkin’

PER MEDIUM COFFEE: 890 calories, 31g fat (17g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 100 mg cholesterol, 260 mg sodium, 146g carbs (0 g fiber, 139g sugar), 8 g protein,

According to Goodson, this frozen fall favorite is a juggernaut, with more calories than an average meal. Let that settle in. It is also overflowing with fat, carbs, and added sugar, containing more than four times the daily recommended amount of added sugar for adults. Even if you were to order the Pumpkin Swirl Frozen Coffee with skim milk rather than cream, it still would be a hefty 680 calories. For comparison, a McDonald’s Big Mac cheeseburger is 560 calories.

The better option? “A healthier option at Dunkin’ would be the medium 16-ounce Vanilla Cold Brew with Sweet Cold Foam for 90 calories, 3 grams of fat, and 11 grams of sugar,” Goodson says. “You could request one pump of pumpkin spice syrup for a little fall flavor.”

caribou coffee pumpkin white mocha cooler
Caribou Coffee / Facebook

PER MEDIUM: 850 calories, 21 g fat (13 g saturated fat), 70 cholesterol, 330 mg sodium 155 g carbs (0 g fiber 147 g sugar), 7g protein

The medium Pumpkin White Mocha Cooler is decadence in a cup. Goodson says this rich beverage is heavy-laden with calories, fat, and sugar, has enough calories to outmatch a large meal, and contains almost five days’ worth of added sugars. If that wasn’t enough, it also has a significant dose of sodium.

“The XL version of this drink has a staggering 1,280 calories, almost an entire day’s worth in just one beverage!” warns Goodson. “And if you think the hot option might be better for you, watch out because the hot Pumpkin White Mocha still comes in at 730 calories with 95 grams of sugar!”

The better option? “The Caribou Coffee medium iced Pumpkin Crafted Press still delivers the seasonal taste at just a fraction of the calories, fat, and sugar, coming in at an acceptable 180 calories,” Goodson suggests.

holding panera coffee
Panera Bread / Facebook

Goodson recommends the following tips for making your coffee order healthier.

  • Order a smaller size! By default, a smaller coffee will be lower in calories and sugar.
  • Choose low-fat dairy milk as the base. Dairy milk provides one gram of protein per ounce, so, in a 16-ounce latte, you typically get close to 16 grams of protein to balance out the sugar rush you might experience from some of these beverages. Some of the plant-based alternatives are much lower in protein and might leave you with an energy crash shortly after drinking your cup of joe.
  • Watch your pumps! Many baristas are pumping lots of sugar into your cup of coffee with syrup. Three, four, maybe five pumps of flavor, and you are looking at a lot of sugar. Try getting one pump of syrup to give you some flavor without all the sugar.
  • Skip the whip! Whips and drizzles add fat and sugar! Yep, they are tasty, but cutting back on these can help you cut back on calories as well.
  • Check out the nutrition facts before you order! Some of these beverages have more calories than a meal, and if you are drinking one with a meal or snack, you could be taking it overboard quickly, especially if pumpkin spice calls your name every day.