Starbucks Addiction: My Top 5 Low(er) Calorie Drinks

The first step is admitting that you have a problem. Hi, I'm Renee, and I LOVE STARBUCKS.

I am not a person who goes to Starbucks every day because (1) I cannot afford that and (2) now that it's not right across the street within walking distance, I have to plan to go before work since it's out of my way. I usually go about once a week or maybe once every two weeks.

All that being said, I love Starbucks. I love when the red cups come out for the holidays and I can finally get my peppermint mocha with the chocolate shavings on top. I love reading on the porch, enjoying an icy frappucino in the summer. Most of all, I love when fall begins and the pumpkin spice lattes (PSLs) become my exclusive order for the next 3 months. Two years ago, I called Starbucks on the first day of fall and asked when they would start making the PSLs. When they told me that it was that day, I told the guy on the phone I'd be there in 5 minutes. He laughed because he thought I was kidding. When I showed up 5 minutes later and told him that I was the crazy girl on the phone, he laughed again, but there was fear in his eyes. This year, they came out early, so when I went through the drive thru and saw the sign, I squealed excitedly to the girl in the speaker that I needed to change my order to the PSL. Seriously, I love it.

So I couldn't do without it on my diet. Starbucks has a lot of great options for my Sparkpeople, calorie-counting lifestyle. You just have to be careful which ones you choose (and check what the barista wrote on the cup to make sure they didn't give you that whipped cream or full fat milk when you asked for no whip and nonfat). My top 5 low(er) calorie drinks are listed below.

NOTE ON SIZING: I refuse to order coffee in anything less than a grande based on the pricing; I can't pass up the 30 cents more for an upsize. Some of the drinks below I order in venti also. The sizes are listed where I put the nutrition. For those who don't know, Starbucks will let you order a "short" (kids size) that is 8 ounces, which I sometimes do for hot chocolate, but for the coffee drinks, I just don't think it's worth it.

They make this sign for the crazies.

#1: The PSL (seasonal)
If you couldn't tell, I am CRAZY about this drink. I've tried to recreate it at home, but it just doesn't work. Since it's only available in the fall, I allow myself to splurge on this one even though it's a bit higher in calories than the other drinks, but I only order a grande. It's so worth it. To order, say "Grande nonfat, no whip pumpkin spice latte WITH magic spices." They will know what you mean when you say magic spices, but they may also laugh at you. Consider yourself warned.

Calories: 260, Fat: 0g, Carbs: 50g, Protein: 14g, Calcium: 50%, Caffeine: 150mg

The sprinkles.

#2: Peppermint Mocha Latte
This is advertised as a holiday drink, but you can get it year-round, it just won't have the dark chocolate sprinkles on the top (which are pretty much the best part). I try to get this in grande because it is higher calorie. To order, say "Grande nonfat, no whip peppermint mocha latte...WITH sprinkles."

Calories: 280, Fat: 3g, Carbs: 59g, Protein: 12g, Calcium: 35%, Caffeine: 175mg

#3: Skinny Cinnamon Dolce (Hot or Iced)
I order this year-round, either iced or hot, in a venti size. It's sugar free cinnamon syrup and steamed nonfat milk with espresso. To order, say "Venti skinny cinnamon dolce latte" or "Venti skinny cinnamon dolce iced." Fun fact: the iced version has more caffeine because Starbucks brews their iced coffee double strong.

HOT Calories: 160, Fat: 0g, Carbs: 24g, Protein: 15g, Calcium: 50%, Caffeine: 150mg

ICED Calories: 110, Fat: 0g, Carbs: 17g, Protein: 10g, Calcium: 35%, Caffeine: 225mg

#4: Mocha Frappucino Light
I order this in a grande because a venti is too much frappucino (life lessons). It's not the full fat version with whipped cream on top, but it is yummy and really hits the spot on a hot summer day. To order, say "Grande mocha frappucino light."

Calories: 140, Fat: 1g, Carbs: 34g, Protein: 4g, Calcium: 10%, Caffeine: 95mg

#5: Skinny Caramel Macchiato
I order this in venti, and it has sugar free vanilla syrup, nonfat milk, espresso, foam, and a caramel drizzle. It's so rich and you're being so good, but it feels so bad. To order, say "Venti skinny caramel macchiato."


Calories: 160, Fat: 1g, Carbs: 25g, Protein: 13g, Calcium: 45%, Caffeine: 150mg

Honorable Mention (Non-Coffee Favorites): Chai Latte (Hot or Iced)
Pretty much the only tea I drink. I used to order this all the time, but since I can get the Tazo chai concentrate in regular and decaf at Target for about $4 (it makes around 6 servings), I never order it anymore. It's still delicious, it just tastes as good at home for less than $1. I listed the calories for a grande size in both hot and iced. To order, say "Grande (decaf) nonfat chai latte."

Calories: 200, Fat: 0g, Carbs: 44g, Protein: 8g, Calcium: 25%, Caffeine: 100mg

Honorable Mention (Non-Coffee Favorites): Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Their hot chocolate is so good. I order a "short" (kids) size for just a taste, and - bonus - it's under $2! To order, say "Short nonfat, no whip peppermint hot chocolate."

Calories: 170, Fat: 2g, Carbs: 35g, Protein: 6g, Calcium: 20%, Caffeine: 15mg




One more hint: PLEASE pay with a registered gift card!! You save about 80 cents on each venti drink, you get a free drink on your birthday, and you can easily reload it online. Why wouldn't you use one??