Starbucks Guilt

Yes! Information, please. I have been trying to figure out the nutrition profile of the USDA-sponsored Beef Board's promotion of the Quizno's Steakhouse Beef Dip Sub, with no luck yet. CSPI suggests fast food and carry-out nutrition info should be on the menu board, but sometimes I would be happy if it were accessible ANYWHERE.

Yeah, not so great news for your health. But how can I give up my daily coffee? It's just too hard, even though my wife would love for me to give it up.

I enjoy strong espresso too much to ever give it up (but I'm no fan of Starbucks coffee). The thing is that most people (including myself) see coffee and cake as a snack. The Big Mac we see as a meal - this makes the Starbucks calorie count even more damaging.

It's the sort of thing you might get for morning tea, or when you go out for coffee in-between meals.

You have been warned ;-)

USFoodPolicy: You're right - there's no info on their site about any of the subs... just like thousands of other take-outs.

Coffee itself isn't bad. Just do without the whipped cream, flavoured syrups and gallon-sized cups. I give myself an 8-oz cup with a couple tablespoons of half and half and some sugar. it adds up to 80 cals. Just fine, by me. if the coffee is made well, the right blend, the right strength, real sugar and real cream, a small amount is so satisfying and just what I need. No need to glut on the triple mochachino white chocolate almond rocha sprinkled with chocolate shavings served in a half barrel.

Also, if you get soy milk instead of whole milk, you don't need to add sugar
(the vanilla soy milk they use is already sweet) and a tall latte is 120 cal.

I have found that if I use a packet of Splenda and two tablespoons of light whipping cream (in the can) in my coffe, I have a terrific coffee in the morning for about 40 to 50 calories. Also, if you order a regular size coffee at Starbucks and ask them to use skim milk, sugar free vanilla and splenda- it makes a terrific latte!

3fatchicks.com has tons of nutritional info, fast food and carryout

No one has to give up coffee because of the calories. I personally HATE Starbucks' coffee because it's too bitter for me. I brew my own, add a tablespoon or so of CoffeeMate CarbSelect and a packet of Splenda and for 25 calories, I have a coffee drink that's awesome. And I bake my own lower calorie biscotti that are awesome as well. Healthy living isn't about giving everything up, it's about making healthy substitutions.

Interesting perspective, Spectra. Using chemical additives to foods in order to produce high-fat taste at a low-fat calorie count is not "healthy". Drinking Diet Coke instead of Coke is not making anyone healthier. Eating WHOLE FOODS, naturally low in fats and staying away from chemical ladden processed foods will not only improve your physique but will make you healthier from the inside out.

It's all a matter of what you can/can't live without. I know putting lots of additives in food is not a great thing, but if you consume it in moderation, I don't see any real problem with it. I eat a diet very high in unprocessed foods and I have the excellent health to prove it. I do like to enjoy a coffee treat once in a while and I don't want it to contain 400 calories, so I use Splenda and the creamer. Usually I use skim milk in my java, but when I want a treat, that's what I do.

Check out Starbucks' website for nutritional listings of all their beverages and some of their foods:

http://www.starbucks.com/retail/nutrition_info.asp

i actually go to Starbucks about once a week. i don't drink coffee otherwise, but i love their frappuchino lights. Its a diet Frap, and i honestly cannot tell the difference between the two. The Espresso frap light is the lowest in calories, 100 calories for a tall, 140 calories for a grande and 180 calories for a venti. i usually get a venti espresso frap light (180 cals for 24 oz, not too bad) or a grande mocha frap light or grande caramel frap light (both 180 calories) i just try and keep it under 200 calories, and the grande white chocolate frap light and the grande pumpkin spice frap light are also both under 200.

i count the frap light as my lunch on those days, like a smoothie. A venti espresso frap light has 8 grams of protien and 20% RDI of calcium, after all.

Some days i just get a 24 oz venti iced cafe latte with nonfat milk and a shot of sugar free vanilla. 130 calories, 12 grams of protien and 35% RDI of calcium.

So you can see how that could work as a liquid lunch. Its quite filling and not too bad for you at all. Coffee has antioxidants and has been proven to have health benifits, like preventing diabetes.

If you really want to eat something at Starbucks, try the biscotti. Starbucks' biscotti is between 80 to 110 calories each.

Thank you for all the comments you all, my first time to visit Starbucks and i was worried about the calories, I also wanted to ask you for comments on the caffeine effects of the drinks what is your experience?