I no longer heart Starbucks. Yeah, I said it.

So today before my daughter's dance class, I dashed into Starbucks for a nice little warm-me-up drink. 

Settled on white hot chocolate, and virtuously made it a tall (in Starbucksland that's a small).

Got home, went to log it in CC, and guess what?

460 CALORIES

WHAT DO THEY PUT IN IT???

I'm flabbergasted.  And the biggest FORMER Starbucks nut on the planet.  I'm just going to avoid the place completely from now on and make my own Swiss Miss.

Maggie

In the same vein, I was really hooked on BK (Burger King) Mocha Joe this past summer. Then, I thought, I bet i can make something equally as good that will be much cheaper both on my wallet and my belly!! So, here's my recipe. 

10 cups coffee (regular or decafe)

4pkgs. CARNATION, FAT FREE, NO SUGAR ADDED hot chocolate drink mix

16 - 20 TBS Fat free half and half. 

Mix together and store in fridge. Can be poured over ice or heated in the microwave for a hot drink in the winter. 

It's less than 1 W.W. point p/2 cups. About 25 calories p/2 cups. 

YUMMMMM!!!!

on the starbucks website's nutrition section, they have a whole list of  low-calorie beverages.  try getting everything with soy milk, it tastes so good and reduces the caloric content so much.  i used to love just regular cappuccinnos, but now that i get a tall french vanilla capp made with soy it's so much better and only 120 calories i believe!  and even if you move up to a grande or venti it's under 200.

mrandrzejak: Dec 02 2008 18:33 -- they have colories listed next to all foods

I was traveling for Thanksgiving this year, and when we had to stop at Burger King for on-the-highway dinner, there was a big poster hanging up right by the cash register with calorie contents of all their foods. That was in NJ, but unfortunately, they don't do that in OH where I live!

Well, honestly, look at what you are ordering: white hot chocolate.  What exactly did you think it was made from?  Last time I checked, whole milk and creamy white chocolate syrup were not diet-friendly. 

Order it with fat-free milk, half the syrup and no whip cream.  That should help.  You don't have to give them up completely.

That's what I do. It is all about the skim milk.  I also recommend using Stevia, which is a natural, calorie free, sweetener.  Totally healthy unlike Splenda and such!  you get used the taste and it is worth it!  

Original Post by fallingstars27:

Well, honestly, look at what you are ordering: white hot chocolate.  What exactly did you think it was made from?  Last time I checked, whole milk and creamy white chocolate syrup were not diet-friendly. 

Order it with fat-free milk, half the syrup and no whip cream.  That should help.  You don't have to give them up completely.

Like I said, usually my order is for a non-fat, no-whip white mocha.  I know whole milk is high in calories! Seriously, didn't know how mad the white mocha stuff was! 

When they introduced the new signature hot chocolates, my favorite barista (lol) Thad encouraged me to try one and enthused "yeah and they're made with skim milk!"  Now, I don't know if he said that b/c he knows that's what I always ask for and he figured he'd just put it out there like that and make mine that way, or if some of them are always made skim, but that carried over into my assumption that the white hot chocolate wouldn't be that bad.  Assuming that, I decided since I was getting a tall and not a venti, I'd let myself enjoy the whipped cream - I didn't know that adds like 120 calories!  I wish I had all the calorie counts of everything memorized, since to assume makes an out of of you and me and all that. Lesson learned, I don't think it makes me a dummy or anything, just someone who is trying their best and still slips up at times.

Anyway, this morning I had a large normal coffee, with 2 tbsp of half and half and splenda... 50 calories and I actually enjoyed it more b/c it's yummier when reheated. I'm still going to look for that nutrition sheet so I can enjoy the lighter versions every so often.  Cutting back isn't the worst idea anyway, save some money and help my diet at the same time.

Original Post by cellophane_star:

Original Post by pchart:

I asked for a nonfat black tea latte, and the guy said I wanted a Chai tea latte.  I told him I dislike sweet drinks, and he said not to worry.  I was one of the worst drinks I ever had there.  You mean to tell me they can't figure out how to put warmed milk in a black tea without a recipe.  I know better than to order a speciality drink there now.

 You have order a "tea misto" instead... steeped tea with steamed milk.

 No, they are different, a black tea latte is a tea bag and steamed milk.  A misto is a tea bag, water and steamed milk. 

You can get them (or any other coffee shop) to do it, you just have to say that you want a tea bag, in a cup covered with steamed non-fat (or whatever) milk.  Then do the hand motion that means "that's it"  and taste it before you leave.  If you're going to pay $4 for a beverage that actually costs 24 cents to make, then you should be getting what you asked for.

Well, I am definately not a big fan of SB, but I would reccomend getting a steamed milk (made with skim milk of course) but ask them to make it with only half milk and to fill the rest of the cup with hot water.... then go for whatever sugar-free flavour shot you like best!  That is probably the best you can do calorie-wise besides tea or coffee (unless you load yours with loads of cream and sugar...) and seems like more of a treat than just tea or coffee.

Original Post by bliss2009:

Original Post by fallingstars27:

Well, honestly, look at what you are ordering: white hot chocolate.  What exactly did you think it was made from?  Last time I checked, whole milk and creamy white chocolate syrup were not diet-friendly. 

Order it with fat-free milk, half the syrup and no whip cream.  That should help.  You don't have to give them up completely.

Like I said, usually my order is for a non-fat, no-whip white mocha.  I know whole milk is high in calories! Seriously, didn't know how mad the white mocha stuff was! 

When they introduced the new signature hot chocolates, my favorite barista (lol) Thad encouraged me to try one and enthused "yeah and they're made with skim milk!"  Now, I don't know if he said that b/c he knows that's what I always ask for and he figured he'd just put it out there like that and make mine that way, or if some of them are always made skim, but that carried over into my assumption that the white hot chocolate wouldn't be that bad.  Assuming that, I decided since I was getting a tall and not a venti, I'd let myself enjoy the whipped cream - I didn't know that adds like 120 calories!  I wish I had all the calorie counts of everything memorized, since to assume makes an out of of you and me and all that. Lesson learned, I don't think it makes me a dummy or anything, just someone who is trying their best and still slips up at times.

Anyway, this morning I had a large normal coffee, with 2 tbsp of half and half and splenda... 50 calories and I actually enjoyed it more b/c it's yummier when reheated. I'm still going to look for that nutrition sheet so I can enjoy the lighter versions every so often.  Cutting back isn't the worst idea anyway, save some money and help my diet at the same time.

 The signature hot chocolate is a mix made with non fat, water, and this coco mix (im sure it has some butter and milk in it too I'll have to check at work)

If you ask they will gladly even do have sig. hot chocolate and half non fat. It won't come out as rich but it will cut your calories X)

I still like Starbucks. My treat is a Grande Americano which is about 2-4 cals. It's a treat for me because I can't afford it everyday.

I used to work at Starbucks and we got drinks for free.  Imagine what that did to my waist line :)  Plus working in that rushed environment (although I loved it!) made me feel like I needed something to eat all the time, which rolled over into Mochas and Mocha Fraps.

Point being, after a while, I realized that all I really needed was a tall coffee, no cream, no sugar, just plain old coffee (a couple cubes of ice to cool it down) and I was set for the day.  After a few weeks of black coffee you'd like it too.  Guess how many calories are in one small cup of coffee.. hardly any.  All those people who order the fancy drinks aren't really looking for coffee, they are looking for comfort.  If you want to wake up in the morning just drink your coffee (even if you use cream)

However I do plan on going back at some point and ordering the most fattening thing I can think of because it's so delicious, breve mocha.  It's made with half and half instead of milk.  How about that for a cheat day!

Original Post by katydoll:

Original Post by bliss2009:

Original Post by fallingstars27:

Well, honestly, look at what you are ordering: white hot chocolate.  What exactly did you think it was made from?  Last time I checked, whole milk and creamy white chocolate syrup were not diet-friendly. 

Order it with fat-free milk, half the syrup and no whip cream.  That should help.  You don't have to give them up completely.

Like I said, usually my order is for a non-fat, no-whip white mocha.  I know whole milk is high in calories! Seriously, didn't know how mad the white mocha stuff was! 

When they introduced the new signature hot chocolates, my favorite barista (lol) Thad encouraged me to try one and enthused "yeah and they're made with skim milk!"  Now, I don't know if he said that b/c he knows that's what I always ask for and he figured he'd just put it out there like that and make mine that way, or if some of them are always made skim, but that carried over into my assumption that the white hot chocolate wouldn't be that bad.  Assuming that, I decided since I was getting a tall and not a venti, I'd let myself enjoy the whipped cream - I didn't know that adds like 120 calories!  I wish I had all the calorie counts of everything memorized, since to assume makes an out of of you and me and all that. Lesson learned, I don't think it makes me a dummy or anything, just someone who is trying their best and still slips up at times.

Anyway, this morning I had a large normal coffee, with 2 tbsp of half and half and splenda... 50 calories and I actually enjoyed it more b/c it's yummier when reheated. I'm still going to look for that nutrition sheet so I can enjoy the lighter versions every so often.  Cutting back isn't the worst idea anyway, save some money and help my diet at the same time.

 The signature hot chocolate is a mix made with non fat, water, and this coco mix (im sure it has some butter and milk in it too I'll have to check at work)

If you ask they will gladly even do have sig. hot chocolate and half non fat. It won't come out as rich but it will cut your calories X)

Thanks!  Ya know, I don't really unheart Starbucks.  They make delicious things that I can enjoy in moderation, and now that I have heard so many suggestions, I will have lots of new things to try. :)  Except that breve thing, which sounds addictively rich and delicious, and therefore dangerous.  

I go to starbucks allll the time and i get an Americano with one pump of mocha. i get my chocolate and coffee kick for about 25 calories! but i guess thats only for people who like espresso??

I never go to coffee shops, but I do make my own hot chocolate from milk, ghiradelli or almond bark chocolate, whip cream, and cinnimon and the way I calculate it mine too has about 450 calories.

It's so tasty though I drink it all the time this time of year. :)

maaan

this thread is making me crave a frappuchino :)

Last night my friend and I met up at Starbucks just to chat - we had this planned a while ago - and I got a tall skinny caramel latte - 90 calories and it was really good!!!!! 

Starbucks I officially heart you again. 

Yea, I like the Americano as well. Starbucks' coffee tastes burnt and bitter, but the espresso isn't too bad, so I  opt for the Americano.

To the poster that adds&n bsp;mocha to the Americano--gr eat idea!  I'm going  ;to try that next time.

As for the "skinny" drink s--blech.  I don't know&n bsp;what came over me, bu t one day I got a&nb sp;"skinny mocha."  I sai d those words in hushed&n bsp;tones to the barista  because I felt really dum b saying "skinny mocha."   Also, I refuse to o rder a drink using   the tall/grande/venti lingo.  Eff that.  I always say small/medium/large and my drink has never been screwed up (with respect to size) and the barista has never corrected me! But yea, the skinny&n bsp;drinks taste like azz.  I'd rather just get a small nonfat latte with no crappy sugar-free flavors, know what I'm sayin'?

I think I can shed some light on where the calories come from

I put on 10 pounds working in the one of the Australian versions of starbucks (Gloria Jeans, to any aussies out there). I think the extra calories come from a few different ingredients. The flavouring put into drinks like white chocolate are almost entirely sugar. Add to that they have thickening and "smoothing" agents in them (basicall fat) to make drinks creamier. Also, starbucks cups are a full 4oz larger than a normal cafe small. At least that's the case here, I don't know if that's true overseas.

Hope this helps to demystify

Original Post by mismonday:

Also, starbucks cups are a full 4oz larger than a normal cafe small.

 That's true, the short looks TINY compared with all the other sizes, but it actually the size of a regular mug (8oz).  So you get the venti (20oz)and it's almost 3 times that size, then fill it with sugar.  It's not hard to go overboard with portions that big.

I totally feel your pain!  My default drink of choice is a nonfat vanilla latte . . .

I hardly get them anymore because though I looked it up once, I don't remember the number of calories in one and frankly, I don't really want to know.  LOL.

Do they offer sugar-free white chocolate syrup?  That, for me, tends to be a saving grace . . . While aspartame and artificial sweeteners aren't very good for you, sometimes when you're dying for something like Starbucks, it softens the calorie blow a little . . .