Coffee drinks like hot lattes topped with whipped cream and sweet syrups may be a delicious treat every now and then, but you definitely shouldn’t drink them regularly and we’ll tell you why. According to registered dietitian Samantha Cassetty for TODAY, most Americans consume between 19 and 25 teaspoons of added sugars daily, some of which mainly come from drinking sweetened drinks, such as coffee.
Such sugar intake on a regular basis can quickly lead to a variety of health problems, including weight gain. Cassetty recommends choosing unsweetened coffee drinks to avoid excess calories. She says that many flavored coffees with lots of toppings can quickly transition from being a beverage to basically a calorie-loaded dessert.
Let’s take a look at some of your favorite Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts drinks so that you know just how many calories and sugars are hiding in your go-to orders.
A grande Salted Caramel Mocha at Starbucks rakes in 470 calories and 59 grams of sugar. Wow! Similarly, a medium Dunkin’ Donuts Pumpkin Spice Latte with skim milk contains 55 grams of sugar and 340 calories. You’re definitely better off sticking to a simple cup of hot black coffee, with a splash of milk if needed.
What’s your usual Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts order? Let us know your favorite coffee drinks in the comments below!