For many, the morning routine involves savoring a slow start, gradually awakening, and indulging in the comforting ritual of sipping a cup of coffee. However, in today's fast-paced world, some find themselves rushing through mornings with minimal time to spare—simply throwing on clothes, brushing their teeth, and grabbing a quick coffee to-go. When convenience calls, swinging by a fast-food coffee shop can seem like a practical solution. Sadly, not all fast-food coffees are created equal in terms of healthiness.
Coffee, in its essence, can contribute positively to your daily routine. Beyond the energizing effects of caffeine, research suggests that coffee can potentially extend your lifespan, lower the risk of diabetes, and aid in weight management. However, the addition of excessive cream, sugar, artificial syrups, and the like may negate these health benefits. According to the CDC, regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has been linked to adverse health conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Moreover, consuming excessive sugar through beverages eliminates the potential benefits of fiber, which plays a crucial role in slowing down sugar absorption into the bloodstream, thereby causing sudden spikes in blood sugar levels.
It's important to note that these facts are not intended to deter you from your favorite coffee shops. Instead, we've compiled a list of some of the unhealthiest fast-food coffee drinks you may want to avoid, enabling you to make better choices the next time you find yourself in a time crunch.
1) Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino
PER 16-OUNCE GRANDE: 420 calories, 17 g fat (11 g saturated fat), 260 mg sodium, 61 g carbs (0 g fiber, 61 g sugar), 5 g protein
When it comes to enjoying a delightful cup of coffee, Starbucks has become synonymous with convenience and global accessibility. Their extensive menu offers a plethora of choices, including cold brews, espressos, hot coffees, and tantalizing Frappuccinos. However, amidst this array of options, it's essential to be aware that some of them contain an alarming amount of sugar—equivalent to that of a pint of ice cream. Notably, The Nutrition Twins, Tammy Lakatos Shames, RDN, CDN, CFT, and Lyssie Lakatos, RDN, CDN, CFT, highlight the Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino as one of the unhealthiest fast-food coffees available.
2) McDonald's Mocha Frappe
PER MEDIUM: 490 calories, 20 g fat (13 g saturated fat), 140 mg sodium, 72 g carbs (0 g fiber, 60 g sugar), 8 g protein
If you find yourself rushing to McDonald's for a quick breakfast fix, the allure of a creamy blended coffee drink might be hard to resist, especially on a scorching day when you crave a refreshing indulgence. However, before you give in to temptation, it's important to be aware of the nutritional consequences. Surprisingly, the McDonald's Mocha Frappe, while capable of satisfying your sweet tooth, comes with a staggering 60 grams of sugar.
According to The Twins, Tammy Lakatos Shames, RDN, CDN, CFT, and Lyssie Lakatos, RDN, CDN, CFT, relying on liquid calories rather than solid food can trick your brain into feeling less satiated, potentially leading to overconsumption throughout the day. Moreover, this beverage doesn't hold back when it comes to the impact on your arteries, delivering a day's worth of saturated fat—13 grams, to be precise. Comparatively, other menu items like the infamous Big Mac may be higher in sodium and calories, but the Mocha Frappe is not far behind in terms of sugar and saturated fat content.
3) Dunkin' Donuts Butter Pecan Frozen Coffee With Whole Milk
PER MEDIUM: 720 calories, 9 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 330 mg sodium, 150 g carbs (3 g fiber, 142 g sugar), 9 g protein
The nutrition information of Dunkin' Donuts' Butter Pecan Frozen Coffee immediately grabs attention, revealing a staggering 142 grams of sugar (equivalent to 34 teaspoons). Undoubtedly, this high sugar content is one of the most concerning aspects of this beverage. However, what truly raises alarm bells, according to The Nutrition Twins, is the extensive list of ingredients used in this fast-food coffee drink.
A quick glance at the ingredient list reveals a startling count of thirty-five different components, with an unfortunate majority being added sugars and preservatives. Astonishingly, this single drink contains seven distinct forms of added sugar, including liquid cane sugar, pure cane sugar, sugar, sweetened condensed milk, high fructose corn syrup, brown sugar, corn syrup, dextrose, and caramel flavored syrup. The remaining ingredients mainly consist of preservatives, with coffee listed as the eighth ingredient.
The Nutrition Twins express their concern regarding the overwhelming presence of added sugars and preservatives in this beverage. The excessive use of such ingredients may have adverse effects on your health. Therefore, if you come across Dunkin' Donuts' Butter Pecan Frozen Coffee, it is essential to be aware of its sugar and ingredient overload, and consider healthier alternatives for a more balanced and nourishing beverage choice.
4) Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino
PER GRANDE: 470 calories, 22 g fat (14 g saturated fat), 280 mg sodium, 65 g carbs (3 g fiber, 60 g sugar), 5 g protein
The Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino is a delightful concoction that combines caramel syrup, coffee, milk, and a delectable combination of caramel drizzle and crunchy caramel topping. However, the richness of flavors comes at a cost—a high sugar content.
Unsurprisingly, this scrumptious Frappuccino is loaded with sugar. But if you find yourself craving a blended beverage to beat the heat and satisfy your sweet tooth, there are alternatives with lower sugar content. Consider opting for a tall-sized Espresso Frappuccino, which contains 28 grams of sugar—significantly less than the Caramel Ribbon Crunch's 60 grams.
While it's tempting to indulge in sweet treats, it's important to enjoy them in moderation and make conscious choices about the amount of sugar you consume. So, if you're in search of a cooling and satisfying beverage on a hot day, remember to exercise caution and opt for options with reduced sugar content, like the Espresso Frappuccino.
5) Dunkin' Donuts Caramel Swirl Frozen Coffee
PER MEAL: 680 calories, 9 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 180 mg sodium, 141 g carbs (0 g fiber, 134 g sugar), 8 g protein
Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, from Balance One Supplements, warns against another option from Dunkin' Donuts that should be limited or completely avoided—the Dunkin' Donuts Caramel Swirl Frozen Coffee.
The high sugar content in this beverage can have detrimental effects on health. "Excessive consumption of added sugar can contribute to the development of health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease," cautions Best. Moreover, the substantial amount of sugar present in this drink can lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, followed by crashes that leave you feeling fatigued.
6) Dairy Queen Mocha MooLatté
PER MEDIUM: 620 calories, 23 g fat (14 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 240 mg sodium, 94 g carbs (2 g fiber, 82 g sugar), 11 g protein
When visiting Dairy Queen, it's no secret that health-conscious options may not be at the top of the menu. There's absolutely no shame in indulging in our favorite sweet treats now and then. However, if you're seeking a daily coffee drink for your morning commute, the Dairy Queen Mocha MooLatté falls short in terms of making a wise choice.
With a staggering 82 grams of sugar, this beverage far exceeds the recommended daily intake. Furthermore, it contains a gram of trans fat, which is less than ideal. According to the World Health Organization, it is crucial to limit trans fat consumption to no more than 2.2 grams per day, with an ultimate goal of keeping it as close to zero as possible.
7) Dunkin' Donuts Signature Caramel Latte
PER MEDIUM: 410 calories, 14 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 190 mg sodium, 61 g carbs (0 g fiber, 57 g sugar), 11 g protein
When it comes to Dunkin' Donuts, it's no secret that their coffee drinks often surpass their actual donuts in terms of sugar and calorie content. The Signature Caramel Latte is certainly no exception. What may come as a surprise is that this coffee drink contains more saturated fat than most of the donuts offered by the fast-food chain. In fact, the amount of sugar in this latte is equivalent to devouring four Dunkin' Chocolate Creme Donuts.