Health expert advises to choose Dunkin’s drinks instead of Starbucks’ iconic pumpkin spice latte because it has way less sugar
In recent weeks, both Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts have announced that their respective pumpkin spice lattes will be available once again on the menus of their respective coffee shops. Both of these may be considered delicious autumn treats; yet, they are both extremely high in sugar, sodium, and calories, three things that a nutritionist would advise you to stay away from.
In comparison, the grande size of the iced pumpkin spice latte sold at Starbucks comes in at 16 fluid ounces (fl oz), whereas the small size sold at Dunkin’ Donuts is 16 ounces (oz). The difference between the sizes of the beverages offered by Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks is virtually indiscernible, despite the fact that Starbucks’ beverage is somewhat bigger by around an ounce.
In spite of the fact that the two beverages are about the same size, the one sold at Starbucks contains a greater quantity of unhealthy filler than the other. It has an additional 13 grams (g) of carbohydrates, an additional 40 milligrams (ml) of sodium, an additional 12 grams (g) of sugar, 10 grams (g) of fat, more than twice the amount of cholesterol, and 150 additional calories. In addition to that, it boasts a little higher protein content than its rival.
Because neither beverage is particularly beneficial to one’s health, the consumption of either one is probably best avoided by anyone who is trying to control their weight, sugar, or sodium intake for whatever reason.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), only these two beverages account for more than half of an individual’s daily sugar requirement that must be adhered to in order to maintain their health.
On August 30, Starbucks brought back its Pumpkin Spice Latte drink. For many enthusiastic coffee lovers, this was a sign that summer was coming to an end and that it was time to start preparing for fall.
The beverage is very well-liked, and in the 2010s, it gave rise to a subculture that was frequently made fun of for labeling the beverage as “basic” due to the high number of times it was ordered during the brief period of the year when it was offered for purchase.
In the year 2020, Dunkin’ Donuts introduced its own version of the beverage in an effort to cash in on the popularity of pumpkin spice-flavored items. Additionally, it is offered to their menu weeks earlier than Starbucks does, with the intention of seizing the market by the middle of August.
In spite of the fact that they share a very similar brand identity, the beverages contain very different ingredient lists and nutrition labels from one another.
A whooping 370 calories are contained in one serving of the beverage sold at Starbucks, which is rather small in comparison to other beverages.
Because the grande size of Starbucks’ beverage contains 45 grams of sugar, consumers who select this option come dangerously close to exceeding their daily sugar quota after consuming only one 16-ounce serving of the beverage. A person should consume no more than the amount of sugar that corresponds to 17 percent of the carbohydrate intake that is suggested for them each day.
It also has a high fat level, with 16 grams of fat accounting for more than one fifth of the daily fat intake that the FDA suggests a person restrict themselves to.
The well-known iced beverage also has a significant cholesterol content, as its 55 milligrams contribute to approximately a fifth of your daily allotment of cholesterol.
Additionally, it has a salt content of 190 mg, which is a negligible amount compared to the recommended daily intake of 2,300 mg.
All of these values are higher than the comparable measures seen in Dunkin’s beverage. The small 16-ounce iced latte has a total of 220 calories, which is a 40 percent decrease from what Starbucks offers.
Only six grams of fat are found in it, which is approximately one third of the total amount. In addition, a beverage from Dunkin’ Donuts contains only 20 milligrams of cholesterol, whereas a beverage from Starbucks contains over 50 milligrams.
Both the total carbohydrate count, which is 34 grams, and the sodium content, which is 150 milligrams, are far lower than what their rival offers.
However, for Dunkin, these are the smallest numbers that can go, as the little size is the smallest size that it offers among its products and services. The tall (small, 12 fl oz) or short (8 fl oz) version is a better choice for someone who is health aware but still wants to try the fall drink. The grande size is believed to be a medium at Starbucks, but in general, it is considered to be a medium size at the coffee shop.
Despite the fact that Dunkin’s beverage is superior to that of its rival, it will be difficult to find a dietician who would recommend that their patients consume either beverage.
Kristin Kirkpatrick, a dietician at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute, told Healthline that the combination of pumpkin and spices offers a wide variety of positive health effects.
“Unfortunately, that is analogous to stating that apple pie is healthful just because it contains apples. It is taking an idea that is healthful and converting it into a drink that is more along the lines of a dessert.
A dietitian from the University of California, San Francisco named Katie Ferraro stated that due to the high amount of sugar that is contained in the beverage, she does not even consider it to be a coffee drink.
“Pumpkin is a healthy food in and of itself. Nutmeg and cinnamon are both good to use. However, pumpkin spice lattes are all about the sugar, she said in an interview with Healthline.
‘… Do not consume a coffee drink if it has more than 25 to 50 calories, since this is the recommendation that I give to my customers. The majority of people’s calorie budgets just do not allow for the consumption of pumpkin spice lattes. Imagine it as a sundae made with ice cream and other toppings. It’s more of a snack or something to have after dinner.’
