7 Healthy Hacks for Your Pumpkin Spice Latte

Fall's most famous drink is—spoiler alert—often loaded with sugar and doesn't have an entire lot of actual pumpkin. Make these healthy tweaks to your next order for a far better, more balanced sip.


If there's one thing that's synonymous with fall, it is the pumpkin spice latte. We understand why: the drink is delicious, and with hits of cinnamon and a dollop of topping on top, it feels comforting to carry a warm glass between your hands and luxuriate in it sip by sip. And while pumpkin, in its wild, is really a super-healthy food full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, the sugar-filled PSL doesn't have an entire lot of it. this is often why the infamous drink can quickly derail your diet—and wreak havoc on your blood glucose and digestive system—if it becomes a go-to order.

So next time you place an order for a delicious PSL, keep these healthy hacks in mind. They'll make the drink a touch less indulgent without sacrificing any of the decadent flavors.

Watch your portions. This is a simple one, but a tip worth repeating: choose the littlest size at your cafe to simply eliminate a crazy amount of calories. If Starbucks is your top choice, choosing a Tall over a Grande (without the other healthy changes) can prevent 80 calories, while a brief (the eight-ounce cup you almost certainly forgot existed) saves 170 calories

Go slow with syrup. Ask for one pump of the pumpkin spice syrup over the quality three during a Tall drink. (Grandes get four and Ventis get five!) That way you'll still taste a waft of the flavoring you are looking for without overdoing it. Want more natural flavor? Sprinkle cinnamon on top, then swirl into your drink.

Mix up your milk. Starbucks uses 2% milk as their default, but other coffee shops may use whole—once you recognize what you would like, make certain to specify so it's crystal clear. Switching to skim can save calories, but remember that the absence of fat means the sugar may hit your bloodstream quicker. you'll also choose nut bowls of milk, like almond and coconut, but sweetened varieties—think vanilla almond milk over regular—is used most frequently, which contains extra sugar.

Consider a cappuccino. It uses less milk than a latte, so it's a simple swap that salves calories without drastically changing the taste.

Get back to basics. Want even more of a change? Order a black coffee with one pump of pumpkin spice syrup, then add your own milk and cinnamon. 

Skip the whip. Cutting that from your standard drink immediately slashes 70 calories, so save it for when you're really in the mood to splurge. 

Make your own. It's actually pretty easy to DIY. Try this recipe from Greatist or, on days you're feeling indulgent, this recipe from The Kitchen. 

Get back to basics. Want even more of a change? Order a black coffee with one pump of pumpkin spice syrup, then add your own milk and cinnamon. 

Skip the whip. Cutting that from your standard drink immediately slashes 70 calories, so reserve it for when you're really within the mood to splurge. 

Make your own. It's actually pretty easy to DIY. do this recipe from Greatist or, on days you are feeling indulgent, this recipe from The Kitchen. 


Want more pumpkin in your life? Try these creative pumpkin recipes, these pumpkin recipes from around the world, and these pumpkin breakfast cookies (they taste a bit like dessert).

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