Hey tinkerbear, is that a vente then? I've been finding the one shot of SF vanilla in my tall (latte) a little sweet lately. I love the hazelnut too--sounds like a good combo.
I love Starbucks! I go there at least once a day during the work week, there is a Starbucks right next to our school. A tall sugar free non fat latte is my after work snack. I do live in Washington state, I think coffee now runs in our blood? At least it does in mine.
I like a small, skim mocha with 1/2 the regular amount of chocolate (I don't really like sweet all that much) and that really hits the spot.
I don't like Starbucks coffee, though, so while I like an Americano (espresso with hot water) or just regular coffee, I never get them there. They over-raost their beans (they burn them!) to give a 'distinctive' flavor that I don't really like. That's why I get lattes if I'm there -- the milk hides the flavor of their beans.
In college I use to work as a barista trainer at our Starbucks on campus. Became addicted to all the cafe mochas I can drink (at least 2 per day)!
But when I graduated, it was running me about $7/day for coffee, kind of adds up. So I've tried to overcome my addiction.
But seriously, it's not that bad. The gourmet coffee drinks normally consist of espressos (concentrated coffee-no calories), milk (skim if want) and whatever flavor you request (mocha, caramel etc...). It's is the flavored syrup/mocha that is not really healthy. But you can always request them to put half what they normally do! Skip the whip cream, it is optional.
I can't drink coffee - it makes me sick to my stomach. But i love the hot chai teas they offer. I get a medium with skim milk and it is 230 calories of spicy warm milk goodness! (I only get like one a month though).
My FAVORITE was a frappucino. I could eat them all day for the rest of my life and never be sick of them. They have a little booklet with calorie/fat/carb count...after seeing it, there isn't a single thing that I'd want, that I can have from there. So I steer as far away from there as I can
funny that i stumbled on this thread! i'm sitting here at work, drinking my standard starbucks order: a venti TEA BAG CHAI [they have very good chai tea bags - 0 calories!], with about 3 tablespoons of steamed milk, no foam.
about 40 calories for a NICE HOT TASTY TREAT!!!! and a wee bit of calcium and protein on top of it!
in the summer: iced decaf with SF vanilla and a generous sprinkling of nutmeg. YUM!!!!!!!
I don't like Starbucks - find their coffee too strong and too bitter. Have been a Second Cup fan for years now, though - they're cheaper, better, and Canadian!
I might go to Starbucks if desperate. Right now I'm in Australia, so no Second Cup here of course. There are 4 Starbucks in the city, usually swarmed by tourists, and I absolutely HATE the service, so I don't go there either. Fortunately all coffee shops around sell latte's.
I usually just get plain ol' coffee.. and I have to say that if you have the choice - go to a Seattle's Best, the coffee is better!! As far as flavored coffees I love the peppermint mocha capp. and caramel macchiato!
I love the holiday flavored beverages, especially the pumpkin spice latte (which also comes as a frappuccino, but I like the hot drink better). I think it is worth it once in a while to get the fancy drinks, just make appropriate allowances for the rest of the day/week regarding calories and nutrients.
I love Starbucks, looking at the website, the English starbucks has a completely different range. I have a grande latte with skim milk and syrup about once a week. It's my little treat, and caffeine before exercise improves your performance, it's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!!!
Die Hard Starbucks Fan
As far as flavored coffees I love the peppermint mocha capp. and caramel macchiato!
