The 9 Most Unhealthy Drinks at Starbucks – and 4 Low Calorie Replacements

If you're like me, then you search out Starbucks restaurants so you can get your boost of caffeine for the day. They have a large menu of tasty beverages, and new items show up all of the time. The drinks always do the trick, but did you know that some of the menu options are rather unhealthy? It's true. Many of the drinks have as many calories as a full meal. Others are loaded with sugar. To help you stick to your weight loss goals, we have compiled this list of the unhealthy drinks at Starbucks.

Some of the unhealthy options here include the hot chocolate, Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino, and the Pistachio Latte, so if any of those are your favorite, then be warned. However, we're not leaving you high and dry. At the bottom of this list, you'll also see a selection of healthy drinks at Starbucks, so you can get your caffeine fix without the guilt.

We may still be facing some cold temperatures, but be cautious if you try to warm up by getting the hot chocolate. As one of the most unhealthy drinks at Starbucks, the hot chocolate poses a number of concerns. The grande size has 370 calories, 16 grams of fat, 160 mg of sodium, and 43 grams of carbs. That's if you don't add in extra marshmallows or sprinkles. Then you're looking at a very unearthly beverage.

If you love cinnamon, then the idea of an iced cinnamon dolce latte probably sounds pretty good. No doubt it's delicious, but it's also bad for your health. This single drink contains 300 calories, 13 grams of fat, 115 mg of sodium, and 38 grams of carbs. The addition of the whipped cream is not helping matters, so maybe ask to keep that ingredient out of the equation.

If you're like me, then the idea of the caramel apple spice drink sounds perfect. This is another beverage that is undoubtedly very tasty, but just because it has the word "apple" in it doesn't mean it's healthy. Instead, this drink packs in a whopping 380 calories, 35 mg sodium, 8 grams of fat, and 77 grams carbs. The reason for the poor report is due to the addition of whipped cream, heavy cream, caramel sauce, and a slew of other unhealthy ingredients.

Many people get excited when the "pumpkin spice" part of the year comes around, but be careful about what you order. Case in point: the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. This one is loaded with 420 calories. To keep that in perspective, health experts recommend you only consume less than 3,000 calories in an entire day, so this drink is a big part of it. The drink also contains 15 grams of fat, 280 mg of sodium, and 66 grams of carbs, so be careful.

Easily, one of the most unhealthy drinks at Starbucks is the Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino. This caffeinated beverage looks more like a giant dessert, and like many desserts, it's not exactly healthy. The beverage contains 480 calories, 270 mg sodium, 62 g carbs, and 24 g fat. That's all without customizing the drink. Adding more whipped cream or sprinkles will spike the calorie count even higher.

This is another drink that looks mouthwateringly delicious on the menu, which is why so many people are tempted to order it. However, don't be too quick to ask for it if you're on a diet. This chocolatey delight has 470 calories, 22 grams of fat, 280 mg of sodium, and 65 grams of carbs. It's because this is more dessert than beverage. The inclusion of whipped cream, caramel-sugar topping, and dark caramel sauce are just some of the culprits.

No, the white version of hot chocolate is not healthier than the standard version. The secret that makes this drink so tasty is the addition of cocoa butter, but that's part of the problem. When all is said and done, this drink contains 440 calories, 260 mg of sodium, 19 grams of fat, and 55 grams of carbs. It's a very unhealthy drink. If you must choose between the two, go for the regular hot chocolate, which is slightly healthier.

You may go into Starbucks looking to try a refreshing beverage on a hot day. One of the colorful Starbucks Refreshers may look like they'll hit the spot, but beware. The refresher drinks contain a lot of sugar. Almost enough to fulfill your daily allowance. The drink also contains 140 calories, 15 mg sodium, and 35 grams of carbs. This drink can be refreshing but enjoy it sparingly.

The Pistachio Latte is certainly one of the most unhealthy drinks at Starbucks. This is another one that may have you scratching your head. After all, aren't nuts supposed to be healthy? Not when they're loaded with salted brown butter and four pumps of pistachio sauce. The end result is a tasty drink that contains 320 calories, 9 grams of fat, 310 mg of sodium, and 48 grams of carbs of carbs. Pistachio fans, be warned.

If you want a drink with barely any calories, go for the Cafe Americano. It is a cup of espresso that is diluted in hot water. The drink provides a nice shot of caffeine at only 15 calories. The only drink at Starbucks that is healthier is the normal, brewed black coffee. That has five calories per cup. Of course, if you're going to only get black coffee, you might as well just brew it at home and save some money.

The Chai Tea Latte at Starbucks is out of this world, and luckily, it's also one of the healthier drinks at the restaurant. This latte includes frothed and steamed milk and the perfect amount of spice. All in all, it has 200 calories. It's not perfect, but if you watch what you eat for the rest of the day, you'll be in good shape.

If you need your coffee fix, then a good latte may be the only beverage that fits the bill. However, if you want to stay healthy, go for the skinny vanilla latte. This tasty drink has frothed and steamed milk, a ribbon of vanilla syrup, and several tasty shots of espresso. It's like a dessert and a pick-me-up all in one. The best part is that the skinny version only has 100 calories if you get the tall size.

The final healthy choice that we'd like to highlight is the Nitro Cold Brew, which is a tasty, creamy caffeinated beverage that is injected with nitrogen for a great boost. This drink is not for everyone, but if you're more about function than fashion, then it's a great choice. Best of all, the drink only has five calories and no sugar. So you'll be up and going without putting on extra weight.