6 Harsh Realities That Made Me Reevaluate My Love for Starbucks

Reason 1: Too Many Calories

Who doesn’t love bacon, egg, and cheese? The Breakfast Double-Smoked Bacon, Cheddar & Egg Sandwich is a high-protein croissant bun. It features bacon smoked over hickory wood chips for six hours. It comes with a cage-free fried egg and is topped with melted cheddar cheese.

Nutritional Information

The Breakfast Double-Smoked Bacon, Cheddar & Egg Sandwich sounds delicious. However, one serving size is 148 g and has 500 calories, 27 g of total fat, and 8 g of sugar. Not to mention it’s also high in sodium, containing 960 mg.

Reason 2: Too Much Sugar in Foods

The Iced Lemon Loaf is a buttery, citrusy lemon pound cake topped with icing. I found the icing had become too sweet. Furthermore, I think it’s quite expensive at $4.75. You can pick up a slice at Walmart for $1.48 that tastes just as good.

Nutritional Information

The Iced Lemon Loaf is a popular choice for those with a sweet tooth. But have you ever looked at the nutritional value? One piece is 115 g and has 410 calories, 17 g of fat, and 36 g of sugar. That’s quite a lot considering men should not consume more than 35 g of sugar and women no more than 25 g per day.

Reason 3: The Protein Boxes

In 2017, Starbucks introduced its protein boxes. There used to be quite a range that would suit different taste buds. The assortment today is not as vast, and I was disappointed to see that not all locations stock the same protein boxes.

Nutritional Information

While these meals may be high in protein, they are also high in calories and may not be the right choice for your lunch depending on your personal needs. Let’s take a look at the protein boxes I found at a location near my area.

• Eggs and Gouda: Contains multigrain crackers, two cage-free hard-boiled eggs, Gouda, peanut butter spread, a blend of dried apricots, apples, and salt and pepper. Serving size: 170 g and 530 calories.
• Cheese Trio: Contains sea salt and olive oil crackers, Gouda, Brie, and sharp Cheddar cheese with dried cranberries and apricots. Serving size 135 g and 520 calories.
• Eggs and Cheddar: Contains sliced tart apples, two cage-free hard-boiled eggs, grapes, white cheddar cheese, honey peanut butter, and multigrain muesli bread. Serving size 247 g and 460 calories.

Furthermore, I also think the protein boxes are expensive. You can make your own at home for a fraction of the price.

Reason 4: The Breakfast Sandwiches Recall

Back in 2016, Starbucks recalled breakfast sandwiches, cheese, and fruit boxes. According to CNN, these items were voluntarily recalled due to concerns of contamination with allergens or listeria. This reality made me reevaluate my love for Starbucks, especially after I found out that Starbucks does not make its food fresh. All foods arrive boxed up, frozen, and popped into a small machine to be heated up. With that said, this is my personal opinion and concern about contamination.

Listeria Infection Information

According to Mayoclinic.org, listeria is a foodborne bacterial illness that can affect people with weak immune systems, people over the age of 65, and pregnant women. The problem with this bacteria is that it can survive in the fridge and freezer. Symptoms can include, diarrhea, nausea, fever, chills, and muscle aches.

Reason 5: Sugar Amount in Drinks

Sure, that Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino tastes like heaven, but have you thought about how much sugar and calories you’re putting into your body? It might be time to think twice before you indulge in these extra-sugary drinks daily. I was completely shocked about the amounts.

Nutritional Information

Based on a grande size, 16 fl oz

• Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino: 60 g sugar and 470 calories
• Iced Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha: 61g sugar and 460 calories
• Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino 63 g sugar and 410 calories

Reason 6: Rising Prices

Starbucks used to be well known for its affordable fast food prices. However, the prices have increased a lot over the past few years making it less budget-friendly.  Finance Buzz used information from website menus to see how prices have increased since 2014.

Increased Percentage

• Cake Pop: in 2014 cost $1.50 and in 2024 it cost $2.95 that’s a 97% increase.
• Bagel: in 2014 cost $1.25 and in 2024 it cost $2.25 that’s an 80% increase.
• Sausage and Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich: in 2014 cost $2.95 and in 2024 cost $4.25 that’s a 44% increase.
• Spinach and Feta Wrap: in 2014 cost $3.25 and in 2024 cost $4.45 that’s a 37% increase.

Finally, instead of spending money on Starbucks, I could save that money and put it towards a pension fund. 6 harsh realities that made me reevaluate my love for Starbucks are going to help me achieve my goals to get fit.