October 4, 2025

Starbucks drinks taste delicious and refreshing, but some hide a big sugar secret! Believe it or not, a few popular Starbucks drinks have MORE sugar than a Dunkin’ glazed doughnut, which has 13 grams of sugar. Sounds surprising? It’s true! Experts warn that this extra sugar, mostly added during preparation, can cause health troubles like diabetes, weight gain, and even tiredness. Lisa Valente, a registered dietitian, says, “Too much added sugar can cause health problems like diabetes, heart disease, weight gain, inflammation, and can also make you feel tired or want more sweets.” The rules for sugar say we should keep added sugar below 10% of daily calories, which is about 50 grams for an average 2,000-calorie diet. Now, let’s spill the beans on the sweet stars of Starbucks with loads of sugar: 1. Pumpkin Spice Latte (12 oz) – A whopping 38 grams of sugar! Milk adds some natural sugar, but at least 20 grams is added sugar. 2. White Chocolate Mocha (12 oz) – 34 grams of sugar, mostly from its rich white chocolate mocha sauce. At least 17 grams is added sugar here. 3. Cinnamon Dolce Latte (12 oz) – Contains 31 grams of sugar. Around 14 grams come from added syrup. You can ask for fewer syrup pumps to cut down sugar. 4. Strawberry Acai Refresher (12 oz) – Has 16 grams of sugar, mostly added, even though it includes juice and freeze-dried strawberries. 5. Matcha Creme Frappuccino (12 oz) – Packs 31 grams of sugar. Less milk means more added sugar and less natural sugar. But don’t lose hope! Here are four fresh, low-sugar choices to keep you refreshed and healthy: - Classic Iced Passion Tango Tea — 0 grams sugar, caffeine-free, perfect any time. - Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew — Just 4 grams sugar if you skip extra sweeteners. - Coffee with a Splash of Milk — Minimal sugar and a mild, tasty flavor. - Plain or Low-Sugar Latte — Has natural milk sugar but keeps total sugar low with sugar-free syrup. So how can you enjoy Starbucks without a sugar overload? Simple! Ask for fewer syrup pumps, skip added sweeteners, or pick sugar-free syrups. With these small tricks, you can savor your favorite Starbucks drinks without the sugar crash. Remember, those tempting drinks like Pumpkin Spice Latte, White Chocolate Mocha, Cinnamon Dolce Latte, Strawberry Acai Refresher, and Matcha Creme Frappuccino are the biggest sugar culprits. But smart choices make all the difference. Get your caffeine kick and sweetness without the sugar spike—your health will thank you!

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Tags: Starbucks, Sugar content, Pumpkin spice latte, White chocolate mocha, Health tips, Added sugar,