Starbucks on a Diabetic Diet

Recently my husband was diagnosed with having diabetes, and I have been suffering with pre-diabetes for a couple of years now. It can be devastating to find out you have a disease that will alter your entire life. Don't fool yourself, it does. Everything changes from the way you eat to where you go.

For a moment imagine going to a movie and not being able to eat popcorn or candy. You have to smell hot, buttery, popcorn as you enter the building and through out the movie you have to endure that aroma. Most of us never even give a second thought to movie popcorn. We love it or we hate it; we buy it or we don't. But, if you are suffering from some kind of disorder that restricts its consumption it can linger in your mind, almost obsessively, even if you really don't want it.

Now imagine being a Starbucks junkie. You meet every week with the girls to consume its creamy goodness, and talk over what is going on in your life. You always order a Venti Frapuccino and enjoy it with every sip. You even swirl the cream around in the bottom of your glass as it empties so it mixes with the coffee and makes it even creamier. Your lips are watering just reading this. Now, you may no longer drink those luscious drinks. For a moment you consider skipping out on your weekly Starbucks date, or doing something even more drastic. That is until you decide to do some research.

There are several Starbucks drink options that are diabetic friendly. The Starbucks website offers the nutrition information on all of their drinks. They also have downloadable PDF files that will help you to reach your diet goals. One is entitled "20 Delicious Choices Under 200 Calories," and the other is, "Customize Your Beverages for a More Balanced Drink."

But, what do you do if you forget to research your drink before you go? Well, remember that anything sugar free such as syrups usually do not have many if any calories or carbohydrates. Also, stick to non-fat milk. While it is higher in carbohydrates, it is better for you, especially if you are watching your cholesterol. Also, stick with a tall drink. These drinks can be as much as half the calories, sugar, and carbohydrates of the grande!

Another key help can be the barista. When I was first diagnosed as pre-diabetic I relied heavily on the barista. She helped me navigate my way through the coffee shop lingo, and could many times tell me the nutritional information for the drink I was interested in.

The best thing to remember when facing the diabetic diet challenge is to know without a doubt that you can do it!

Here are a few of my favorite Starbucks drinks with their nutrition information.

Starbucks Tall Iced Brewed Coffee with Non-fat Milk:
Nutrition Information

80 Calories
0 Fat
18 Carbohydrates
18 Sugar
0 Cholesterol

Starbucks Tall Skinny Caramel Latte:
Nutrition Information

90 Calories
0 Fat
14 Carbohydrates
12 Sugar
5 Cholesterol

Starbucks Tall Skinny Vanilla Latte
Nutrition Information:

90 Calories
0 Fat
14 Carbohydrates
12 Sugar
5 Cholesterol

References:

Starbucks Coffee Nutrition Information at:

http://www.starbucks.com/retail/nutrition_beverages.asp. Retrieved on June 27, 2009.