5 ways to make your Starbucks order healthier 

If Starbucks – or any other coffee shop – is part of your daily ritual, it can make or break all of your health and fitness goals in one to-go cup. Sure, their drinks are delish and addictive, but they can also be loaded with added sugars. Does that mean you have to boycott your coffee fix? Or, say goodbye to the one pleasure that gets you through the day? Au contraire. Keep reading for five easy ways to make your Starbucks order healthier.

Avoid skinny

If you want to stay fit, you might think the best thing to do is avoid full-fat and opt for skinny options. But while you might lower your fat intake, you increase your sugar intake. And when excess sugar isn’t used up, guess what? It gets stored as fat in the body. So, consider embracing fat and limiting sugar.

Keep your coffee simple

Coffee, in and of itself, is practically a zero calorie beverage. But most people aren’t huge fans of black coffee, as is evident from the empty milk carafes sitting on the bar. But to tszuj up your coffee, we tend to load up with real or artificial sweeteners, and skim milk.

But remember to keep the fat, with whole milk or plant-based options. (Fat helps you feel fuller longer, and also supports healthy brain function.) Leave out white processed sugar or syrups. Instad, try honey or raw cane sugar instead.

Stick to basic espresso beverages

When it comes to espresso beverages, look at them as a treat rather than your entire day’s source of hydration. In other words, avoid grande, venti and anything bigger. Instead, enjoy a tall cappuccino or latte.

And by opting for full-fat milk options, you’ll enjoy a satisfying, flavorful drink, without all the bells and whistles.

Give teas a try

Mint Majesty tea might not be as glamorous as a big peppermint mocha. But teas have their own expressive flavor profile alone with health benefits and yes – zero calories. If you miss milk, try a Tea au lait (half tea and half steamed milk). One yummy option is Earl Grey tea along with steamed almond milk.

Avoid creative, seasonal drinks

You may remember the Unicorn Frappuccino that came out last year. It was a colorful concoction which, if you order a grande, gives you a whopping 59 grams of sugar. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends no more than 25 grams of sugar per day.

Now, Starbucks is offering a Hazelnut Mocha Coconutmilk Macchiato. A grande serves up 26 grams of sugar, giving you yet again more sugar than the recommended daily requirement.

So, just pass on these Starbucks fads and stick to the tried-and-true basics.

Blend ice teas

Frappuccinos and smoothies are pretty tasty, but they’re also a sugar high. So, if you prefer a smooth, blended drink, ask the barista to blend your favorite ice tea. Even if you include some syrup, it will still be a far cry from any Frappuccino or smoothie you could order.

There are so many outside factors that affect aging, like diet, exercise and lifestyle. But what about inside factors, like hormones? Hormones play a huge role in aging, but few of us know this and even fewer women know what to eat to support these age-related hormones. So, today we’re talking about 5 key hormones and how you can support them to have youthful, glowing skin. 

Show Full Article

Cramps, bloating, fatigue, mood swings and acne. These are all common PMS symptoms and they make women dread that time of the month. What’s worse, women have come to believe that having a painful and emotionally difficult cycle is normal. And even though many women suffer on a monthly basis, that doesn’t mean they have to. In fact, with some smart dietary changes, you can reduce PMS symptoms and even have a pain-free period. Learn more about how to reduce pms symptoms naturally.

Show Full Article