As a Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist who specialises in blood sugar balance and metabolic health I am passionate about finding ways to manage my own blood glucose, and that of my clients and followers. However, achieving this in the real world can be challenging with sugar sweetened beverages and foods available everywhere you turn.
Whilst most of us are aware that soda’s are a common source of added sugar, I believe that sugar sweetened coffee drinks (I call these dessert-drinks) are just as bad and should be eliminated or reduce greatly from your diet.
However, for a lot of people these drinks are interwoven into the routine of their day, so rather than cut them out completely, I wanted to find a healthy alternative that tasted just as delicious as some of these coffee shop drinks. In this blog post I will compare both the nutritional properties of a Starbucks Iced Vanilla Latte vs a Halo Hydrating Vanilla Latte.
Starbucks Iced Vanilla Latte
In the world of coffee lovers, lattes are a popular choice, offering a delicious combination of espresso, steamed milk, and flavored syrups. But for those watching their blood sugar levels, even the smallest options contain over 20g of added sugar and around 200 calories.
I wanted to see how a Tall Iced Vanilla Latte affected my blood sugar, with its nutritional breakdown of calories, sugar and fat.
so off I went to Starbucks to start my experiment. Before drinking the Starbucks my blood glucose level was 96 mg/dl according to my CGM device.
After 20 minutes my blood sugar began to spike rapidly and hit its peak of 189 mg/dl after around 40 minutes after finishing the Starbucks drink (see pictures below), a difference of 93 points!
Halo Hydrating Vanilla Latte
Halo’s Hydrating Latte’s offers a healthier alternative to traditionally sugar laden coffee drinks, with the added benefit of hydrating electrolytes (conventional coffee drinks can also lead to hydration). Their Hydrating Vanilla Latte is a blend of coffee, coconut milk powder and just 2g of sugar, plus electrolytes, so I wanted to compare it’s impact on my blood sugar vs the Starbucks Tall Iced Vanilla Latte Hydrating Vanilla Latte.
I endeavoured to keep the experiment parameters the same as before, I ate the same breakfast and checked my blood glucose before drinking the Halo. Before drinking the Halo my blood glucose reading was 84. And 40 minutes afterwards it was just 103 a difference of just 19 points.
Comparing the Impact of the Two Lattes
- Sugar Content:
- Starbucks Iced Vanilla Latte is notorious for its high sugar content due to the syrup (22g in a 12oz serving), which can lead to a rapid increase in blood sugar levels.
- Halo Hydrating Vanilla Latte, in contrast, only contains 2g of sugar per serving providing a subtle sweetness without the sugar overload.
- Glycemic Index:
- The glycemic index measures how quickly carbohydrates in a food item raise blood sugar levels. Starbucks Iced Vanilla Latte has a high glycemic index due to its sugary syrup.
- Halo Hydrating Vanilla Latte has a lower glycemic index, making it a better choice for individuals looking to maintain stable blood sugar levels.
- Satiety and Energy Levels:
- Drinks high in sugar can cause a rapid spike in energy followed by a crash, leaving you feeling tired and hungry.
- Halo Hydrating Vanilla Latte provides a more sustained release of energy, helping you stay full and energized for a longer time without the sugar-induced crashes, whilst also providing the hydrating benefits of electroytes.
Conclusion:
When it comes to choosing between Starbucks Iced Vanilla Latte and Halo Hydrating Vanilla Latte, the impact on your blood sugar levels is a crucial factor to consider. While the classic Starbucks option might offer a tasty treat, the Halo latte provides a much lower sugar, healthier alternative . Making mindful choices about your coffee beverages can contribute to better overall health and stable blood sugar levels in the long run. So, next time you’re craving a vanilla latte, think about your health and make the choice that supports your well-being.
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