Starbucks announced its new summer menu this week, including three new drinks: Summer Berry Refresher, Summer Berry Lemonade Refresher, and Dairy-Free Summer Skies Drink.
The twist? The three new drinks are Starbucks’ version of boba tea or bubble tea, featuring “juicy raspberry-flavored pearls” inspired by the popular East Asian drink.
“We started with fruit pieces, but we wanted something bolder,” Starbucks beverage developer Simon Vuong said in a statement. “So I thought, ‘Let’s try putting fruit-flavored pearls in a drink.'” The flavor that pops in your mouth is so much fun. ”
A new boba-inspired drink may be a fun way to quench your summer thirst, but just how healthy are these new options from Starbucks? Three registered dietitians review the nutritional and nutritional value of these drinks. I reviewed the ingredient information. Here are their opinions:
Starbucks
Starbucks Summer Berry Drink is similar to other Starbucks Refreshers and dairy-free drinks. Pour sweetened summer berry base (a mix of raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry flavors) over ice or mix with lemonade or coconut milk.
The distinguishing ingredient in these new drinks, and what sets them apart from other Starbucks Refreshers, is the addition of raspberry-flavored pearls made from a mixture of water, sugar, calcium lactate, sodium alginate, and concentrated vegetable juice. .
These flavor pearls are inspired by the “bubbles” of bubble tea. According to Dr. Scott Keetley, co-owner of Keetley Medical Nutrition Therapytraditional tapioca pearls are made from tapioca, a starch extracted from the root vegetable cassava.
Tapioca-based pearls can cause gastrointestinal issues such as constipation, but Starbucks’ pearls are unlikely to cause such side effects, Keatley said. health. However, he added, “It’s still wise to enjoy it in moderation, given sugar content and other digestive considerations.”
The three bubble tea-inspired drinks are high in sugar and carbohydrates, but low in fat, fiber, and protein. The nutritional information for each drink is as follows:
Summer Berry Starbucks Refreshers Beverage:
- Calories: 110
- Fat: 0 grams
- Saturated fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 27 grams
- Carbohydrate: 25 grams
- Dietary fiber: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
- Caffeine: 50 grams
Summer Berry Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers Beverage:
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 0 grams
- Saturated fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 39 grams
- Carbohydrate: 37 grams
- Dietary fiber: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
- Caffeine: 50 grams
Summer Skis Drink Starbucks Refreshers Beverage:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 2.5 grams
- Saturated fat: 2.5 grams
- Carbohydrates: 31 grams
- Carbohydrate: 29 grams
- Dietary fiber: 1 gram
- Protein: 0 grams
- Caffeine: 50 grams
Experts agree that these new drinks aren’t the worst things you can order at Starbucks, but they aren’t necessarily health drinks.
“These bubble teas have added sugar and have minimal nutritional benefits.” Keri Gans, RDShe is a registered dietitian/nutritionist and is the author of several books. small change diet, Said health.
Jessica Cording, RDRegistered Dietitian, Health Coach, and Author game changer little book Agree: “[These drinks] It definitely falls into the pleasure category,” she said. healthadded that these drinks contain a lot of sugar but little fat or protein, which can cause blood sugar levels to spike and then drop.
But it’s not all bad. Gans praised the spirulina concentrate that gives the drink its bold blue color. “Spirulina may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial to our health,” she said. “However, it is unclear how much of it must be in tea to be effective.”
Gans also says of the fruit-flavored pearls, “The foam should be chewed rather than swallowed, as it can be a choking hazard.” Cording added that people with swallowing problems and small children should avoid pearls.
Overall, dietitians think these drinks are OK in moderation. ”[They] It can take its place as something that people enjoy once in a while,” Cording said.
If you choose to enjoy any of these drinks, Keatley says it’s important to consider adding them in the context of your overall meal. “Although this drink has a high sugar content, it fits into a wide range of dietary indulgences when enjoyed in moderation,” he said. “There are no artificial colors and some natural ingredients are used, which is commendable. Balance is key and enjoy treats like this within a balanced diet.” That is important.”
If you want to be extra careful about when you drink these drinks, Keatley recommends looking at what else you’re consuming during the day. “If you especially like bubble tea, choosing days with lower overall sugar intake can accommodate this indulgence without compromising your nutritional goals,” he said.
