Step aside Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks. There’s a regional breakfast chain you shouldn’t overlook: a staple in Canada and the northeastern United States: Tim Hortons. Tim Hortons is completely underrated, according to one source. Eat well Nutrition editor and registered dietitian Jessica Ball, MS RD;
“When I go home to Michigan to see family, I drive almost the entire way through Canada, and for me that almost always means stopping at a Tim Hortons,” Ball says. “There aren’t any close to where I live, so it feels special.”
Now that we’ve officially declared fall is here, Tim Hortons is top of the list right now. The chain has unveiled its fall menu, featuring drinks and pastries that incorporate the flavors of the season. The lineup also includes an all-new drink: Caramel Apple Latte, available iced or hot.
Nostalgia aside, we asked Ball for her nutritionist’s perspective on the new menu and how to order the drinks she’s most excited about in a healthier way. Here’s what you need to know before incorporating these fall beverages into your daily routine.
In addition to the Caramel Apple Latte, which complements the sweetness of the fair’s popular foods, seasonal drinks such as Maple Cinnamon Sugar Cold Brew, Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Spice Iced Cap will be returning for a limited time. Maple Cinnamon Sugar Cold Brew is a vibrant blend of maple syrup, brown sugar and cinnamon, and each pumpkin-themed coffee is made with Tim Hortons’ signature pumpkin spice syrup for a warm, fragrant taste.
We know your appetite is already whetted, but before you step foot into a TH or stop by your nearest drive-thru, Ball wants you to keep a few things in mind.
“These drinks are full of fall flavors and look super fun, but they’re also super high in added sugar,” she explains. “For reference, the American Heart Association recommends limiting your added sugar intake to 36 grams or less per day, but all of the drinks on this list have more than that per serving.”
As an example, here’s the nutritional breakdown for one small cup of Hot Caramel Apple Latte:
calorie: 300
carbohydrates: 48 grams
Fiber: 0 grams
Total Sugars: 45 g
Added Sugars: 45 grams
protein: 7 grams
Total Fat: 9 grams
Saturated fats: 8 grams
cholesterol: 20mg
sodium: 200mg
Sure, 45 grams of sugar is too much. But… Eat wellWe’re firm believers that any food or drink can be enjoyed in moderation. So if you like coffee like dessert every once in a while, give it a go. And if you’d like to sip on these featured drinks more often, there are ways to cut back on the sugar. Here are Ball’s personal recommendations and how you can cut down on your sugar intake when ordering.
“I like iced coffee year-round, so if I had to choose one, I’d probably order the Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew,” she says, “I’d skip the cold foam and the pumpkin spice on top to reduce the added sugar and saturated fat it contains.”
With just a few tweaks, it’s easy to enjoy Tim Hortons’ new fall menu items, and if there’s no chain near you, try making a healthy version of the seasonal drink at home with this Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe.
