Pumpkins are healthy; what about lattes?

The Holidays are almost upon us and “pumpkin” this and that seems to be everywhere.

Pumpkins themselves are known to be rich in Vitamin A, nutrient-dense, meaning they pack in a lot of nutrition for very little calories. Pumpkin has a nice mineral balance, therefore showing benefits of reducing blood pressure along with a reduction of cancer risk. Pumpkin is high in fiber, something all Americans can use a lot more of.

How did we make a pumpkin drink unhealthy?

If only a pumpkin latte had any pumpkin in it; but alas no. With a great deal of marketing and ingredient engineering, not to mention celebrity endorsements, Pumpkin Spice Latte’s have gained notoriety amongst the so-called “branded beverage army”.

Yes, a Pumpkin Spice Latte is “delicious”, but it’s “dangerously” unhealthy at the same time. The drink was first introduced by Starbucks in 2003 and since has becomes the company’s most popular seasonal beverage. They’ve sold more than 200 million between its 2003 introduction and 2015 – that’s about $800 million total, but 2015 alone yielded a windfall of $100 million. No wonder they market it so well.

What’s inside a Pumpkin Spice Latte

Here’s a peek at what the infamous Pumpkin Spice Latte contains:

• Let’s make one thing clear: there’s very little actual PUMPKIN included in the drink. From the drink’s inception in 2003 until August 2015 there were zero pumpkins in the drink. Then Starbucks changed the recipe to include “pumpkin pie flavored syrup”, while also removing artificial colors. The syrup’s ingredients include sugar, condensed skim milk, pumpkin puree, coloring, and preservatives. The syrup itself packs a whopping 24 grams of sugar in the grande size, providing close to half of the ridiculous total sugar content of 49 grams for the entire drink.
• Non-dairy isn’t an option: an important point to note is that since the “syrup” contains condensed milk, even if you order your drink with almond or another non-dairy option, you’re still getting hidden cow’s milk dairy from the syrup.
• Milk from GMO fed cows – initially, the latte contained Monsanto milk containing the bovine growth hormone (rBGH). After a torrent of negative press, Starbucks changed their milk source, but the milk still comes from cows that are fed genetically modified (GMO) feed all day long.
• Very HIGH Sugar Content – the “grande” option has 50 grams of sugar and 380 calories. Remember, you shouldn’t exceed 12 grams of added sugar per day. A “grande” Pumpkin Spice Latte, containing three servings of syrup, had 49 g (1.7 oz) sugar, 24 g (0.85 oz) of which were from the Pumpkin Spice flavoring.
• “Natural” Flavors – Annatto is the main ingredient listed under the natural flavors. It’s a plant-based condiment used mostly as a food coloring, what is unknown is what other “natural flavors” may be included under that umbrella term.
• Sulfites – The preservative sulfite is found as well. Sulfite is a chemical that slows down bacterial growth. This chemical can trigger asthma, skin inflammation, hives, stomach pain, and diarrhea in those who react to it.

Enjoy your dairy-free cappuccino instead of this sugar-laden, chemical-rich “drink”

The Pumpkin Spice Latte is definitely far from the “healthy” seasonal beverage you’ve been led to believe it is.

Do enjoy some real pumpkin in stews, soups, and even healthy sugar-free pumpkin pie.

But definitely skip this latte.

Now is a great time to improve your health

I hope this was helpful. It’s unfortunate that we live in a world that lacks so much transparency when it comes to our food. We just can’t believe what many companies say about their products. Certainly, the safest direction is the most natural direction.

If, despite trying to eat well you’re still suffering from less than ideal health, please reach out. We specialize in identifying the underlying reason why you have the symptoms which are bothering you.

We have great tools to really get the answers of not only “why” but what can be done about it.

You deserve to enjoy great health; please give me a call if you want some help.