Starbucks Keto Friendly Coffee
For those who are on the ketogenic diet, finding new and exciting options that fit within the confines of their dietary choice can be a challenge. However, there are many restaurants and coffee shops now offering keto friendly foods and drinks and coffee house giant Starbucks is no exception. Here we look at whether Starbucks offers keto friendly coffee and how Starbucks customers are adapting to the keto challenge.
Background and Insights
The ketogenic diet is a specific type of diet designed to reduce carbohydrate intake and replace it with an intake of fat. This type of diet is seen to be an effective way to aid weight loss and some people may be able to manage certain medical conditions. It’s important when eating a keto friendly diet that careful attention is paid to the ingredients that are consumed and foods that are high in carbohydrates should be avoided – including coffee.
Fortunately, Starbucks offers keto friendly coffee options for those who love their morning coffee and want to stick to the principles of the keto diet. The secret is to order coffee drinks made with Splenda (sucralose) and resist adding sugary syrups, creams and flavored powders. However, it’s also important for those on the keto diet to make sure that no hidden sugars or carbs are included in their Starbucks order.
One way to check for keto friendly options from Starbucks is to use their Nutritional Calculator which allows customers to see what options meet their dietary needs. Customers can choose from nearly any drink and customize it to their needs in terms of flavor, sugar and caffeine content.
Expert Advice
According to David Gremmels, president and CEO of Starbucks, “At Starbucks, we understand that everyone’s dietary needs are different and we are continually evolving the menu to ensure there is something for everyone without comprising taste, quality and service. Our focus with the ketogenic diet is to make sure our customers have more choices when it comes to their coffee. We wanted to provide our customers with the option to customize their coffee drinks to fit their lifestyle.”
However there are still some reservations from experts who suggest that people on the keto diet should seek professional advice before making any major changes to their dietary patterns. Rebecca Mahoney, nutritionist and dietitian, commented “It is important to understand that any diet should always be followed under the guidance of a health professional to make sure it is safe and appropriate for the individual.”
Starbucks Customers and The Keto Challenge
It seems that Starbucks customers are embracing the challenge to find keto friendly options as more and more of them look to take control of their diets and health. For example, one customer at a Starbucks in Vancouver comments “I was really amazed to find out that I could customize my coffee to fit my needs. I didn’t even have to sacrifice taste!”. It seems Starbucks customers are embracing the challenge to find keto friendly options and enjoy the freedom of choice.
Starbucks also offer a great selection of selections of keto friendly snacks including nuts, seeds and breakfast bars that are low in carbs and contain healthy fats and proteins. Also, Starbucks now have introduced a range of low-carb hot and iced drinks which cater specifically to the keto diet in terms of flavor, sweetness and nutrition.
Challenges and Alternatives
Although there are many options for those looking for keto friendly coffee from Starbucks, there are still some challenges. Even if someone uses the Starbucks nutrition calculator and customized their coffee order to fit the keto diet, it is difficult to know for sure that no hidden carbohydrates or sugars have slipped in to the coffee. Also, those who don’t approve of sucralose may still struggle to find a keto friendly coffee to suit their tastes.
Fortunately, there are other coffee shops that offer keto friendly coffee, such as Bulletproof Coffee, and there are also other types of coffee that can be consumed while on the keto diet. Those looking for a keto friendly coffee should look for coffees made with natural sweeteners, such as stevia, and coffees that are naturally sugar-free and low in carbs such as black coffee, espresso or Americano.
The Benefits of Starbucks
Starbucks may offer the widest range of options for those on the keto diet. The company has created an informal drinks menu which includes many keto friendly items, like an iced Americano or iced coffee with sucralose sweetener. Also, Starbucks offers specialty drinks, like the Keto White Chocolate Mocha and the Keto Coconut Milk Mocha Macchiato which are made with sugar-free syrups and are gluten and sugar-free, as well as being a great source of essential fatty acids.
Starbucks also offers a variety of food items that can accommodate the keto diet including salads, breakfast sandwiches, sandwiches and soups. Furthermore, Starbucks is becoming more aware of food allergies and sensitivities, making sure that process and procedure are in place to help those who have allergies and food sensitivities enjoy a safe and stress-free experience.
Keto Friendly Coffee Potentials
Starbucks is yet to create a range of coffee products which are specifically developed to cater for the keto diet. However, there is some potential for Starbucks to cater for this market as the keto diet trend continues to gather momentum. If Starbucks does enter the keto friendly coffee market, it is likely to be a huge success due to their established and loyal customer base.
There is also potential for the development of keto friendly drinks that appeal to both keto customers and regular customers. For example, Starbucks could create a range of keto friendly ‘Frappuccinos’ or iced coffees made with natural sweeteners such as coconut sugar and stevia, as well as offering additional food items to cater for those on the keto diet.
Conclusion of Keto Friendly Starbucks
Starbucks have introduced several keto friendly options for their customers, allowing them to enjoy a great tasting coffee while adhering to the principles of the keto diet. While Starbucks do not yet offer specific keto friendly products, there is potential for them to do so in the future. For customers looking for keto friendly coffee, Starbucks offer a wide range of drinks and snacks which can easily be adapted to meet the keto dieter’s needs.
