Calories Or Cost?

        With money short and times being tough, restaurants are getting creative.  Instead of building new locations they are just trying to take business from other major chains.  In this case, McDonald’s is looking to reel in new customers from Starbucks with their more affordable  coffee drinks.     Take a guess at which ones are better for your health and your wallet; McDonald’s or Starbucks, then scroll down…..

Starbucks Nonfat Grande Latte – $3.25
Rich, full-bodied Starbucks® espresso in steamed milk lightly topped with foam.
Calories – 130
Carbohydrates – 19 grams
Sodium – 150 mg

McDonald’s Nonfat Medium Latte – $2.89
Espresso with steamed skim or whole milk, plain or with vanilla, sugar free vanilla, caramel or hazelnut flavor shot.
Calories – 110
Carbohydrates – 15 grams
Sodium – 140 mg

Starbucks Nonfat Grande Cappuccino – $3.25
Rich, full-bodied Starbucks® espresso in a small amount of steamed milk, with a deep layer of foam.
Calories – 80
Carbohydrates – 12 grams
Sodium – 90 mg

McDonald’s Nonfat Medium Cappuccino – $2.89
Espresso with skim or whole milk available with vanilla, sugar free vanilla, caramel or hazelnut flavor shot.
Calories – 80
Carbohydrates – 12 grams
Sodium – 110 mg

Starbucks Nonfat Grande Cafe Mocha – $3.55
Rich, full-bodied Starbucks espresso combined with bittersweet mocha syrup and steamed milk, topped with a cloud of whipped cream.
Calories – 290
Carbohydrates – 44 grams
Sodium – 135 mg

McDonald’s Medium Mocha – $2.89
Chocolate syrup with espresso steamed skim or whole milk with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate, plain or with vanilla, sugar free vanilla, caramel or hazelnut flavor shot.
Calories – 280
Carbohydrates – 10
Sodium – 160 mg
(source)

 

     The price alone would send you to McDonald’s.  However, if you are a coffee connoisseur, then this quality of coffee may not cut it for you.  Don’t forget that coffee beans are one of the most highly spray crops for pesticides.  You aren’t going to get less chemicals by going cheap.  The only way to avoid the poison is to buy organic beans (which are sometimes hard to find) in chain food restaurants.  Even Starbucks has a limited supply.

Adria Ali

(CES, PES, CPT, BS)