How Costa, Starbucks Autumn Drinks Stack up Nutritionally

Our team analyzed hundreds of drinks listed in seasonal menus at McDonald’s, Costa, Greggs, and Starbucks in the UK. In our analysis, we concentrated on the medium versions of the drinks. The calories, sugar, and salt would be even higher if you opted for a large cup or added extra cream or syrups.

All the drinks including coffee, pumpkin pie-flavored sauce, and milk have 378 calories; it’s a 15 percent daily intake and 5th percent of a woman’s. As a comparison, McDonald’s Cheeseburger has 298 calories. 

A cup of this drink contains 53.6 grams of sugar – more than six-and-a-half scoops of Haagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream and the most of all drinks this website reviewed. Compared to that, Krispy Kreme’s original glazed doughnut has only 12.6g.

Also, it contains 0.63g of salt, which is more than a medium McDonald’s fry, and the equivalent of two packets of Walkers Ready Salted Crisps (0.34g).

There are 444 calories in the large version and 67.6 grams of sugar and 0.78 grams of salt in the large version.

Costa Autumn Drinks

This website looked at Costa’s four autumn drinks, and Maple Hazel Hot Chocolate (£4.65) was the most calorific.

Among all seasonal drinks, the hot beverage is the second worst offender with 393 calories and 48.9 grams of sugar. With 0.76g of salt per medium mug, it contains the most salt of all drinks.

With 219 calories and 28g sugar, Gregg’s pumpkin spice latte (£2.20) ranked middle of the board. Additionally, it contained the least amount of salt (0g).

With 189 calories, Pret’s pumpkin spice latte (£3.65) is one of the most calorie-dense drinks on the market. The drink contained 0.15g of salt and 26.2g of sugar. 

With 164 calories, McDonald’s salted caramel latte was the least calorific. It also contains 19g of sugar and 0.48g of salt.

It is recommended that adults consume no more than 30g of free sugar each day – that is, sugar added to food or drinks, rather than natural sugar.

Starbucks and Costa’s Autumn

This threshold is exceeded by both Starbucks and Costa’s autumn offerings. If you are worried about what is more is included don’t worry checkout here latest Costa coffee UK menu.

In the long run, sugar consumption can cause weight gain, which increases the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and type 2 diabetes. It can also cause tooth decay.

The recommended daily amount of salt for adults over 18 is 0.6 grams or around one teaspoon. 

There is a higher risk of stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure among those who overindulge in food.

MailOnline spoke to Mhairi Brown, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Action on Sugar and Action on Salt, who said: ‘These sugar-laden drinks appear at every event every year, some of which contain more sugar that an adult should consume every day in one cup.

‘But the public wouldn’t know this as the sugar content is not labeled. 

In the National Food Strategy, a reformulation tax or a comprehensive sugar reduction program is proposed to ensure companies are discouraged from adding so much unnecessary sugar to their products. 

It would have a positive impact on the health and well-being of the nation.

According to MailOnline, Dr Linda Greenwall, founder of the Dental Wellness Trust charity, ‘the UK not only has high obesity rates but also record numbers of children with tooth decay.

In addition, this condition can be completely prevented by consuming food and drink products that contain excessive, and often hidden sugars. 

There is a moral obligation on the part of food and drink manufacturers to put the health of our children before profits. 

Approximately 36 percent of adults in England are overweight or obese, with 28 percent obese.

Among 10 and 11-year-olds, 15 percent are overweight, and 25 percent are obese. According to experts, junk food sales and a lack of activity contributed to the rise in rates during the pandemic.

In response to the health crisis, campaigners have urged the government to act.

In the past year, large businesses have added calories to their menus and junk food has been banned from prominent store locations.

It was expected that junk food advertisements would be banned before 9pm, but ministers are now reviewing the rest of their anti-obesity strategy.

It is also thought they may be reviewing the sugar tax, which charges soft drink makers if their drinks contain too much sugar, despite it being credited with causing Britons to consume less.

In a statement, a Starbucks spokesperson said: “Starbucks strives to provide all nutritional information to customers on our mobile app, online, and menu boards to help them make informed and healthy choices”.

“We also offer a variety of beverage choices, such as our smallest size Tall or oat dairy alternative without added sugar.”

McDonald’s spokesperson said: ‘Our Salted Caramel Latte is only available for a limited time. Our restaurant, our app, and our website’s nutrition calculator display all nutrition information clearly throughout the ordering process, so our customers can make informed decisions.

According to a Costa Coffee spokesperson, all limited-edition autumnal drinks can be customized to reduce calories and sugar.