The Starbucks PSL returns for the 19th year in a row, but the question of whether or not it’s healthy is now being addressed by some nutritionists. The basic ingredients include pumpkin spice sauce, espresso, whipped cream and a pumpkin spice topping, but a 16-ounce serving also has twice the recommended daily amount of sugar from the American Heart Association and the amount of sugar in a grande PSL is equivalent to 13 Chips Ahoy cookies or 96 M&M candies. These drinks are also high in calories with 390 for a grande PSL.
There are some health benefits of the drink, including protein, antioxidants and micronutrients, but to have a more healthy PSL you can follow one or more of the following recommendations:
- Order a nonfat latte with no whipped cream or pumpkin sauce and ask for a pumpkin spice sprinkle on top.
- Request half of the ‘pumps’ of the pumpkin sauce to cut added sugar in half.
- Order the smallest size available.