How Bad Is A Frappuccino®?
Posted on 23. Sep, 2008 by The Gimcracker in Gimcrackery
I was recently horrified to find out that someone I know drinks a Frappuccino every day. I don’t think there is a worse thing you could drink. It’s one of the best-tasting drinks around, but consequently it’s one of the least healthy.
I was a barista for 4 years and I made plenty of Frappucino-like drinks (we called them Ice Storms). I used to split one with my coworker every couple of days, but stopped doing so when I discovered just how unhealthy they really are.
Why are Frappuccinos so bad for you? They cover all the bases of unhealthiness: they contain lots of sugar, fat, carbs, and caffeine. Let’s dive right into some comparisons:
510 calories
26 fat
12 saturated fat
40 carb
9 sugar
670 calories
39 fat
11 saturated fat
51 carb
11 sugar
500 calories
16 fat
10 saturated fat
80 carb
68 sugar
Look at those carbs and sugar! Keep in mind we are comparing two very unhealthy fast food burgers to a DRINK. I guess it would be fine to drink Frappuccinos if you didn’t eat breakfast or lunch and then ate a really healthy dinner filled with vegetables and lean meat. Or if you ran 4 miles a day to offset the calorie intake. But let’s be honest here, people who drink Frappuccinos are the same people who eat bags of popcorn as an afternoon snack at their desks, so I don’t see them skipping 2 meals a day (which is also unhealthy – it lowers your metabolism).
How can something you drink be as unhealthy as a delicious McDonald’s hamburger that you eat? I’m willing to bet that if they put nutrition information right on the menus at Starbucks, a lot of people would get a drink with half the calories that would still taste really good. For instance, you could get a Lite Caramel Frappuccino – with only 180 calories (instead of a whopping 500) and 1.5 grams of fat (instead of 16). I imagine they don’t add the whip, they use a different mix base, and use skim milk. Still, you get a large Frappuccino with like 75% less guilt.
What’s the worst drink at Starbucks?
600 calories (200 calories from fat!)
23 fat
14 saturated fat
96 carbs
77 sugar
600 calories. BOOM. I would much rather eat a Whopper. Plus I’d get more nutrition from a Whopper than a Frappuccino.
What’s the worst drink ANYWHERE?
2,310 calories
108 fat
64 saturated fat
266 sugar
If you have a Large Heath Bar Shake habit, shoot yourself right now.
Daaaangit! I have had a java chip frappucino several times since starting at Butler. It’s so freaking delicious! Well, thanks for the post. I will definitely avoid it more now.
Ah, it’s too late for me! I sat down to read your blog in barnes & Noble, with a grande pumpkin spice frappachino in hand. My day is ruined
I think you should be a little less rude with your posts. If you would be a little nicer, I wouldn't have commented like this. Seriously,
"If you have a Large Heath Bar Shake habit, shoot yourself right now."
Writing in a violent manner, yeah, it woun't get you very far because yoru readers won't want to read what you have to say.
LOL – everyone now knows you have a large heath bar shake habit.
FYI, my readers love my dry, hyperbole style of writing. Did you read the tagline of my site up at the top? "Leave your sensitivity at the door". You were warned upon entry to this blog. No one is forcing you to read it
Honestly, if your worried about something that most people have on a daily basis, it can't be bad for you can it? i mean people are "everyday" and not dropping dead in the street… but then again this is my opinion…
Infact i feel like going out running to my closest Mc Donalds and getting myself a quarter pounder with extra cheese and bacon, then heading to my closest Starbucks getting myself a venti sized (largest) and run back home and sit here and read this again whilst eating these "foods of unbelievable unhealthiness" and being fit as a fiddle .. i really couldn't give another thought to it
You missed the point. It's not about just eating healthy in general. Hell, if you actually read my blog you'd see the Volcano Taco from Taco Bell mentioned in every few posts. The point is that a DRINK is worst than a HAMBURGER. Not that you shouldn't ever eat fast food. Try reading the post again.
How can you compare ice cold drink to a hot meal? Don't you know that when you eat things like ice cream your body uses much more energy to heat itself? So net energy gain from ice cream could be less than 0. I don't know how it is with frappucino, but you can't compare 500 calories from Frap to 510 from quarter pounder. Besides: fats, carbs & sugar aren't the only nutritive ingredients of these.
If I understand you correctly, you prefer quarter pounder i than Java Chip Frappuccino (because of calories). Sick!
thank you-Great info!!!!!!!!
Cool website. Eating fewer meals does not lower your metabolism, though. That's a myth perpetuated by supplement companies wanting you to eat more. Check out Leangains or Alan Aragon's Research Review.
Ha trying to decided to get a light Pumpkin Spice Frap venti or grande.. hmmm