These Are the Healthiest Drinks at Starbucks

Even when it's not PSL season, Starbucks is still busy tempting your sweet tooth with heavenly creations like the Cloud Macchiato and Juniper Latte. So, hey, it makes sense that when you swing by a nearby 'Bucks, you're stuck wondering what, if anything, on their impressively extensive menu is the healthiest option.

"It's not that Starbucks drinks are 'bad,' but if you're being mindful about calories, sugar, and fat, it can quickly add up," says Laura Iu, RD, a nutritionist in New York City. "Think about all of those toppings and pumps of syrup, which can turn a simple pick-me-up into more of a meal-like beverage."

To score a healthy Starbucks drink that won't give you a sugar-high (and subsequent crash) Iu recommends sticking to a tall (12 oz) size if you opt for a sweet beverage. As for syrup and toppings, less—if not none—is more. There's no reason to deprive yourself of a craving, so if you want that caramel macchiato, go for it, girl—just be kind to your body and ask for one pump of caramel rather than the typical two. Instead, tinker with the taste yourself by adding a dash or two of flavor-boosting cinnamon or cocoa powder to your coffee, Iu recommends.

Next time you're at Starbucks (likely after finishing this article, duh), sip on any of these 12 hot and cold beverages that offer the most bang for your nutritional buck: