Starbucks debuted its new summer menu this week, including three new beverages: Summer-Berry Refresher, Summer-Berry Lemonade Refresher and non-dairy Summer Skies beverage.
twist? The three new drinks are Starbucks' version of boba (bubble tea) and feature “juicy raspberry-flavored pearls” inspired by the popular East Asian beverage.
“We started with fruit slices, but we wanted to do something bolder,” Simon Vuong, beverage developer at Starbucks, said in a statement. “So I thought, ‘Let’s try adding fruit-flavored pearls to a drink.’ “It’s very interesting how the flavor transfers when you put it in your mouth.”
A new boba-inspired drink might be a fun way to quench your summer thirst. But how healthy are these new Starbucks options? The nutritional and ingredient information for this drink has been reviewed by three registered dietitians. Here are their thoughts:
Starbucks
Starbucks' Summer-Berry beverage is similar to other Starbucks Refreshers or non-dairy beverages. Sweet Summer-Berry base (a blend of raspberry, blueberry and blackberry flavors) is poured over ice or mixed with lemonade or coconut milk.
The standout ingredient in this new drink, which sets it apart from other Starbucks refreshers, is the addition of raspberry-flavored pearls made from a blend of water, sugar, calcium lactate, sodium alginate, and concentrated vegetable juice, among other ingredients.
These flavor pearls are inspired by the “bubbles” of bubble tea. According to Scott Keatley, RD, co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy, traditional bubble tea pearls are made from tapioca, a starch derived from the root vegetable cassava.
Tapioca-based pearls can cause gastrointestinal problems such as constipation, but Starbucks pearls are less likely to cause such side effects, Keatley said. health. However, “it's still wise to enjoy them in moderation, as they may have sugar content and other digestive considerations,” he added.
These three bubble tea-inspired drinks are high in sugar and carbohydrates but lack fat, fiber or protein. The nutrients in each drink are as follows:
Summer Berry Starbucks Refresher Drink:
- Calories: 110
- Fat: 0 grams
- Saturated fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Sugar: 25g
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Protein: 0g
- Caffeine: 50g
Summer Berry Lemonade Starbucks Refresher Drink:
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 0 grams
- Saturated fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Sugar: 37g
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Protein: 0g
- Caffeine: 50g
Summer Sky Drinks Starbucks Refresher Drinks:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 2.5g
- Saturated fat: 2.5g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Sugar: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Caffeine: 50g
Experts agree that these new drinks aren't the worst you can order at Starbucks, but they aren't necessarily healthy drinks.
“This bubble tea has added sugar and minimal nutritional benefits.” Keri Gans, RD, nutritionist and author of the book. small change diet, said health.
Jessica Cording, RD, registered dietitian, health coach, and author A little book about game changers I agree: “[These drinks] “It definitely falls into the category of pleasure,” she said. healthBecause these drinks contain little or no fat or protein and a lot of sugar, they can potentially cause your blood sugar to spike and then fall, he adds.
But it's not all bad. Gans praised the spirulina concentrate, which adds a bold blue color to the drink. “Spirulina may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial to our health,” she said. “But it’s unclear how much is in the tea to produce any benefit.”
A quick note from Gans about fruity pearls. “The foam is a choking hazard and should be chewed rather than swallowed.” Cording added that people with swallowing problems and young children should avoid pearls.
Overall, registered dietitians think these drinks are fine in moderation. “[They] It can establish itself as something that a person enjoys occasionally,” Cording said.
If you decide to drink one of these drinks, it's important to look at the additives in the context of your overall diet, Keatley said. “These drinks are high in sugar, but when enjoyed in moderation they fit into a wider range of diets,” he said. “It's commendable that it's free from artificial colors and uses some natural ingredients. It's important to enjoy balanced snacks along with a balanced diet.”
If you want to be especially careful when drinking these beverages, Keatley recommends looking at what you're consuming on any given day. “For those who especially enjoy bubble tea, choosing a day with lower overall sugar intake can help you embrace this pleasure without sabotaging your nutritional goals,” he said.