Pants & Top (similar) by The Limited | Purse by American Eagle

After my magical experience with Starbucks yesterday, there’s no doubt I love that place. I had a conversation with a friend on Sunday about why we love Starbucks so much and for me, it’s because it feels like I’m getting a real treat. I’m not even referring to the beverage {gasp!}. I’m not a coffee drinker and don’t like all those fancy concoctions {gasp!}. To me, the love stems from the luxury of having a kind hearted, smiling person handing you a perfectly crafted beverage and sending you on your merry way. Without ever leaving your car! Surely a mother could get used to this kind of treatment. Whether my kids are strapped in their car seats behind me or I’m enjoying a few quiet moments to myself on the way to work, those Starbucks runs are luxurious. It’s a gift to sip with almost free hands after someone else prepared it and cleaned up for you. I honestly didn’t even consider stopping at Starbucks before I became a mother. Funny, I know.

I’m not an everyday kind of sipper. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love that daily dose of special treatment from those wonderful baristas, but it’s not in my definition of moderation.

Anyone who scrolls through their Instagram feed knows that the Pumpkin Spice Latte has returned in full force for the season.  I, too, am totally guilty of flashing my Starbucks cup in my IG snaps, though I promise it’s always tea or a soy chai for me. No coffee. No other beverages. And not too often. I recently saw this nutritional breakdown of the PSL on PopSugar and thought it was too good not to share because it was a clear reminder of why this luxury should only occur on occasion.

The amount of sugar in the PSL is insanely high. It is over double the sugar content of a Snickers bar (20 g). Think about scooping 12-15 teaspoons of sugar in each cup of coffee you consume. YUCK. Fluids don’t provide the same feeling of fullness or satisfaction as solid foods, so though you may rationalize the extra calorie content by drinking your PSL for breakfast, you could be prompted to eat even after all of that S-bucks indulgence. Sugar-sweetened beverages greatly contribute to the obesity epidemic in America, something that is all too prominent to avoid mentioning.

Yes, I did have looked up the nutritional content of a chai tea latte and it’s not exempt from the high sugar content either, but there are strategies to reduce the sugar through the way you ask for it to be served and based on the size of drink you order. Venti, no no. I often look at the nutritional content of menu selections while dining out to make more informed decisions. It empowers me to make the right choices. I’m not climbing up on a high pedestal claiming my diet is perfect or trying to shame anyone for the PSL addiction. I am totally happy to indulge from time to time. I’m also admittedly good at compensating for those times when I give myself treats. I want to remain healthy. Being healthy = feeling healthy and I want that. Which is what this little PSA on the PSL is here to serve as: A friendly reminder that indulging isn’t all bad. It can be nice and deserved, but wellness should be kept in mind. If you live by an 80/20 rule – or 90/10 for those overachievers out there – you can have your drink and enjoy it too. ☕️

What is your favorite indulgence? Starbucks? Am I the only one loving the drive-thru treatment?

XO