Healthy Swaps for Trendy Drinks: Starbucks' Pink Drink, Peppermint Mocha & More

Dec 9 2016
Do you love decadent trendy beverages: coffee drinks, hot cocoa, smoothies, and more? Before you waste hundreds of calories, check out these better-for-you swaps!



Think Pink Drink

Entire recipe: 50 calories, 2g total fat (2g sat. fat), 0mg sodium, 7g carbs, 1.5g fiber, 5g sugars, 0g protein

SmartPoints® value 2*

Since the Pink Drink isn't an official Starbucks menu item, we had to do some sleuthing to calculate nutritional info for the buzzy beverage. The stats for the real deal aren't terrible, but we knew we could do better. And we did! Our do-over is downright delicious and has just 50 calories. If you're feeling nostalgic for summer 2016, grab a few ingredients and get mixing...

Hint-of-Mint Mocha

Entire recipe: 77 calories, 4g total fat (1.5g sat. fat), 90mg sodium, 10.5g carbs, 3g fiber, 2.5g sugars, 2.5g protein

SmartPoints® value 2*

The peppermint mocha pops up on many seasonal menus this time of year… and it's usually a major calorie bomb with way too much sugar. DIY time! This recipe combines some of our favorite pantry staples, and the results are perfection. P.S. If you're opposed to the chocolate-mint combo, leave out the peppermint extract and you'll have a classic mocha!

Cinnamon Dolce Swappuccino

Entire recipe (about 18 oz.): 90 calories, 2g total fat (0.5 sat. fat), 113mg sodium, 5.5g carbs, 1g fiber, 1g sugars, 11g protein

SmartPoints® value 2*

To those who scoff at drinking blended drinks when it's cold out, we'd like to remind you that making them at home means you don't need to venture into the frigid temps. Another reason this Frappuccino swap rocks? It's got a protein boost! Adding protein powder to frozen coffee drinks is one of the best tricks in our arsenal. (And we have a lot.) Prefer classic vanilla to cinnamon? Click right here.

Perfect Pumpkin Shake

Entire recipe (about 18 oz.): 112 calories, 2.5g total fat (0.5g sat. fat), 163mg sodium, 10.5g carbs, 3.5g fiber, 3g sugars, 11g protein

SmartPoints® value 3*

This fabulous shake includes real pumpkin, not sugary syrup or powder like the kinds used at shake shops and fast-food joints. That means added fiber and vitamins! Our creamy concoction tastes just like an indulgent milkshake but has a slim 112 calories. It rocks!

Mmmm-Mmmm Mexican Hot Chocolate

Entire recipe: 99 calories, 3g total fat (1.5g sat. fat), 65mg sodium, 15.5g carbs, 3g fiber, 9g sugars, 5.5g protein

SmartPoints® value 4*

Ready to majorly heat up your hot-cocoa game? This chili-spiked recipe is such a yummy twist on the classic! And the fact that we can enjoy all-natural hot chocolate for less than 100 calories is AWESOME. Can't take the heat? Don't get out of the kitchen... Just leave out the cayenne!

Green Tea Crème Swappuccino

Entire recipe (about 16 oz.): 75 calories, 2.5g total fat (1g sat. fat), 96mg sodium, 8g carbs, 1g fiber, 4g sugars, 3g protein

SmartPoints® value 3*

Matcha has been trendy for a while and isn't going anywhere. Wondering how to work with the potent green-tea powder? Here's a great starter recipe. If Starbucks' creamy green drinks lure you in on the regular, it's definitely time to learn how to make them at home. This recipe will save you hundreds of sugary calories!

Peaches & Greens Smoothie

Entire recipe (about 18 oz.): 281 calories, 1g fat (0g sat. fat), 134mg sodium, 51.5g carbs, 5.5g fiber, 36.5g sugars, 19.5g protein

SmartPoints® value 11*

And now for a totally different kind of green drink! Many store-bought green smoothies contain more calories and added sugar than you might expect. Our recipe? It rocks the greens, but the sugar comes straight from real fruit, not flavored syrups or fiber-less fruit juice. Bonus: Greek yogurt for protein!

Pumpkin Spice Latte Swappuccino

Entire recipe (about 16 oz.): 109 calories, 3g total fat (0.5g sat. fat), 167mg sodium, 10g carbs, 2.5g fiber, 2.5g sugars, 11g protein

SmartPoints® value 2*

Pumpkin spice lattes are incredibly popular for a reason: They're delicious! And this frozen spin will satisfy even diehard PSL lovers. It's the perfect way to use some of that leftover canned pumpkin you have sitting around after making seasonal baked goods. Prefer the classic hot PSL? We've gotcha covered with another swap.

Clean & Green Shamrock Shake

Entire recipe (about 16 oz.): 133 calories, 4g total fat (0.5g sat. fat), 210mg sodium, 6g carbs, 1g fiber, 1.5g sugars, 20g protein

SmartPoints® value 2*

People lose their minds over the McDonald's Shamrock Shake. It's basically spring's version of the Pumpkin Spice Latte. And while Mickey D's won't offer its vanilla-mint milkshake for several more months, our calorie-slashed take on the treat is available right here and now! Fun fact: The green color in this shake comes from real spinach... which you cannot taste at all!

Chew on this:

Today, December 9th, is National Pastry Day. 122-calorie Raspberry Streusel Bars, anyone?

Sip, sip... Hooray! Share these low-calorie beverages with all your pals. Click "Send to a Friend" now.

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*The WW Points® values for these products and/or recipes were calculated by Hungry Girl and are not an endorsement or approval of the product, recipe or its manufacturer or developer by WW International, Inc., the owner of the Points® trademark.

Questions on the WW Points® values listed? Click here.

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