If there is one thing that I always look out for when I am in a new city, it’s a cafe. Cafes are great places for you to get work done, relax and potentially meet some interesting people.
Typically, I prefer to stick to smaller, family-owned cafes. However, when I am trying to stick to the paleo or keto diet, it is significantly easier if I simply go to Starbucks.
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Starbucks and Diets
Aside from having a speedy internet connection, Starbucks makes it easy for you to customize any drink order to fit your dietary needs.
Whether you are on the paleo, AIP or keto diet, there is a drink for you on that Starbucks menu. Surely this list will leave you asking, “Starbucks, where have you *bean* all my life?”
How To Keep It Healthy
When following a specific diet plan, it can be difficult adopting new habits while giving the boot to old ones. Truly, Starbucks is known for some of their rich and heavy beverages which contain copious amounts of sugar, coffee and milk.
It may be tempting to swap out the sugar and cream for a lighter version of your favorite frappuccino, but it is more important to develop a palate for healthier options.
Additionally, it is important to also understand what qualifies and what does not qualify as paleo or keto when looking at the Starbucks menu.
Stay Away From “Sugar-Free”
Some may say that simply choosing a sugar-free option is the best solution when looking at the healthier alternatives at Starbucks, but that isn’t always the case. When items are described as being “sugar-free” it means that they are made with a different, and not always a better, sugar substitute.
At Starbucks, they use sugar-free syrups that contain Splenda, which unfortunately is not paleo or keto since it is made with sucralose and maltodextrin. These sugars aren’t ideal when on the paleo or keto diet since they are chlorinated and are artificial sugars.
If you choose to consume any sugar while on the paleo or keto diet, always make sure to opt for a natural alternative. Despite not being able to have that usual sugary drink in the morning, you’ll feel better in the long run choosing the healthier and more wholesome options.
Cold Keto Drinks
In the mood for something icy? These are my favorite cold keto drinks to order at Starbucks.
- Iced Peach Citrus White Tea (Ask for an unsweetened Peach Citrus White Tea with a splash of heavy cream, no water, and light ice.)
- Iced Passion Tango Tea (Ask for a passion tango tea with heavy (or light) creamer.)
- Iced Pineapple Tea (Ask for an iced green, black, or white tea, with a pineapple fusion, unsweetened.)
- Iced Blonde Cold Foam Cappuccino (Ask for an Iced Starbucks Blonde Cold Foam Cappuccino with no sweetener.)
Hot Keto Drinks
Maybe something hot sounds better for a chilly morning or evening. These are the best hot keto drinks at Starbucks.
- Blonde Roast Coffee
- Dark Roast Coffee
- Pike Place Roast Coffee
- Earl Grey Tea
- London Fog (Ask for whipping cream and no sweetener)
- Organic Chai Tea Latte (Ask for whipping cream and no sweetener)
- Low-Carb Flat White (Ask for a flat white, no steamed milk, half-heavy whipping cream, half water steamed.)
- Low-Carb Americano (Ask for an Americano with heavy cream.)
- Caffe Misto with Cream/Cafe au Lait (Ask to replace the milk with heavy cream, or a 50/50 mix of cream and hot water.)
- Emperors Cloud and Mist Green Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Mint Majesty Herbal Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Passion Tango Herbal Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Royal English Breakfast Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Teavana Earl Grey Brewed Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Youthberry White Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
Cold Paleo Drinks
No dairy here! These chill paleo drinks at Starbucks will leave you feeling energized and healthy.
- Mint Majesty Herbal Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Iced Peach Citrus White Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Earl Grey Brewed Tea and Iced Black Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Iced Pineapple Black Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Iced Strawberry Green Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Iced Black Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Iced Green Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Iced Passion Tango Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Cafe Americano
- Black Coffee
- Evolution Fresh
- Unsweetened Iced Coffee
- Cold Brew Coffee
Hot Paleo Drinks
Warm up with my favorite hot paleo drinks to order at Starbucks.
- Emperor’s Cloud & Mist Green Tea
- Organic Chai Tea
- Cafe Americano
- Black Coffee
- Evolution Fresh
- Espresso
- Blonde Roast Coffee
- Dark Roast Coffee
- Clover Brewed Coffee
- Pike Place Roast Coffee
- Decaf Pike Place Roast Coffee
- Comfort Wellness Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Jade Citrus Mint Green Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Royal English Breakfast Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
Cold AIP Drinks
If you’re following the AIP diet, your options aren’t as numerous – but you can still get your Starbucks fix with these cool drinks.
- Mint Majesty Herbal Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
- Earl Grey Brewed and Iced Black Tea (Ask for no sweetener)
Hot AIP Drinks
Last – but not least – this is the best tea to order when you’re in the mood for something warm and AIP-friendly.
- Emperor’s Cloud & Mist Green Tea
*Please note: any of the teas can be served hot or cold.
Be Creative!
Sticking to a paleo or keto diet shouldn’t be seen as an obstacle when trying to find your favorite Starbucks drink. These diets allow you to not only be more creative, but also help you feel better in the long run.
Both diets not only have a substantial list of drink options available, but they both allow you to adopt a more wholesome palate.
So, here’s to more *brew-tiful* mornings while on the paleo and keto diet.