PaleYo

OCD – Obsessive Coffee Disorder

I run on Dunkin’.  (Although I may not be a coffee drinker anymore after this article.)

Rarely ever do I go to Starbucks for coffee, unless it’s 1) convenient and I need it or 2) Dunkin’ is too far…but now, NEVER AGAIN!  This post will support my decision to never drink Starbucks again; for any Paleo person who occasionally enjoys a Starbucks…you may be disappointed of my findings.  I’m actually scared to look up Dunkin’, but for now – out of site, out of mind.

So it just so happens that Starbucks has pumpkin spice lattes out a little early, way ahead of Dunkin’ Donuts (pumpkin coffee from DD is my weakness).  So for anyone who’s itching to have that pumpkin spice and decides to head over to StealBucks, you may want to keep that car in park for a moment and read this.  Pumpkin Spice Lattes are rumored to be one of the most popular drinks, and for anyone who loves fall and such, I can see why.

What is in a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice latte?  Perhaps, espresso with something pumpkin-y, steamed milk, whipped cream (if you’re into it)…sadly, you are mistaken!  You have been deceived, friends.  This beverage contains NO real pumpkin, just pumpkin pie spices.  That delicious, yummy, warming, pumpkin spice flavor you taste…yeah, well that’s syrup, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP!  Plus, the sweetened condensed milk, may contain high fructose corn syrup in it, as well.

If you’re into Paleo, you know that artificial coloring, is a no-no.  So caramel coloring is something WE CANNOT HAVE.  In this cup of coffee, it contains, not 1, but 2 doses of the MOST DANGEROUS caramel coloring out there!  It is made with ammonia and considered a carcinogen.  A U.S. government funded study was conducted, and the conclusion was that feeding mice caramel coloring IV ,which contained 4-Mel, (just like the stuff you find in Starbucks products) increased their risk of developing lung cancer and leukemia (in California it is known to cause cancer).  Say what?!  I’m starting to get a headache just writing about this.  The milk they use is from cows that are fed GMO corn and soy.  It also contains a stabilizer that is linked to inflammation and cancer.  If you order the grande, even in your best French accent, it contains 50g of sugar, not to mention 380 calories of nothing!!  That’s not healthy!  You can enjoy your cup of joe with artificial flavors, preservatives, and sulfites; with a side of possible pesticides from non-organic coffee beans!  Are you following me??  And when you think you’re ordering it with soy milk because maybe you’re vegan…well guess what?  That’s not made with vegan’s in mind since the Pumpkin syrup has condensed milk in it!

Starbucks does not sell organic coffee, as fancy as you are fooled to think they are.  Coffee imported from other countries is generally the most heavily chemically treated crop.  So every time you enjoy a nice hot cup of coffee from Starbucks, consider it a cup of dangerous pesticide exposure.  A lot of pesticides and toxins banned here in the U.S., are not banned anywhere else and can be poisonous.  You can forget that decaf too–the coffee beans are soaked in a chemical solution to make them decaf (I’ll have to do more research on it later, though).

Here’s a link to a healthier version of the Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Here’s a link to Dr. Mercola’s article, If You Drink Coffee Make Sure It’s Organic.  It’s a really good, informative read.

I have included links to Starbucks ingredients, as well as the warning about caramel coloring IV.

Takeaway from this post: don’t spend your $5 bucks on a Starbucks death trap!  Go put it in a jar and label it, “Trip to Dublin.”  <—that’s what I’m doing with mine.

money jar

“Your life is your message to the world.  Make sure it’s inspiring.”

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Dee

I’m a 36 year old kid at heart. I reached a low point in my life where I felt like I needed to take control before I didn’t have the choice, and that’s when I decided that I needed to change my lifestyle. It’s going to be my life long goal to always achieve optimum health…I am still young after all. Here I am, over one year into my Paleo journey, and I never felt better.

4 CommentsLeave a comment

    • Hey Michael! I like Dunkin’ Donuts WAY TOO MUCH to research what’s in it! 🙂 I don’t drink coffee anymore; I cut out caffeine altogether. If I do end up at DD I usually get get an iced green tea.

      Appreciate the comment!

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