A 530 Calorie Drink That Is Everywhere You Look

Actually the coke is 140. Sounds almost healthy now. >.< (Well, light. I don't think corn syrup, caramel color or phosphoric acid will ever sound healthy.)

Karen on July 17, 2012

I love it when you bust food/drink like this. Would you consider looking at the Shakeology program? Is it worth the hype? Can't you get as much nutrition from a home make smoothie?

Denise Ryan on July 17, 2012

Thanks for the info.... After the last couple of years of dieting and exercise, I have not the slightest interest in even trying one, coupon or not!

Kristin on July 17, 2012

I received a coupon for a free one & threw it in the trash! 530 calories is wayyyyyy too much for a drink.

Shanae on July 17, 2012

Food should be priced according to how many calories it contains. What an eye opener that would be!

Sarah on July 17, 2012

O my goodness!Thanks so much for that info on the frappes.I would like to also let people know about the burgers and fries and bread haven't molded or rotted yet. A group my son is in has been doing an experiment since Jan 17 2012!

caroll on July 17, 2012

I am so glad I am not a coffee lover. I am tea junkie, though. It sure seems like the world of tea hasn't been abused yet, unless you count the chai tea latte at Starbuck's which is my favorite beverage treat of all! I can get a grande for 310 calories or a tall for 260 and that's if i get 2% milk in it. On a separate note, I'm with @Denise Ryan - I'd love to hear your research on the Shakeology craze, too. I've tried it. The chocolate is just plain gross, but the tropical is not bad. Kinda gritty. Is the nutrition in it worth the price? Or can I get it in a multivitamin or other supplement to add to my homemade smoothie for a fraction of the price? I really don't think it's worth it but I'd love to hear what you find out if you're ready to do some homework for us!

Angie M. on July 17, 2012

I would also like to know your take on Shakeology. I keep thinking that there is a cheaper way to do a homemade version.

Songberries on July 17, 2012

You also had me 24 g of fat. No way in my life style... ok once in a great while I celebrate with sweet potato fries but that's it.

Elizabeth Pruyn on July 17, 2012

The sad truth is that this type of drink is being served at all restaurants.

I just saw this ad for Dunkin Donuts: http://bit.ly/NmKWWO

When I pass by Zaxby's, I see a huge sign that advertises a birthday cake milkshake. When I was at a meeting at Starbucks, I witnessed pre-teens ordering up high-calorie coffee drinks.

Welcome to The Main Street Diet ... http://bit.ly/hvTNJV

This works for me: Whenever I pass by these places, I say to myself: Poison. I'm not interested in digesting poison.

Ken Leebow on July 17, 2012

My teeth hurt just thinking about these drinks. I have digestive problems anyway so drinking one of these wouldn't do much for that plus the sweet factor. If I get anything cold it's at Starbucks decaf with skim milk and fat free vanilla. That's about as sweet as I can go.

Noreen on July 17, 2012

Making a protein shake at home is a great alternative and you know exactly what's in it. Fresh fruit, whole grain, fiber, protein and they are delicious! You still have to carefully measure what you're putting in there and use this as a meal replacement vs a side or the calories can add up quickly. Favao protein is a good, clean protein source they offer 12 different recipes from 160 to 330 calories depending on milk/water, type of fruit, type of cereal/grain you are using. cpearce1010@gmail.com

Charlene on July 17, 2012

Caroll, I know the hamburgers aren't good for us. However, that test is not totally accurate when a burger is digested. The acid in our stomachs would help break it down. When you have it just sitting there, there is nothing to break it down. Also, we chew it and make the pieces smaller to digest. You're talking about it being whole just sitting with no other factors. In science terms, there are other variables that cause different results when we eat them.

Susan on July 17, 2012

@Ken

"This works for me: Whenever I pass by these places, I say to myself: Poison. I'm not interested in digesting poison."

I do the same exact thing when I'm flipping through ads, coupons, looking at fast-food/drink billboards, bagged/boxed/canned stuff in the grocery store, etc., but I use the word "garbage".

Andy D on July 17, 2012

@ Susan / Caroll But if you made some home made rolls and burgers and left them out or even in the fridge since Jan they would be growing - what are people putting in their bodies?

Charlene on July 17, 2012

I love Frappaccinos from Starbuck's. Thankfully, I don't live anywhere near one and if I find myself near one, I'm a cheapskate so I don't want to spend $4 on a drink. I consider them to be treats. I may search one out though if I had a coupon. However, I would never go to a McDonald's, coupon or not. I don't like what they stand for - subquality "food". Starbuck's is a coffee place and they sell coffee, makes sense. McDonald's sells junk food. No thank you.

Janet on July 17, 2012

I have quite the Starbucks dilemma quite often. See, the way teenagers see it, when a Starbucks opens in a small boring town like ours, it's the ultimate hang out spot. So, very often, when I go there I try so, so hard to get something not as bad as a medium caramel frappuccino with 2% milk and 5 shots of coffee instead of 3.......you can see that I've gotten this far too many times. Quite frankly, after drinking it I do feel sick. Recently I've been getting an iced tea black lemonade, but I'm afraid to even look up the nutrition info for that either. I wish Starbucks hadn't opened in my town, or it wasn't so walkably close. <3 you Snack-girl

Rachel "Bubbles" on July 17, 2012

Unbelievable! I used to go every morning that I could to order a Large Caramel Frappe. I would seriously get mad if my morning wasn't going well enough for me to stop. I was very addicted to them. When I started PointsPlus I stopped them cold turkey! Once I finally got that out of my system I have not gotten another, not even for a snack. It is not worth sliding back down that slippery slope!

Melissa on July 17, 2012

Just wanted to respond to Denise above (re: Shakeology). Something you make at home (a shake or a smoothie) is always a better choice. The reason is because you can control what goes into it. If you're making a smoothie with real fruit and yogurt (and maybe some raw honey) you are getting a final product made without chemicals and ingredients made in a lab. Shakeology is very expensive. It's just always seemed like a scam or pyramid scheme to me (the way it is sold).

Leah on July 17, 2012