These Are the 3 Hot Drinks a Top Dietitian Always Orders at Starbucks

With cooler weather comes hot drinks…here’s what a top dietitian loves to order at Starbucks.

I attribute my ability to semi-function during this apocalyptic year to three things: therapy, Harry Styles’s outfits, and copious amounts of caffeine. Since fall is somehow already here, many of us are swapping cold brew for hot drinks. But given that the Starbucks menu is so extensive (there are 23 different kinds of clover-brewed coffee alone!) sometimes it’s helpful to have a pro help you whittle things down when you know you need a caffeine boost, but aren’t quite in the mood for a PSL.  Thankfully Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, shares some of the best hot drinks from Starbucks she likes to order in an episode of Well+Good’s YouTube series You Versus Food.

Unsurprisingly, Beckerman is a big fan of the classic black coffee. “It might not light your fire, but a plain, unsweetened coffee is going to be your all-around healthiest coffee option,” says Beckerman. You get to enjoy all the many benefits of coffee, without any added fat or sugar. If the thought of plain black coffee makes you want to scream inside your heart more than you already do, she suggests adding a small amount of milk. “Whole milk is generally healthy to splash into your daily java,” she says, as long as you keep an eye on how much milk you’re adding to your coffee.

If you’re in the mood for a fancier coffee drink, Beckerman is a big fan of the cappuccino. She likes that it provides a comparable richness to a latte, but with a smaller dose of milk. She says it also has less sugar than the beloved almond milk latte—so if you’re keeping an eye on your sugar intake, this might be a good alternative.

And remember: If your heart desires a caramel macchiato or pumpkin cream cold brew, don’t deny yourself that order or try to swap in something “healthier,” because you likely won’t be satisfied by your choice. But if you’re looking to shake up your usual coffee routine a bit (or are specifically searching for low-sugar, lower-calorie options), then Beckerman’s picks are certainly worth trying for yourself. Find out what other hot (and cold) drinks she recommends by watching the full video above.

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