What is the healthiest drink at Starbucks?

An Americano is the healthiest Starbucks drink at just 11 kcal with zero sugar and zero ultra-processed ingredients (NOVA 1). If you want milk, a Short Flat White with semi-skimmed milk is 59 kcal with 5.1g of sugar — the lowest-sugar espresso-with-milk option.

How much sugar is in a Starbucks Frappuccino?

A Grande Ube Vanilla Coffee Frappuccino with semi-skimmed milk contains 48.7g of sugar — more than a 330ml can of Coca-Cola (35g). Even smaller sizes start at 35g+. The Frappuccino base itself is pre-sweetened before any flavouring syrups are added.

Is Starbucks oat milk healthy?

Starbucks' oat drink is NOVA 4 (ultra-processed) because it contains rapeseed oil, dipotassium phosphate, and calcium carbonate. Oats themselves are NOVA 1, but the commercial oat drink used in coffee shops requires stabilisers and emulsifiers. Semi-skimmed cow's milk (NOVA 1) is actually the least processed milk option at Starbucks.

How many calories are in a Starbucks latte?

A Grande Caffè Latte with semi-skimmed milk (the standard build) contains 186 kcal, 17.1g of sugar, and 12g of protein. Switching to skimmed milk reduces this to about 130 kcal. A Short Flat White is the lowest at 59 kcal.

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Nutritional Information for Starbucks

Your morning coffee might be doing more damage than your lunch. We analysed Starbucks UK's full drink menu using NOVA classification and hidden sugar detection — and the results are striking. A Grande Caramel Frappuccino contains more sugar than a can of Coca-Cola. Even seemingly innocent drinks like the Oat Milk Latte carry processing markers from the milk alternative itself. Here's every popular drink ranked by sugar content, with the genuinely low-impact options highlighted.

SpikeSaver analysis — Starbucks at a glance

4/55

Keto-friendly

0/55

High protein

19/55

Low sugar

16/55

Low glucose impact

Menu items — full analysis

Americano (Grande)Just espresso and water — zero sugar, zero processing

11 kcal

NOVA 1Glucose: Very LowLow Sugar

Fat

0.1g

Carbs

1.4g

Sugar

Fibre

Protein

0.4g

Net carbs

1.4g

Caffè Latte (Grande, semi-skimmed)Processed culinary ingredient — milk and espresso

186 kcal

NOVA 2Glucose: Medium

Fat

6.7g

Carbs

18g

Sugar

17.1g

Fibre

Protein

12g

Net carbs

18.0g

Cappuccino (Grande, semi-skimmed)Processed culinary ingredient — milk and espresso

130 kcal

NOVA 2Glucose: Low-Medium

Fat

4.3g

Carbs

13.2g

Sugar

12.4g

Fibre

Protein

9.4g

Net carbs

13.2g

Flat White (Short, semi-skimmed)Processed culinary ingredient — milk and espresso

59 kcal

NOVA 2Glucose: Low

Fat

Carbs

Sugar

5.1g

Fibre

Protein

4.2g

Net carbs

6.0g

Caramel Latte (Grande, semi-skimmed)Caramel syrup adds 15g+ sugar and preservatives

250 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

6.8g

Carbs

34g

Sugar

33g

Fibre

Protein

12g

Net carbs

34.0g

Caramel Macchiato (Grande, semi-skimmed)Vanilla syrup + caramel drizzle — double syrup hit

236 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

7.5g

Carbs

28g

Sugar

27g

Fibre

Protein

10g

Net carbs

28.0g

Classic Hot Chocolate (Grande, semi-skimmed)Chocolate powder contains sugar, cocoa, emulsifiers

276 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

7.5g

Carbs

35.7g

Sugar

34.3g

Fibre

3.9g

Protein

12.7g

Net carbs

31.8g

Chai Tea Latte (Grande, semi-skimmed)Chai concentrate is pre-sweetened — deceptively sugary

236 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

3.4g

Carbs

40g

Sugar

38g

Fibre

Protein

7.8g

Net carbs

40.0g

Matcha Latte (Grande, semi-skimmed)Matcha powder pre-mixed with sugar

236 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

6.3g

Carbs

32g

Sugar

31.8g

Fibre

0.8g

Protein

12.2g

Net carbs

31.2g

Iced Latte (Grande, semi-skimmed)Processed culinary ingredient — milk and espresso

130 kcal

NOVA 2Glucose: Low-Medium

Fat

4.6g

Carbs

13g

Sugar

12g

Fibre

Protein

8.5g

Net carbs

13.0g

Iced Caramel Macchiato (Grande, semi-skimmed)Vanilla syrup + caramel drizzle over iced milk

190 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

5.4g

Carbs

26g

Sugar

25.2g

Fibre

Protein

9.1g

Net carbs

26.0g

Ube Vanilla Velvet Latte (Grande, semi-skimmed)Ube flavouring with vanilla syrup and preservatives

249 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

6.7g

Carbs

34.2g

Sugar

33.4g

Fibre

0.3g

Protein

12.8g

Net carbs

33.9g

Ube Vanilla Coffee Frappuccino (Grande, semi-skimmed)48.7g sugar — more than a can of Coca-Cola

366 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

15.5g

Carbs

50g

Sugar

48.7g

Fibre

Protein

6.2g

Net carbs

50.0g

Ube Vanilla Cream Frappuccino (Grande, semi-skimmed)Cream-based Frappuccino with ube flavouring — 46g sugar

340 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

14g

Carbs

48g

Sugar

46g

Fibre

Protein

5.5g

Net carbs

48.0g

Caramel Protein Latte (Tall, semi-skimmed)Added protein powder with caramel flavouring

98 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: LowKeto ✓

Fat

Carbs

Sugar

6.5g

Fibre

Protein

12g

Net carbs

8.0g

Caramel Protein Americano (Tall, semi-skimmed)Protein powder and caramel flavouring in espresso

72 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: LowKeto ✓Low Sugar

Fat

1.2g

Carbs

Sugar

4.5g

Fibre

Protein

10g

Net carbs

6.0g

Mocha (Grande, semi-skimmed)Chocolate sauce with sugar, cocoa, and emulsifiers

290 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

8.5g

Carbs

38g

Sugar

36g

Fibre

2.5g

Protein

12.5g

Net carbs

35.5g

Filter Coffee (Grande)Minimally processed — brewed coffee beans and water

31 kcal

NOVA 1Glucose: Very LowLow Sugar

Fat

1.3g

Carbs

2.6g

Sugar

0.4g

Fibre

2.2g

Protein

1.3g

Net carbs

0.4g

Espresso (Doppio)Unprocessed — pure espresso shot

7 kcal

NOVA 1Glucose: Very LowLow Sugar

Fat

0.1g

Carbs

0.9g

Sugar

0.1g

Fibre

0.3g

Protein

0.4g

Net carbs

0.6g

Espresso Macchiato (Doppio)Processed culinary ingredient — milk and espresso

15 kcal

NOVA 2Glucose: Very LowLow Sugar

Fat

0.4g

Carbs

1.7g

Sugar

0.9g

Fibre

0.3g

Protein

Net carbs

1.4g

Cold Brew Coffee (Grande)Minimally processed — cold-steeped coffee beans and water

22 kcal

NOVA 1Glucose: Very LowLow Sugar

Fat

0.8g

Carbs

2.2g

Sugar

0.1g

Fibre

1.4g

Protein

1.1g

Net carbs

0.8g

Cortado (Short)Processed culinary ingredient — milk and espresso

69 kcal

NOVA 2Glucose: LowLow Sugar

Fat

3.5g

Carbs

5.9g

Sugar

4.5g

Fibre

Protein

3.8g

Net carbs

5.9g

Latte Macchiato (Grande)Processed culinary ingredient — milk and espresso

147 kcal

NOVA 2Glucose: Low-Medium

Fat

5.1g

Carbs

14.6g

Sugar

13.7g

Fibre

0.3g

Protein

10.6g

Net carbs

14.3g

Ristretto Bianco (Short)Processed culinary ingredient — milk and espresso

106 kcal

NOVA 2Glucose: Low

Fat

5.5g

Carbs

8.5g

Sugar

7.1g

Fibre

Protein

5.6g

Net carbs

8.5g

Earl Grey Tea (Grande)Unprocessed — plain brewed tea

4 kcal

NOVA 1Glucose: Very LowLow Sugar

Fat

0.1g

Carbs

Sugar

Fibre

Protein

0.7g

Net carbs

0.0g

English Breakfast Tea (Grande)Unprocessed — plain brewed tea

5 kcal

NOVA 1Glucose: Very LowLow Sugar

Fat

0.1g

Carbs

Sugar

Fibre

Protein

0.8g

Net carbs

0.0g

Emperor's Clouds & Mist Tea (Grande)Unprocessed — plain brewed green tea

4 kcal

NOVA 1Glucose: Very LowLow Sugar

Fat

0.1g

Carbs

Sugar

Fibre

Protein

0.6g

Net carbs

0.0g

White Chocolate Mocha (Grande)White chocolate sauce with sugar, flavourings, and emulsifiers

345 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

12.7g

Carbs

46.2g

Sugar

45.4g

Fibre

0.3g

Protein

11.3g

Net carbs

45.9g

Iced Caffè Americano (Grande)Unprocessed — espresso and water over ice

11 kcal

NOVA 1Glucose: Very LowLow Sugar

Fat

0.2g

Carbs

1.4g

Sugar

0.1g

Fibre

0.4g

Protein

0.6g

Net carbs

1.0g

Iced Caffè Mocha (Grande)Chocolate sauce with sugar, cocoa, emulsifiers and whipped cream

342 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

17.7g

Carbs

32.9g

Sugar

30.7g

Fibre

2.8g

Protein

11.6g

Net carbs

30.1g

Iced White Chocolate Mocha (Grande)White chocolate sauce with sugar, flavourings, emulsifiers, and whipped cream

401 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

19.1g

Carbs

46.5g

Sugar

45.7g

Fibre

0.3g

Protein

10.6g

Net carbs

46.2g

Iced Ube Vanilla Macchiato (Grande)Ube flavouring and vanilla syrup with preservatives

190 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

5.4g

Carbs

26g

Sugar

25.2g

Fibre

0.3g

Protein

9.1g

Net carbs

25.7g

Ube Vanilla Velvet Matcha Latte (Grande)Ube flavouring, matcha powder pre-mixed with sugar, vanilla syrup

300 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

Carbs

40.9g

Sugar

40.8g

Fibre

1.3g

Protein

15.4g

Net carbs

39.6g

Iced Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Espresso (Grande)Brown sugar syrup and oat drink — both carry UPF markers

131 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: Low-Medium

Fat

4.4g

Carbs

20.2g

Sugar

14.3g

Fibre

1.8g

Protein

1.6g

Net carbs

18.4g

Carrot CakeCommercial baked good with emulsifiers and flavourings

505 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

28g

Carbs

55g

Sugar

40g

Fibre

5.4g

Protein

5.6g

Net carbs

49.6g

Pistachio & White Chocolate Loaf CakeCommercial baked good with emulsifiers and flavourings

432 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

25g

Carbs

43g

Sugar

26g

Fibre

2.4g

Protein

7.5g

Net carbs

40.6g

Almond CroissantCommercial pastry with refined flour and hydrogenated fats

519 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

29g

Carbs

54g

Sugar

11g

Fibre

2.8g

Protein

9.2g

Net carbs

51.2g

Berry CrunchCommercial baked good with added flavourings and sugars

200 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: Medium

Fat

6.7g

Carbs

26g

Sugar

16g

Fibre

0.8g

Protein

8.6g

Net carbs

25.2g

Beyond Meat Breakfast Sandwich (plant based)Beyond Meat patty is highly processed with methylcellulose and flavourings

432 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: MediumLow Sugar

Fat

17g

Carbs

46g

Sugar

3.1g

Fibre

5.3g

Protein

21g

Net carbs

40.7g

Butter CroissantCommercial pastry with refined flour and hydrogenated fats

414 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: Medium

Fat

21g

Carbs

47g

Sugar

5.4g

Fibre

2.8g

Protein

7.8g

Net carbs

44.2g

Egg Bites with Three Cheese & HamProcessed cheese blend and cured ham with additives

177 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: Very LowKeto ✓Low Sugar

Fat

11g

Carbs

5.7g

Sugar

0.4g

Fibre

1.4g

Protein

13g

Net carbs

4.3g

Egg White Bites with Three Cheese & Red PepperProcessed cheese blend with stabilisers and additives

162 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: LowKeto ✓Low Sugar

Fat

9.5g

Carbs

5.9g

Sugar

1.3g

Fibre

0.5g

Protein

13g

Net carbs

5.4g

Ham & Cheese CroissantCommercial pastry with processed ham and emulsifiers

385 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: Medium

Fat

20g

Carbs

36g

Sugar

5.9g

Fibre

0.6g

Protein

15g

Net carbs

35.4g

Luxury Fruit ToastCommercial sweet bread with added sugars and flavourings

491 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

11g

Carbs

84g

Sugar

38g

Fibre

4.1g

Protein

12g

Net carbs

79.9g

Pain au ChocolatCommercial pastry with refined flour and hydrogenated fats

424 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: Medium

Fat

22g

Carbs

47g

Sugar

14g

Fibre

Protein

7.5g

Net carbs

43.0g

Pain au RaisinCommercial pastry with refined flour, added sugars, and flavourings

351 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: Medium

Fat

15g

Carbs

47g

Sugar

19g

Fibre

2.5g

Protein

5.7g

Net carbs

44.5g

Smoked Bacon RollProcessed cured bacon with preservatives in a commercial roll

400 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: MediumLow Sugar

Fat

13g

Carbs

49g

Sugar

3.6g

Fibre

1.7g

Protein

21g

Net carbs

47.3g

Traditional Sausage SandwichProcessed sausage with preservatives and fillers

495 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: MediumLow Sugar

Fat

28g

Carbs

40g

Sugar

4.9g

Fibre

1.4g

Protein

20g

Net carbs

38.6g

Ginger BiscuitsCommercial biscuits with refined flour, added sugars, and flavourings

229 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: Medium

Fat

8.5g

Carbs

35g

Sugar

18g

Fibre

1.7g

Protein

2.3g

Net carbs

33.3g

Large Caramel WafflesCommercial waffles with caramel syrup and emulsifiers

352 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

16g

Carbs

48g

Sugar

28g

Fibre

1.2g

Protein

2.4g

Net carbs

46.8g

Banana Nut Loaf CakeCommercial baked good with emulsifiers and flavourings

368 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: Medium

Fat

18g

Carbs

41g

Sugar

22g

Fibre

1.1g

Protein

5.4g

Net carbs

39.9g

Chicken Caesar WrapProcessed Caesar dressing with additives in a commercial wrap

457 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: MediumLow Sugar

Fat

18g

Carbs

48g

Sugar

2.8g

Fibre

2.3g

Protein

21g

Net carbs

45.7g

Free-Range Egg, Cress & Mayo SandwichCommercial mayonnaise with emulsifiers and stabilisers

436 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: MediumLow Sugar

Fat

19g

Carbs

47g

Sugar

2.5g

Fibre

4.7g

Protein

17g

Net carbs

42.3g

Signature Grilled Cheese ToastieProcessed cheese blend with emulsifiers in commercial bread

477 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: HighLow Sugar

Fat

16g

Carbs

60g

Sugar

3.8g

Fibre

2.7g

Protein

22g

Net carbs

57.3g

Spinach & Pea Falafel WrapCommercial falafel with additives in a processed flour wrap

375 kcal

NOVA 4Glucose: High

Fat

9.1g

Carbs

60g

Sugar

12g

Fibre

6.9g

Protein

9.7g

Net carbs

53.1g

Source: Starbucks UK published nutrition data · Last reviewed: 2026-04-04

The UPF picture at Starbucks

Starbucks drinks are built from syrups — and syrups are where the sugar hides. A single pump of Caramel syrup adds roughly 5g of sugar, and a Grande typically gets 4 pumps. That's 20g of sugar before you've added the milk. The Vanilla, Hazelnut, and Caramel syrups all contain sugar as the primary ingredient, along with preservatives (potassium sorbate) and flavourings.

Milk alternatives introduce additional UPF markers. Starbucks' oat drink contains rapeseed oil, dipotassium phosphate, and calcium carbonate — making it NOVA 4 even though oats themselves are NOVA 1. The coconut drink now contains soya (updated allergen information from Spring 2026). Even the semi-skimmed cow's milk is the cleanest base option from a processing standpoint.

The Frappuccino range is the most sugar-dense category, with base mixes containing sugar, milk, cream, and multiple emulsifiers before any flavouring is added.

Lower-UPF ordering guide

Best choices

For the lowest sugar at Starbucks: order an Americano (under 10 kcal, zero sugar) or a Flat White with semi-skimmed milk (59 kcal, 5.1g sugar for a Short). These are the only drinks that avoid syrup pumps entirely in their standard build.

If you want a flavoured drink, ask for fewer syrup pumps — reducing from 4 to 1 cuts sugar by roughly 15g. The Caramel Protein Latte (98 kcal for a Tall) is one of the better options if you want flavour with a protein boost. Avoid the Frappuccino range entirely if sugar is a concern — even the smallest size starts at 280+ kcal with 35g+ sugar. The Chai Tea Latte is deceptively high in sugar (14.6g for a Short) because the chai concentrate itself is pre-sweetened.

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