Starbucks cream cheese is a popular spread option that many people enjoy with their bagels, sandwiches, and more from the coffee shop chain. Cream cheese can add flavor and creaminess but also comes with some fat. So how much fat does Starbucks’ cream cheese contain?
Types of Starbucks Cream Cheese
Starbucks offers several cream cheese spread options:
Plain Cream Cheese
This is the classic whipped cream cheese spread. It has a smooth and creamy texture.
Reduced-Fat Cream Cheese
This option has 25% less fat than the regular cream cheese spread. It has a lighter texture.
Vegetable Cream Cheese
Starbucks’ vegetable cream cheese is blended with carrots, tomatoes, spinach, onions, and red bell peppers to give it more flavor.
Chive & Onion Cream Cheese
This cream cheese contains chives and onions for more of an herbal onion taste.
Honey Walnut Cream Cheese
Sweet honey and crunchy walnuts are swirled into this cream cheese option.
Nutrition Facts
The nutrition facts for Starbucks’ cream cheese spreads vary slightly depending on the type:
Plain Cream Cheese
| Serving Size | 1 oz (28g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 100 |
| Fat | 10g |
As you can see, a 1 ounce serving of plain Starbucks cream cheese contains 100 calories and 10g of fat.
Reduced-Fat Cream Cheese
| Serving Size | 1 oz (28g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 80 |
| Fat | 7g |
The reduced-fat option has 80 calories and 7g of fat per serving.
Vegetable Cream Cheese
| Serving Size | 1 oz (28g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 90 |
| Fat | 8g |
Starbucks’ vegetable cream cheese contains 90 calories and 8g of fat per ounce.
Chive & Onion Cream Cheese
| Serving Size | 1 oz (28g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 100 |
| Fat | 10g |
The chive and onion cream cheese has 100 calories and 10g of fat per serving.
Honey Walnut Cream Cheese
| Serving Size | 1 oz (28g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 110 |
| Fat | 10g |
Finally, the honey walnut cream cheese contains 110 calories and 10g of fat per ounce.
So in summary, plain, chive & onion, and honey walnut Starbucks cream cheese all contain 10g of fat per serving. The reduced-fat has 7g of fat, while the vegetable cream cheese contains 8g per ounce.
Fat in Cream Cheese
What accounts for all of the fat in Starbucks’ cream cheese? Here is a breakdown:
Saturated Fat
All of Starbucks’ cream cheese options contain around 5-6g of saturated fat per serving. Saturated fat is found naturally in animal products like cheese. Consuming too much saturated fat can raise LDL “bad” cholesterol levels.
Trans Fat
Trans fats are unsaturated fats that have been hydrogenated. This process creates a solid fat with a longer shelf life. Trans fats raise bad cholesterol and lower good HDL cholesterol. The good news is Starbucks’ cream cheeses contain 0g of trans fat.
Polyunsaturated and Monounsaturated Fats
These “good” fats can help reduce bad cholesterol when consumed in moderation. Cream cheese contains small amounts, around 1-3g per serving.
So the majority of fat in Starbucks cream cheese comes from saturated fat inherent in dairy products. But the cream cheese is relatively low in trans fat.
Ways to Reduce Fat
If you’re trying to reduce the amount of fat in your Starbucks cream cheese, here are some tips:
– Opt for the reduced-fat cream cheese – it cuts 25% of the fat!
– Use a light spread – only use around 1/2 ounce of cream cheese.
– Ask for it to be spread thinly on your bagel or sandwich.
– Order a smaller size bagel or bread choice to limit servings of cream cheese.
– Substitute peanut butter or avocado for half of the cream cheese.
– Request extra veggies on your sandwich or bagel to balance the cream cheese.
– Opt for lower-fat milk or nonfat milk in drinks to reduce saturated fat.
– Avoid adding extra cream cheese-based sauces or whipped cream to drinks.
The Bottom Line
Starbucks’ cream cheese options contain around 7-10 grams of total fat per serving, with 5-6g as saturated fat. So while the cream cheese does contribute additional fat compared to a plain bagel or sandwich, there are ways to enjoy it in moderation. Opt for light spreads, reduced-fat options, add veggies, and balance it out with lower-fat beverage choices. This allows you to still enjoy the delicious creaminess while managing fat intake.
Conclusion
In summary, Starbucks’ full-fat plain cream cheese, chive & onion, and honey walnut varieties all contain about 10 grams of total fat and 5-6 grams of saturated fat per 1 ounce serving. The reduced-fat cream cheese lowers the fat content to 7 grams total and 5 grams saturated fat per serving. Meanwhile, the vegetable cream cheese falls in the middle with 8 grams total and 5 grams saturated fat.
While the cream cheese does add extra fat compared to plain spreads, it can still be incorporated into a healthy diet in moderation by spreading it lightly, choosing reduced fat options, pairing it with veggies, and balancing it with lower fat choices for the rest of your meal or drink order. So enjoy your morning bagel or sandwich with a reasonable spread of creamy, flavorful cream cheese from Starbucks. Monitoring your portion sizes and fat intake from other areas of your diet can allow the delicious creaminess to fit into your daily nutritional needs.
