Vanilla sweet cream cold brew has become an incredibly popular coffee drink, especially at Starbucks. With its sweet vanilla flavor mixed into cold brew coffee, it’s easy to see why it’s so tempting. But is this trendy beverage actually good for you?
What is vanilla sweet cream cold brew?
Vanilla sweet cream cold brew is a chilled coffee drink made by mixing together cold brew coffee with vanilla syrup and vanilla sweet cream. The vanilla sweet cream is made by mixing heavy cream with vanilla syrup, creating a sweetened whipped cream topping.
Here’s how Starbucks makes their wildly popular vanilla sweet cream cold brew:
- Cold brew coffee
- 2 pumps of vanilla syrup
- Vanilla sweet cream (made with heavy cream, 2% milk, and vanilla syrup)
The finished drink has layers of sweet vanilla syrup, cold brew coffee, and that thick vanilla sweet cream topping.
Nutrition facts for a grande vanilla sweet cream cold brew
Understanding the nutrition information can help determine if this drink fits into a balanced diet.
Here are the nutrition facts for a 16 oz Starbucks grande vanilla sweet cream cold brew:
| Calories | 250 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 13g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 45mg |
| Sodium | 15mg |
| Carbohydrates | 30g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 30g |
| Protein | 2g |
As you can see, a grande vanilla sweet cream cold brew is high in calories, fat, and added sugar. The 30g of sugar is equal to about 7.5 teaspoons!
Key nutrition facts
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key nutrition information:
- 250 calories – A grande cold brew with vanilla sweet cream provides 250 calories, which is a significant amount for a single beverage.
- 13g fat – The majority of the fat in this drink comes from the vanilla sweet cream, made with heavy cream. This gives it 8g of saturated fat.
- 30g sugar – The combination of vanilla syrup and vanilla sweet cream adds a whopping 30g of sugar or 7.5 teaspoons.
Is it healthy?
When looking at the nutrition information, a vanilla sweet cream cold brew is high in calories, fat, and added sugar. This makes it hard to categorize it as a “healthy” beverage choice.
Here are some things to consider when deciding if a vanilla cream cold brew fits into a balanced lifestyle:
Sugar content
The 30g of sugar is concerning. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to no more than 25g per day for women and 36g per day for men. With 30g of sugar, this drink exceeds those recommendations.
Consuming too much added sugar has been linked to increased risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease. So the sugar content is definitely something to be mindful of.
Calories and fat
At 250 calories and 13g of fat, this is a more calorie-dense beverage. Someone who is trying to manage their weight may want to account for the extra calories and fat grams when making this choice.
However, if it fits within someone’s overall daily calorie needs, then the calories and fat may not be a big concern.
Lack of nutrients
Vanilla sweet cream cold brews offer very little in the way of beneficial nutrients. There are no significant sources of protein, fiber, vitamins, or minerals. From a nutritional perspective, it qualifies more as a dessert than a health food.
Caffeine content
The caffeine content of cold brew coffee can vary depending on the brand, but a grande size typically ranges from 150-200mg of caffeine. This is a moderate amount of caffeine, similar to other coffees.
Caffeine has some potential health benefits like increased alertness and concentration, but also drawbacks like disrupting sleep when consumed late in the day. Someone sensitive to caffeine may want to enjoy this drink in moderation or earlier in the day.
Healthier ways to customize your cold brew
If you love cold brew coffee but want to make it a bit healthier, here are some low sugar, low calorie ways to customize your drink:
- Ask for less pumps of vanilla syrup or skip it altogether
- Substitute the vanilla sweet cream for regular cold foam, non-fat milk, or a dairy alternative like almond milk
- Request half sweet cream and half nonfat milk
- Ask for light ice or no ice for a less diluted drink
- Add a dash of cinnamon for extra flavor without sugar
- Try a sugar-free vanilla syrup
- Blend in a serving of protein powder for a protein boost
With simple modifications, you can shave off calories, fat, and sugar to make your cold brew a more nutritional beverage. Keep customization in mind when ordering.
Should you drink vanilla sweet cream cold brew every day?
Vanilla sweet cream cold brew may be delicious, but is it healthy enough to drink every single day? Here are some things to consider:
Frequency matters
The occasional vanilla sweet cream cold brew as a treat will likely not have negative health effects for most people. However, drinking it every day could lead to excessive sugar, calories, and fat that may contribute to problems over time.
Impact on dietary balance
If someone substitutes a daily vanilla cream cold brew in place of other more nutrient-dense foods and beverages, it could push out healthier choices and prevent a balanced diet.
Blood sugar regulation
The 30g of pure sugar makes this drink rank very high on the glycemic index. Consuming drinks high in sugar every day can potentially cause issues with blood sugar regulation, especially for those with prediabetes or diabetes.
Weight management
The extra 250 daily calories from a sugary drink like this could lead to unwanted weight gain over time. From a weight management standpoint, daily consumption is not ideal.
Caffeine dependency
Drinking caffeinated coffee every single day can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms if you abruptly stop. Moderation is key.
Based on these factors, regularly drinking vanilla sweet cream cold brew every day is likely not the healthiest choice. It may be better suited as an occasional treat in moderation.
The bottom line
Vanilla sweet cream cold brew has a tasty blend of flavors, but it is high in calories, fat, and added sugar. The lack of nutrients also makes it more of an indulgent dessert drink.
Occasional enjoyment of vanilla cream cold brew is unlikely to have negative health effects. However, daily consumption may lead to excessive sugar intake, weight gain, and other problems in the long run.
To make your cold brew healthier, customize it with lower sugar options like sugar-free syrups, nonfat milk, and no sweet cream. And be mindful of how often you indulge in this trendy high-calorie coffeehouse favorite.
