Nav Bar

Home Project Gallery Contact About Facebook Google+ Pinterest Twitter Bloglovin' Image Map

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

My New Favorite Beverage: Starbucks Refreshers


In my quest for fitness, I decided to quit sodas. I might have one as a treat every now and then. However, I am quitting the every day soda.

In fact, just the other day my fiance was paying for our food and ordered fountain drinks for all of us. I quickly corrected him and changed the order to two, not three. I drank my water from my water bottle instead. I carry this bottle with me everywhere!

Even so, a nice treat is nice. BUT it has to be a treat, otherwise it beats the purpose of calling it a treat.

This is where Starbucks Refreshers are coming in as an alternative to Coke.

Starbucks Refreshers vs. Coke

Here is the nutritional facts show down:

Starbucks Refreshers vs. Coke

Starbucks Refreshers have less Calories, Carbs and Sugar
than Coke and more caffeine.  Plus Starbucks Refreshers are
loaded with vitamins!
Starbucks
Refresher
Coke
Calories
60
140
Fat
0 g
0 g
Cholesterol
0 mg
0 mg
Sodium
5 mg
45 mg
Total Carbs
19 g
39 g
Sugars
13 g
39 g
Protein
0 g
0 g
Vitamin A
0%
0%
Vitamin B6
25%
0%
Vitamin C
20%
0%
Calcium
0%
0%
Iron
0%
0%
Caffeine
50 mg
34 mg
Serving size = 12 oz., Strawberry Lemonade Refresher used for comparison.



Now, I have heard that the vitamins in Starbucks refreshers are synthetic, so I can't say that these beverages are technically healthy. However, if you are looking for a sweet, carbonated beverage with a gentle amount of caffeine and an energy boost (via vitamins), I think its a good alternative. Perfect for an afternoon pick me up.

Ingredients List Comparison

Starbucks Refresher
Coke
Carbonated water, fruit juices from concentrate (white grape, apple, lemon, strawberry), erthyritol, natural flavors, green coffee bean extract, citric acid, vegetable juice (color), rebaudioside-A (stevia leaf extract), panax ginseng root powder extract, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), niacinamide (vitamin B3), calcium D-pantothenate (vitamin B5), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6). Contains 25% juice and 50mg of Panax Ginxeng per serving.
Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural flavors, caffeine.

Starbucks Refreshers Via - instant beverage. I mix 1/2 Via
with a 12 oz can of carbonated water for a yummy treat and
only 35 Calories!  The Via version has 110% Vitamin C
per 1/2 packet. (image courtesy of starbucks.com with text
by ngnrdgrl.blogspot.com)
Plus, the ingredients in the Starbucks Refresher can sound more appealing to me than a can of coke. There are certainly more ingredients in the Starbucks can, but no high fructose corn syrup. Stevia is a natural sweetener that is low in sugar and Calories. Instead of using artificial coloring, the refresher uses vegetable juice for coloring.

I really like the refreshers out of the can (same with cokes), but I have also tried the Via powders. The nice thing about the powder is that you don't have to use the whole packet. The bad thing about the packet is they don't dissolve very well. I find that after mixing it up if I let it sit for a bit, it will dissolve more.

One packet supposedly makes 16 oz. Well, I don't own 16 oz glasses. My tallest glass is 12 oz. So here's what I do. I mix half a packet with 12 oz of carbonated water. This makes a yummy treat that is only 35 Calories!

Beverage Comparison

Here are some comparisons to other beverages:

Drink Comparison

Calories
Sugar
Fat
Caffeine
Starbucks
Refresher
6013 g0 g
50 mg
Drip Coffee
100
-
3 g
145 mg
Latte
150
-
6 g
75 mg
Black Tea
0
0 g
0 g
63 mg
Coke
140
39 g
0 g34 mg
Diet Coke
1-4*
0 g
0 g45 mg
Red Bull
157
39 g
0 g
113 mg
Mountain Dew
170
46 g
0 g
54 mg
12 oz used for comparison. Assumed 2% milk and no sugar in coffee. Tea assumes no milk or sugar added.
*When beverages contain less than 5 Calories, companies are not obligated to report it and can claim 0 Calories.


Looking at this list, it is clear to me that drinking tea is perhaps the most healthy of the caffeinated beverages. Unfortunately, tea has never been my cup of tea. ;)

I don't know why, but I have never really been into tea. Sometimes I like to have an un-caffeinated cup before bedtime. My doctor actually prescribed chamomile tea to aid in sleep. It definitely helps me fall asleep, but then I end up waking up to pee numerous times.

I am a huge anti-diet-soda person. The artificial sweeteners have me running for the hills. Artificial sweeteners have been linked to weight gain, high blood pressure and depression (see resources below). I'd rather just cut out coke then resort to diet coke (which is what I am attempting).

Image courtesy of Just say no to diet soda! by Freak of Nature Fitness.

For now, a cup of coffee in the morning is still my caffeinated beverage of choice. For evening beverages, I have been drinking lightly flavored carbonated water. For a weekend treat, I might choose a Starbucks Refresher for a soda substitute.

I also enjoy the Zevia line of carbonated beverages. They take advantage of the stevia sweetener just like the Starbucks Refreshers. They have a tanginess to them that is very different from other sodas, but pairs nicely with their ginger ale and ginger root beer. {I love ginger ales! Hard apple ginger cider is the best!}

What is your favorite beverage/treat? Have you tried to kick (or reduce) your favorite beverage/treat due to health/fitness reasons? How did you quit or what did you replace it with?

Sources:

  1. Starbucks Official Website
  2. My Fitness Pal
  3. Diet Coke vs. Coca-Cola Zero: What's The Difference? 
  4. Caffeine Content of Drinks
  5. Artificial Sweeteners Linked To Weight Gain
  6. Artificial Sweetener Causes Cancer in Rats at Levels Currently Approved for Humans, New Study Suggests
  7. Diet Drinks, Artificial Sweeteners Tied to Greater Risk of Depression

25 comments:

  1. That is a significant change. I don't drink soda/pop/soda pop/Coke, etc..., whatever you want to call it. Water, lemonade, and home-brewed coffee are how I roll. Congratulations to you. I know the addiction to Coke/Pepsi (etc...) can be a hard habit to kick. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coke (or Dr Pepper) has been one of my guilty pleasures since I was a teenager. I typically would have one or two a day and when I was in college would drink more while studying. A couple years ago I decided to stop drinking it in the evening because I was having a hard time falling asleep and thought the caffeine was giving me trouble. I switched to carbonated water to give me something fizzy to drink. After counting Calories with MFP, I decided to just quit all together except for an occasional treat. I had one a couple of weeks ago and it just didn't give me the pleasure I normally associate with it. I felt disappointed in myself for being lured into it. I am feeling really pleased with myself for quitting. It was definitely a hard habit to kick and I am not substituting these refreshers for a normal beverage. Just a Sunday afternoon treat here or there but not all the time. :) Thanks for stopping by! :D

      Delete
  2. Mmmm! I haven't tried these yet, but you've convinced me! They look so yummy! Thanks for the tip, friend!

    ~Abby =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think they are so yummy! And I like that they are lower Calories/sugar than soda. Much more expensive though, if you are buying them in a can. But maybe that is a good thing? Keep me from buying too many of them. ;)

      Thanks for stopping by, friend!

      Delete
  3. I have never been a soda fiend but do understand the addiction.. I love coffee(without sugar)...I buy these at Sams' club and love, love them. I pop one in the freezer until it's icy cold and voila!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yum. Yeah, I love coffee too. At least coffee has been shown to have health benefits. Although, I am sure I put too much cream in mine. I have an appliance that heats up the milk/cream and froths it. I then make my coffee via stove top espresso maker. It makes great coffee!

      Delete
  4. Never heard of them before. What do the taste like exactly?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are sweet, fruity and carbonated. If you like sweet and carbonated, they are a great alternative to soda. We really like them. There are three main flavors: Strawberry Lemonade, Raspberry Pomegranate and Orange Melon. They do have stevia in them, which some people don't like. Stevia is a natural, low Calorie, alternative sweetener. I don't mind the stevia flavor in these. I think it is pretty well balanced with other sweeteners.

      Delete
  5. In any case, on the grounds that the market is blasting does not imply that exploration and arranging isn't required. Similarly as with any business, having a sound marketable strategy is fundamental to be effective in the refreshment business.stash's roslindale

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for all of the ideas. I drink True Lemon raspberry lemonade. it is natural and made with lemons. Can you tell me if this is a good alternative to plain water? Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge! cold pressed juice
    nutrition drinks

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yes i am totally agreed with this article and i just want say that this article is very nice and very informative article.I will make sure to be reading your blog more. You made a good point but I can't help but wonder, what about the other side? !!!!!!Thanks Jual Bubuk Minuman

    ReplyDelete
  9. I’m a new pertaining to almost all of the articles or blog posts, My spouse and i definitely savored, I'd personally genuinely like additional files with regards to this specific, since it can be okay., Congratulations for the purpose of putting up. distributor bubuk green tea

    ReplyDelete
  10. It begins with information on what enthusiastic relationship to foods you need to make when eating and information on foods influence on the body to start. California Balsamic vinaigrette

    ReplyDelete
  11. I was determined to spend my little free time dining out at as many local restaurants as possible to get a true sense of the island. Food in many ways is a direct reflection of a destination's culture and its people. ting jamaican

    ReplyDelete
  12. Really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us.Great site and a great topic as well i really get amazed to read this. Its really good. click here

    ReplyDelete
  13. Cafés are very common in San Francisco. Truly, there are more than 300 bistros all through the City - that is around 6 for every square mile!nWhy are there so many. the best coffee in the world

    ReplyDelete
  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  15. In the event that you keep drinking (since you don't feel that weariness) you just amplify the impact of the liquor on your body just as devour a possibly risky measure of caffeine (on the off chance that you keep on drinking the caffeinated drink blend).malta drinks

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anti diet soda is my favorite beverage. Anti diet soda is not good for health this was totally unknown to me. After reading your article I have learnt that the harmful impact of anti diet soda. I am really thankful to you for sharing this dangers mentioned in your article.. Great site and a great topic as well I really get benefited to read this. Its really excellent. California Balsamic vinaigrette

    ReplyDelete
  17. Don't allow your children to get in a food rut. Avoid serving them the same meal over and over again. Start by browsing or reading through recipe ideas from books, magazines, and even online. tractorathome.com/

    ReplyDelete
  18. The Blueprint for the BSER 10th Exam 2023 will be released on the BSER website. The BSER 10th Marking Scheme 2023 is expected to be released in June 2023. The Rajasthan Board 10th Marking Scheme 2023 is detailed here. When the BSER 10th Marking Scheme is released, all candidates who took the Rajasthan Board 10th test in the months of March and April will be able to download it from the official website. Rajasthan 10th Exam Pattern 2023 Rajasthan's 10th Blueprint was announced last year in June 2023. Around 11 to 12 lakh candidates are anticipated to sit for the 10th board test throughout Rajasthan, which is a higher number than in previous years.

    ReplyDelete