Snack Attack: 5 Healthiest Food Finds at Starbucks

Having a Starbucks on every corner could be seen as either a blessing or a curse. If you ask me, it’s the former. And no, it’s not because you get to have their oh-so-cute cake pops at your fingertips at all times. It’s because having a Starbucks on every corner makes staying fueled easy when you’re on the go.

Now, don’t get me wrong: Eating whole, unprocessed foods that you whip up in your own kitchen with a hefty dash of love is obviously always the best option when it comes to your health. But hey, life throws us curve balls and crazy schedules, and sometimes you can’t help but catch yourself feeling hungry with no homemade snack to tide you over. So for those holy-crap-I’m-hungry moments away from home (we all have ‘em), I’ve handpicked my top five healthy food options Starbucks has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a last-minute breakfast or an on-the-go dinner, or just something to satisfy your sweet tooth, I’ve got you covered.

If you need a last-minute breakfast: Classic Whole-Grain Oatmeal

Starbucks’ oatmeal has simple ingredients that make it just about as clean as eating out can get. Skip the dried-fruit topping and brown sugar (they’ll only leave you with a sugar crash an hour later) and opt for the nuts as your topping instead. Nuts boast healthy fats and a bit of protein, which will help to keep you fuller for longer.

If your sweet tooth is acting up: Seasonal Harvest Fruit Blend and Almond Mix

When you’re craving something sweet, stay away from the pastry case. One little cake pop, while totally adorable looking, can have as much as nine grams of fat—not worth it. Instead, grab a fruit cup. If you want something more substantial, pair it with a package of almonds to go with it. The healthy fat from the nuts will fill you up, and the sweetness of the fruit will satisfy your sweet tooth without the processed sugar of, say, a cake pop.

If you forgot to pack lunch: Hearty Veggie & Brown Rice Salad Bowl

Most grab-and-go salads are gross and, to top it off, they don’t even come close to filling you up. If you’ve never seen this salad at your Starbucks, well, that’s because this bad boy is hearty AND yummy, so it goes fast. Loaded with kale, roasted veggies and brown rice, this salad gets you the most nutritional bang for your buck.

If you need a quick snack: Protein Bistro Box

All of Starbucks’ Bistro Boxes are great options, but I particularly love the protein box for an afternoon snack. Naturally, your energy dips in the afternoon, and it can be easy to reach for something sweet to give you a kick in the pants. Instead, you should reach for some protein. The protein in this box (courtesy of stuff like hard-boiled egg and Justin’s almond butter) will give you a slow, steady stream of energy to help you finish out your day. And this box includes grapes, so you don’t have to ignore your sweet tooth altogether.

If you need an on-the-go dinner: Spinach & Feta Breakfast Wrap

Starbucks is an unconventional place to stop for dinner, so I’m going to go ahead and choose an unconventional recommendation: Breakfast for dinner! Starbucks serves their breakfast wraps all day, and this choice gives you a healthy dose of protein, thanks to the cage-free eggs, and lets you squeeze in some on-the-go greens.

See Also:
10 Healthiest Road-Trip Snacks at Wawa
6 Secret Gems in Trader Joe’s Frozen Food Aisle

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Jessica Procini is an emotional eating coach, weight-loss expert and founder of the web TV series called J-CiniTV. She’s on a mission to support women in building healthy relationships with food without counting calories or giving up chocolate. Instead she teaches her clients how to Laugh Themselves Skinny™ so they can have a freakin’ blast while slipping back into their skinny jeans.

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