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The Starbucks Trenta question: How much coffee is OK? | The Starbucks Trenta question: How much coffee is OK? |
(2 months later) | |
Starbucks is launching a huge new measure for its coffee shops. The Trenta will contain 916ml of iced coffee but is it bad for you to drink that much in a sitting? | Starbucks is launching a huge new measure for its coffee shops. The Trenta will contain 916ml of iced coffee but is it bad for you to drink that much in a sitting? |
In a nation fighting obesity, the arrival of a giant new cup in the US coffee shops of Starbucks might leave some people scratching their heads. | In a nation fighting obesity, the arrival of a giant new cup in the US coffee shops of Starbucks might leave some people scratching their heads. |
The 31-US fluid ounce (916ml) Trenta dwarfs their previous largest measure - the Venti cup at a paltry 20 US fluid ounces (591ml). | The 31-US fluid ounce (916ml) Trenta dwarfs their previous largest measure - the Venti cup at a paltry 20 US fluid ounces (591ml). |
Scaling up a 591ml coffee to a 916ml coffee, you soon see there might be health implications. | Scaling up a 591ml coffee to a 916ml coffee, you soon see there might be health implications. |
Taking a Starbucks Venti whole milk caffe latte and making it a Trenta, you would be left with a drink that contained 447 calories, including 23.2g of fat with 13.3g of that saturated fat. | Taking a Starbucks Venti whole milk caffe latte and making it a Trenta, you would be left with a drink that contained 447 calories, including 23.2g of fat with 13.3g of that saturated fat. |
You also end up with an alarming-sounding proposition if you scale up an iced hazelnut mocha made with semi-skimmed milk and whipped cream (from Starbucks' UK offering). As a Trenta this would add up to 929.2 calories, 24.3g of saturated fat, and 122g of sugar. | You also end up with an alarming-sounding proposition if you scale up an iced hazelnut mocha made with semi-skimmed milk and whipped cream (from Starbucks' UK offering). As a Trenta this would add up to 929.2 calories, 24.3g of saturated fat, and 122g of sugar. |
But these drinks remain purely fictional, because Starbucks says it is only using the new measure for a very limited range of drinks - two types of iced tea and plain iced coffee. There will also be a significant proportion of ice in the drinks. | But these drinks remain purely fictional, because Starbucks says it is only using the new measure for a very limited range of drinks - two types of iced tea and plain iced coffee. There will also be a significant proportion of ice in the drinks. |
For its Trenta iced coffee, Starbucks advertises total fat of 4.5g, of which 2.5g and a mere 230 calories is saturated. The sugar clocks in at 42g and the caffeine content is 195mg, equivalent to 2.6 of the firm's espresso measures. | For its Trenta iced coffee, Starbucks advertises total fat of 4.5g, of which 2.5g and a mere 230 calories is saturated. The sugar clocks in at 42g and the caffeine content is 195mg, equivalent to 2.6 of the firm's espresso measures. |
Only the sugar content might cause concern, with Emma Williams, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, suggesting an RDA of 90g a day for women and 120g a day for men. The Starbucks Trenta iced tea lemonade contains considerably more sugar with 59g. | Only the sugar content might cause concern, with Emma Williams, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, suggesting an RDA of 90g a day for women and 120g a day for men. The Starbucks Trenta iced tea lemonade contains considerably more sugar with 59g. |
As far as the caffeine goes, two Trenta iced coffee cups a day would be fine as 400mg of caffeine a day is widely considered safe. | As far as the caffeine goes, two Trenta iced coffee cups a day would be fine as 400mg of caffeine a day is widely considered safe. |
"If somebody only drinks one or two cups of coffee throughout the day and spaces them out with water they should be fine," says Dr Sarah Schenker, a registered dietician. | "If somebody only drinks one or two cups of coffee throughout the day and spaces them out with water they should be fine," says Dr Sarah Schenker, a registered dietician. |
"But as adults we don't get enough calcium so if coffee is the way we can up our calcium intake then that is the way to do it." | "But as adults we don't get enough calcium so if coffee is the way we can up our calcium intake then that is the way to do it." |
She admits the new 916ml Starbucks Trenta would go through a drinker very quickly. But the 195mg of caffeine within the drink would not have a huge effect on a person who drinks coffee regularly. | She admits the new 916ml Starbucks Trenta would go through a drinker very quickly. But the 195mg of caffeine within the drink would not have a huge effect on a person who drinks coffee regularly. |
"The safest intake of caffeine through the course of the day is about 400mg. The average mug of instant coffee is around 80-90mg." | "The safest intake of caffeine through the course of the day is about 400mg. The average mug of instant coffee is around 80-90mg." |
She admits that coffee can have its positives as it is a rich source of antioxidants, but pregnant women should not consume more than 200mg of caffeine a day. | She admits that coffee can have its positives as it is a rich source of antioxidants, but pregnant women should not consume more than 200mg of caffeine a day. |
And of course for most people, the problems with a 916ml iced coffee will be purely logistical - where do you put it and how quickly can you drink it? | And of course for most people, the problems with a 916ml iced coffee will be purely logistical - where do you put it and how quickly can you drink it? |