Healthier Alternatives to that Flavored Latte

Been having cravings for one of your seasonal favorites, pumpkin spice or gingerbread latte maybe, but don’t want all the calories, sugar or preservatives that go along with it? There are some healthier alternatives. We’ve found a few that are worth a try.

You don’t have to destroy your diet to get your latte fix. Customize the drink to lower the impact by ordering a smaller size, less flavoring or lower-calorie milk. Try a flavored creamer at home or play around with one of the numerous recipes available online. Check out the article below for details on these healthier alternatives to that favorite hot coffee.

Reduce It

Finding a healthier alternative doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Popsugar recommends customizing drinks rather than turning away from a favorite coffee spot altogether. Unaltered, a standard 16-ounce pumpkin spice latte runs about 380 calories. But we can cut that down to 300 calories by simply going down one size, or even lower to 210 calories with the smallest size.

Other ways to reduce calories include asking for fewer pumps of the flavoring, foregoing whipped cream and replacing 2% milk with skim, almond or coconut milk. The more cuts, the better. Try an 8 oz pumpkin spice latte, half sweet, no whip, with oat milk for a real treat that doesn't break the calorie budget.

Try a Creamer Instead

If you’re looking for a cheaper approach, you can make your own coffee at home and use a creamer in place of milk. International Delight and Coffee Mate each have non-dairy creamers that only add 35 calories per serving. You can knock that down to a mere 15 calories per serving if you choose a sugar-free option.

Create Your Own

You might not be a fan of creamers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still make the perfect pumpkin spice latte at home. Try this Inspired Taste recipe, cutting and substituting as needed to reduce the calorie count. Or go vegan with this Minimalist Baker recipe that calls for coconut milk and uses maple syrup in place of refined sugar. Looking to cut the sugar altogether? Try this Amy’s Healthy Baking recipe, which is sweetened using stevia.

Flavored lattes don’t have to be a guilty pleasure — we can enjoy these healthier, guilt-free alternatives while keeping things in check. So go ahead and indulge, smartly.

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