Starbucks is a go-to spot for coffee lovers, but if you’re on Weight Watchers, ordering can be tricky. Popular drinks are full of sugary syrups, whole milk, and whipped cream that rack up Points quickly. With a few simple tweaks, it is possible to enjoy your favorite Starbucks orders without derailing your weight loss efforts.
In this guide, we highlight strategies to keep points low and break down the best (and worst) menu items to order. Whether you’re grabbing your morning coffee, treating yourself to an afternoon pick-me-up, or looking for a quick snack, this survival guide will help you make the best choices while staying on track with your goals.
Sip Smarter: Key Tips for Ordering Low-Point Drinks at Starbucks
Starbucks offers endless ways to customize your drink, which means you have plenty of control over how many Points you’re sipping. Here are some WW-backed strategies for making small tweaks—like swapping milks, adjusting syrups, or skipping the extras—that can make a huge impact on the Points value without sacrificing flavor.
- Choose a Smaller Size: This is one of the easiest ways to save on Points! You can opt for an extra shot in a smaller size for more caffeine with less extras.
- Swap Whole Milk for Nonfat or Plant-Based Milk: Nonfat milk, almond milk, or oat milk are lower in Points than whole or 2% milk. This works for cold foam, too!
- Go Sugar-Free: Ask for sugar-free syrups or fewer pumps of regular syrup to cut down on added sugar and Points.
- Skip the Whipped Cream: Whipped cream is high in calories, fat, sugar, and Points.
- Opt for Brewed Coffee or Americanos: These have 0 Points and can be dressed up with a splash of nonfat milk or sugar-free syrup.
- Stick to Unsweetened Teas: Green tea, black tea, and herbal teas are refreshing, naturally 0 Points, and full of antioxidants.
- Be Cautious with Refreshers: These fruity drinks seem light but can be high in sugar—ask for light lemonade as a healthy alternative.
- Check the Weight Watchers App Before Your Order: Be prepared before you order! Find your favorite orders in the WW app and adjust accordingly.
Best Lower-Point Starbucks Drinks & Food Options
Don’t want to think about customization? No problem. Here are some of the best low-Point drinks and food options to keep you on track. Save this list for easy ordering!
Lower-Point Drinks
- Caffè Americano (hot or iced) – 0 Points
- Cold Brew (plain, unsweetened) – 0 Points
- Iced Coffee (unsweetened, with a splash of almond milk) – 1 Point
- Cappuccino with Nonfat Milk (Tall) – 2 Points
- Iced Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte (Tall, with nonfat milk) – 2 Points
- Flat White with Almond Milk (Tall) – 3 Points
- Caffè Latte with Nonfat Milk (Tall) – 3 Points
- Caramel Macchiato with Nonfat Milk (Tall) – 5 Points
- Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Cold Brew – 6 Points
- Iced Lavendar Oat Milk Latte – 7 Points
- Vanilla Latte with Nonfat Milk (Tall) – 8 Points
Lower-Point Food Options
- Egg White & Roasted Red Pepper Sous Vide Bites – 6 Points
- Spinach, Feta & Egg White Wrap – 8 Points
- Turkey Bacon Cheddar & Egg Sandwich – 6 Points
- Berry Trio Parfet – 8 Points
- Steel-Cut Oatmeal (with no added sweeteners or toppings) – 0 Points
- Smoked Turkey & Swiss Sandwich Bistro Box – 8 Points
What to Avoid: High-Point Starbucks Drinks & Foods
Some Starbucks favorites pack in way more Points than you’d expect. Note that Venti drinks will be even more points than the Grande size listed. Here are some of the worst offenders, plus smarter swaps to keep you on track:
- Caramel Frappuccino (Grande, whole milk, whipped cream) – 17 Points
Swap it for: An Iced Caramel Macchiato with Nonfat Milk (Tall) for just 5 Points. - White Chocolate Mocha (Grande, whole milk, whipped cream) – 19 Points
Swap it for: A Caffè Mocha with Nonfat Milk (Tall, no whip) for only 7 Points. - Pumpkin Spice Latte (Grande, whole milk, whipped cream) – 18 Points
Swap it for: A Pumpkin Spice Latte with Almond Milk (Tall, no whip) for 7 Points. - Iced Lavender Cream Oat Milk Matcha (Tall) – 15 Points
Swap it for: A Lavender Oat Milk Chill (Tall) for just 8 Points. - Classic Hot Chocolate (Grande, whole milk, whipped cream) – 17 Points
Swap it for: A Hot Chocolate with Almond Milk (Tall, no whip) for 6 Points. - Sausage, Cheddar & Egg Sandwich – 16 Points
Swap it for: Egg White & Roasted Red Pepper Sous Vide Bites for 6 Points. - Double-Smoked Bacon, Cheddar & Egg Sandwich – 18 Points
Swap it for: A Spinach, Feta & Egg White Wrap for 8 Points. - Blueberry Muffin – 15 Points
Swap it for: Rolled Steal Cut Oat Meal (No Toppings) for 0 Points.
Enjoy Cafe Vibes at Home with These Recipes
A sure-fire way to save on Points (and money!) is to make your favorite drinks and cafe snacks at home. Here are some delicious, low-point drinks and cafe snacks so you can indulge your tastebuds without blowing your Points budget.
