Alright, so by now, you know that the media is exploding with stories about Starbucks' "secret menu" and the Pink Drink that is sweeping the nation. The perfectly pink concoction is really just one of Starbucks' Refreshers Beverages, either Strawberry Acai or Very Berry Hibiscus, made with coconut milk instead of water. The coconut milk takes the tangy original drink and transforms it into something unbelievably sweeter and more indulgent. People across the nation are practically screaming that it tastes like a pink Starburst (and we all know pink is the best flavor, am I right?) and it goes without saying that this drink is absolutely beautiful to look at as well.
Now, I'm not trying to call myself a trendsetter, but my friends and I have been ordering our drinks like this since our March midterms, because the refreshers are an easy way to get the caffeine boost you need without having to drink coffee. Come finals week, we had a four-drink-a-week habit.
I had heard a lot of rumors about coconut milk. Some people claim that it's extremely good for you while others urge you to stay away. I wanted to find out what I was putting in my body. The answer I got was not pleasant.
One of the first sentences I came across read something along the lines of "Coconut milk is an excellent source of fat for people on the paleo diet." I don't know about you, but I love chicken nuggets and chocolate milk way too much to be on the paleo diet, and an "excellent source of fat" is the last thing my college body needs. So, just how much fat? Is it enough that I can get away with it and maybe just run an extra mile at the gym later? (LOL.)
This is the nutrition information that Google shows for one cup of coconut milk. I've only ever seen these drinks ordered in grande and venti sizes, so I can't speak for the tall, but it's safe to assume that there is about one cup of coconut milk in the grande and 1.5-2 cups in the venti.
Looking at the nutrition info above, coconut milk is full of some great stuff. It's notably high in vitamin c, iron, and magnesium, which are great for boosting your immune system, keeping your blood healthy, and improving bone density.
However, if you look closely, you'll realize that one cup of coconut milk has 552 calories, or 27.6 percent of your daily intake if you're counting. That's fine, right? Go to the gym, maybe burn some extra calories. (LOL again at this idea.) But the more shocking information (and the major point of this whole article, really) is the crazy amount of fat. One cup of this stuff has 87 percent of your daily fat, including two and a half times the suggested daily value of saturated fat. Saturated fats are notorious for clogging arteries, raising blood pressure, and you know, making you fat. Remember when I told you my friends and I had a four-drink-a-week habit by finals? My best friend gained five pounds in the last two weeks of school, partially contributed to by the infamous Pink Drink.
Some people may not care about the amount of fact in there, and that is completely fine. However, when I go to Starbucks, I'm treating myself. It can be that little boost of energy to get me through the day, but it is so, so unnerving knowing that my sweet venti Pink Drink really contained almost twice my daily amount of fat. Not that any of my Starbucks orders are particularly healthy, but this one is mind-blowing. I'll miss you, Pink Drink, but my muffin top will fare much better without you.
