Protein has become all the rage in the world of diet and fitness. Jumping on the trend, coffee giant Starbucks has launched a range of whey protein-infused hot and cold drinks.
But protein powders and shakes have a bad reputation for their chalky taste and chunky texture that can make it difficult to stomach.
The Daily Mail Health team sampled the chain’s new offerings to see how they stacked up – and spoke to a dietitian about whether these drinks really provide the health-boosting protein punch they promise.
We ordered four of the new beverages: a Vanilla Latte (29g of protein in 20oz); a Chocolate Cream Cold Brew (19g in 24oz); an Iced Vanilla Cream Latte (30g in 24oz); and an Iced Protein Matcha tea, which has a whopping 51g of protein in 24oz, which is nearly the entire recommended daily serving for a 150lbs sedentary adult.
Additionally, we compared these enhanced drinks to Starbucks’ traditional offerings, without the added protein.
Protein has become all the rage in the world of diet and fitness, with products flooding the market
The protein versions of each drink cost $0.60 to $1 more for the largest sizes available (either a 20-24oz ‘venti’ or a 30oz ‘trenta’).
The average price for the protein Starbucks drinks came out at $9.70 a piece, while the non-protein versions were slightly cheaper at an average of $8.90.
First up: the Chocolate Cream Protein Cold Brew, which boasts 19 grams of protein in a Grande size. However, it also has 26 grams of sugar in a Grande and 31 grams in a Venti.
For reference, federal health officials recommend men get no more than 36 grams of added sugar per day, while woman should get 25.
It was delivered to the office with a strange froth on top and the team agreed the beverage had an odd smell. Just one sip had us all grimacing. It tasted like a lumpy milkshake. It was chalky and gritty and an artificial aftertaste.
Its saving grace was the chocolate. The team gave the beverage got a 2 out of 5.
The non-protein version fared better. It had a creamier finish, though there was only one gram less sugar. This scored a 4 out of 5.
Next up was the Iced Starbucks Vanilla Cream Protein Latte with 29 grams of protein in a Grande and 42 grams of sugar in a Venti, the equivalent of four Krispy Kreme glazed donuts.
One team member described it as smelling of old socks, while another likened it to wet cardboard.
The taste didn’t change our initial feelings and several of us agreed it had almost a plant, soil-like taste. It scored just a 1 out of 5.
Unfortunately, the non-protein version didn’t woo us either and it also had an artificial taste. It also had 41 grams of sugar. However, the aroma was a little better, which helped bump its score to a 2 out of 5.
While it looked pretty with a pea green-hue, the Iced Protein Matcha had 36 grams of protein but failed to impress our team on taste. And a Venti came in at 37 grams of sugar, the same as a serving of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream.
One team member exclaimed that it smelled like the toilets at his local gym, while we all agreed that the protein taste was overpowering and too synthetic. It scored a meager 0.5 out of 5.
Later next year, the company also plans to launch ready-to-drink versions of its protein beverages that will be available in grocery and convenience stores in the US
The non-protein Matcha beverage, however, was the winning concoction overall, with a creamy, sweet and palatable taste, and three less grams of sugar. It got an impressive 4 out of 5.
From that high, however, came a new low with a tasting of the final protein beverage on our menu: the hot Vanilla Protein Latte, with 27 grams of protein and 43 grams of sugar.
It had such a synthetic smell and taste that several of us grimaced and immediately ventured to the sink to wash it away. It scored a pitiful 0 out of 5.
Thankfully, the traditional vanilla latte helped cleanse the palette slightly, with a familiar non-chemical coffee taste and pleasant sweet finish, though it actually had an extra gram of sugar. The team awarded it a 4 out of 5.
Overall, despite the purported benefits of protein supplements for boosting muscle mass, all of us on the Daily Mail agreed that we would not be investing in the Starbucks protein range any time soon.
Dr Shannon Herbert, a registered dietitian and adjunct professor at NYU Steinhardt in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, told this website that she thinks the Starbucks range is a convenient way of boosting protein intake.
But she says they are best consumed after exercise to avoid the risk of gaining weight.
The health expert noted: ‘Taking in calories beyond the body’s needs can contribute to weight gain, whether it’s from protein, fat, or carbohydrates.
‘The body doesn’t have a storage form for excess amino acids (the building blocks of protein), so we either use them to meet the immediate energy needs of the body (which could be for muscle repair and protein turnover), or convert the excess amino acids to glucose/glycogen or fatty acids for storage.’
Dr Herbert’s preference is to consume protein-rich foods over supplements and she recommends snacking on these throughout the day rather than in one sitting.
She added: ‘You can trial Greek yogurt, hard boiled eggs, or dry roasted edamame as high protein snacks.
‘Hemp seeds, a plant-based source of complete protein, can be added to things like yogurt or sprinkled on top of avocado toast.
Tressie Lieberman, Starbucks global chief brand officer, said in a press release: ‘Our new protein beverages tap into the growing consumer demand for protein in an innovative, premium and delicious way that only Starbucks can deliver’
‘A combination of two of the three macronutrients (protein, fat, carb) as a snack will keep you satisfied and satiated for the remainder of the day.
‘Purchasing your own whey protein isolate to add to your own coffee or other foods, such as baked goods, smoothies, and yogurts, may also be a most cost effective alternative.’
New York-based personal trainer Natalie Alex also agrees that the Starbucks range is a ‘convenient option for people who don’t otherwise get enough protein in their mornings.’
However, she recommends ordering the protein drinks ‘as stripped back as possible with no syrups or fancy toppings and these could easily push calories too high and lead to weight gain.’
Starbucks says its new protein beverages are ‘part of the company’s strategy to drive innovation and modernize its menu’.
Later next year, the company also plans to launch ready-to-drink versions of its protein beverages that will be available in grocery and convenience stores in the US.
Tressie Lieberman, Starbucks global chief brand officer, said in a press release: ‘As we continue to get back to Starbucks, we’re focused on modernizing our menu with innovative, relevant and hype-worthy products that will resonate with our customers.
‘Our new protein beverages tap into the growing consumer demand for protein in an innovative, premium and delicious way that only Starbucks can deliver.’
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .