Last Friday I had a morning doctor appointment. You know what that means ... this gal is treating herself afterwards!
I guess it started at an early age with our local pediatrician. I remember walking out of the exam room, puffy-eyed and still sniffling from having to get a shot (hate 'em!) but really excited to be sporting a sticker and pushing up a red ice pop. The art of positive connotation, ya'll.
My treat of choice on Friday was a soy chai tea from Panera. Which was incredible. Except for the 200 calorie count it carries. I will give props to Panera -- their nutritional information is extremely visible on the menu (and also on this easy-to-use site) so I knew exactly what I was ordering. But still. I may have had a little bit of order remorse afterwards.
Enter ... my favorite new substitution! I found these Cafe Escapes Chai Latte K-Cups at Bed Bath & Beyond and I am here to tell you that they are AWESOME. Each K-Cup already has the sweetener and cream added, so all you do is brew it in your Keurig and start sipping.
Nutritional Info: Cafe Escapes Chai Latte
Calories: 60
Fat: 2.5g (saturated fat)
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 170mg
Carbohydrates: 9g
Sugar: 7g
Protein: 1g
Nutritional Info: Panera Chai Tea
Calories: 200
Fat: 4g (2.5g saturated fat)
Cholesterol: 15mg
Sodium: 90mg
Carbohydrates: 33g
Sugar: 32g
Protein: 7g
Nutritional Info: Starbucks Chai Tea Latte (tall with skim)
Calories: 160
Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 5mg
Sodium: 80mg
Carbohydrates: 34g
Sugar: 32g
Protein: 6g
You can see that the Panera and Starbucks options do have more protein and less sodium, but they are significantly higher in calories, carbohydrates, and sugar. For me, I am good about getting my protein through food sources and I am not (on most days) a big consumer of sodium, so overall the K-Cups are a better option for me. And they are SO tasty!
Cost-wise, you can get 16 K-Cups for $9.59 if you use your 20% off coupon at BB&B. That comes out to $0.60/cup. Do we even need to compare this to the other options?
I just couldn't wait to share this great find with you!
ooh I will have to try these!
ReplyDeleteBTW I love your mug!
Starbucks chai tea lattes are totally my vice. I started ordering them with Soy milk which saves a few calories - but I'll have to pick these bad boys up.
ReplyDeleteYES YES YES!
ReplyDeletechia lattes are a favorite of mine as well! i scored a pack of these at target not too long ago (can't remember if it's the same brand, though) and can't get enough!
I'm totally getting these.... I've snubbed Starbucks in the past few years after falling in love w/ my Keurig and realizing how much money I was spending!!! YIKES!
ReplyDeleteLove that these are only 60 calories. I need all the help I can get.
Delish! I love a good chai. Invest in some chai tea bags and you get all the flavor without *any* of the crazy calorie counts.
ReplyDeleteAnother option for those of us without fancy machines ;): I buy boxes of Tazo Chai tea bags, brew them at double-strength (half the water), then mix in vanilla soy milk. Then you're looking at just the calories in 1/2 c of so of the soy milk instead of all the extra sugar in the SB/Panera versions. It makes an especially good iced chai latte.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a great alternative! We have these at work sometimes, so maybe I'll have to splurge, especially come winter!
ReplyDeleteI was in love with chai lattes before children. Now all I have is coffee with skim-milk. But now I am so in the mood for some chai!
ReplyDeleteIf I may ask, where did you get that super cute travel mug? I just love it!
60 Calories AND only 60 Cents!
ReplyDeleteWow going to get these asap!
Great find!! I LOVE Chai Lattes from SBucks. Will have to add these K-Cups to my stash!
ReplyDeleteOkay, this is a REALLY dumb question, but... is there any coffee/espresso in this? I want to try it but really don't like either of those!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite treats in my keurig!!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome, thanks for sharing. I love a good Chai in the morning, great to see the comparison to really know what you are drinking. www.hopepostkids.com
ReplyDelete