Yes, I enjoy Starbuck’s! I USED to drink Iced Caffe Mocha’s almost every day (hanging my head in shame). To the tune of 320 calories a day! YIKES. All sugar, too. So, lately, I’ve been drinking iced coffees or tea. Way less calories but still not really all that healthy. Today, I sampled the new drink called the Chocolate Banana Vivanno blend which is bittersweet cocoa, 2% milk, whey protein and fiber powders.
But, is it really healthy for you?
I am not sure. Curious if Starbucks can blend them with soy milk instead of 2% milk? 270 calories is still a lot of calories. Personally, I’d like a shot of espresso in the afternoon, too. So the Orange Banana Mango has 16 grams of protein and the Chocolate Banana has 21 grams of protein and 250 versus 270 calories. Also, not sure of the kind of whey protein they are using? Is it a healthier alternative to an Iced Mocha? Probably. But, would my seriously FIT blogger buddies approve of it?
Complete ingredient listing can be found here.
What do you all think?
7 responses so far ↓
1 MizFit // Jul 27, 2008 at 11:18 pm
you know, for me it is 100% about “worth it” which is a personal thing.
in that I dont love wine but DO love me some dessert so I make that trade (I know. I know. people always lecture me on the health bene of wine
).
would I drink it? no. but not because it isnt good for me but Id choose a different way to spend my 250-270 calories (MetRx shake for me. love my metrx)…IMO that’s a crapload (the technical term
) of carbs that arent complex.
hmmm, have I helped at all?
methinks not
2 Fit Mommy // Jul 27, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Yes, that helps. I like the way you think about your calories as “spending”.
Also, good point about the complex carb issue. Prolly not going to be recommended by Hammer Nutrition.
3 workout mommy // Jul 28, 2008 at 12:45 am
I got a chance to sample this at BlogHer and it is very, very, good. I am not a coffee/Starbucks drinker, so I have never been tempted before, but I am now!
That being said, if I were to walk into a Starbuck’s and have to choose between this and a muffin (do they sell muffins?), then this would be my healthier option.
I wouldn’t call it healthy though.
Just my two cents…..
4 Fitarella // Jul 28, 2008 at 1:15 am
There’s a guy in my office that has been drinking them everyday since they came out so I’ve gotten to sample. Taste was definitely good, but I wouldn’t buy one unless it was my only protein shake option. I’m wondering what the breakdown of ingredients in their “own proprietary whey protein & fiber powder ” is? IMO, spend the cals on the Iced Caffe Mochas that you TRULY enjoy
No shame in that at all sista friend!
5 Bobbi // Jul 28, 2008 at 4:51 am
ok this sounds too good! Man I think I am going to have to try one. The funny thing is, I was talking to a friend telling her how I made this yummy smoothie. I used chocolate milk flavored protien a little banana flavored protein and threw in some almonds and told her I wish Starbucks had this! LOL wow they do think of everything. I think mine might have been healthier though;)
6 Mark Salinas // Jul 28, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Not my ” cup o’ Tea”
7 FatFighter // Jul 28, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I have tried these and really like the Chocolate Banana flavor. They do have a lot of calories if you’re just having one as a snack, but I’ve been drinking them as a meal, like breakfast, so it totally justifies the calories. I also like the high protein. But, they are a little pricey… so I will be going back to making my own this week and just having a Vivanno every once in awhile.
Leave a Comment