Are winter drinks really bad for you in the long run?

Here’s a lot more sugar than you would think in each winter drink that we all seem to love.  I know the Starbucks trips have been attacking my waist and wallet, but they may also be attacking my dental health as well.  That means they are actually harming my body and that is a big issue.  

The onset of fall has a lot of implications for different people. For some, it merely signals the end of hot weather and sunburns. For others, it’s the beginning of a lot of camping trips, wearing hoodies, and going to corn mazes. Even still, some people have one thing on their mind, and it’s the fall drinks that become mega-popular during this time of year.

There’s something to be said about that last item. From a college-aged student’s point of view, fall drinks are all the rage at local coffee shops. They’re tasty, they’re seasonal, and they give an extra boost of caffeine every morning when most needed. But from a dentist’s perspective, a lot of these drinks are actually pretty unhealthy for your dental health. Considering flavored coffees are already on the “do not drink frequently” list agreed upon by other health professionals, seasonal specialty coffees are no better off. Read on to see some common drinks you’ll want to drink this time of year and alternatives to enjoying them!

We all love the Pumpkin Spice and they are all the rage among younger crowds when they’re around for a limited time each year. And we get it. They’re tasty. But have you ever stopped to think how much sweetener goes into each and every cup of this coffee? There’s a reason they’re extremely sweet, and it’s not a healthy one. They are so filled with sugar you might as well just kiss your teeth goodbuy.

When it comes to cold winter drinks my mother always sends me a big batch of chai latte mix.  It is so good and let's face it I’m a big fan of chai lattes. They’re quite the tasty drink without being the most popular out there for whatever reason. I find them to be satisfying on the palate without being too overbearing like other sweet drinks, yet there’s a spice to it that is unlike any other coffee or tea you know. Unfortunately, these drinks can have more grams of sugar than a Snickers bar because of the added sweeteners. 

To best enjoy chai lattes, I suggest making your own at home. That way, you know exactly what’s going into it and you’ll undoubtedly save a few bucks in the process.

There is also a huge camping cider that I really love.  Bad news for big fans of apple cider: it’s no better than the above-mentioned drinks when it comes to sugar. While it’s an iconic drink for the fall season, we recommend you have this every now and then, and definitely no more than a cup of it each time you do happen to pick some up. With a ton of grams of sugar per cup, you’re better off drinking this fall favorite in moderation.

So be safe this year when working on enjoying those winter drinks.  Maybe try to drink a little less and keep your teeth a little healthier.