The scenario: You’re sitting by the pool and its snack time. You and your friends need a drink to beat the heat and you are craving something sweet. Dunkin Donuts is right around the corner so you take a quick drive to get the delicious Coolatta with a sandwich to fill your hunger. If you are still faithful to your summer diet, you might want to step back from this fat trap.
Iced Mocha Latte. Photo courtesy of laneprint.com
If you’re like me, you are more anxious to get a simple frozen coffee at Dunkin Donuts than worrying about how many calories you take in from this splurge. So, what is the solution?
Here is a guide to the best and worst menu items you can purchase from your local Dunkin Donuts:
The Best Drink: Iced Mocha Latte
Iced Coffee is one of the healthiest drinks you can buy on a hot, summer day, and sometimes a plain coffee isn’t what you’re craving. A small Iced Mocha Latte has the right amount of sugar and milk to satisfy your sweet tooth at only 170 calories and 0g of trans fat. For a lighter, 130-calorie version ask for skim milk!
The Worst Drink: Oreo Vanilla Bean Coolatta
With 75g of sugar, and 420 calories for a small Oreo Vanilla Bean Coolatta, you’re better off eating a full meal with a variety of foods. For some people, this drink can be one-third your normal daily diet. It will leave you on a caffeine-high, destroy your diet and make it almost impossible to make smart choices for the rest of the day.
The Best Food: Egg White Wake Up Wrap
Whether you get the western, veggie, or turkey sausage wrap, you’re only consuming 150 calories and they are at least 25% reduced in saturated fat, sugar, and salt to help maintain a healthy daily diet.
Egg White Sandwich. Yummy!
The Worst Food: Tuna Melt Sandwich
Measuring in at 770 calories and 30g of fat, the tuna melt sandwich should be an item that you never buy. Caked with mayonnaise and cheese, the sodium count is almost double the amount you should consume in one day. For one sandwich, it’s not worth the side effects.
Looks good doesn’t it? Try another option instead! Photo courtesy of thatsnerdalicious.com
Don’t get me wrong, Dunkin Donuts is one of my favorite parts of my morning ritual, but the nutritional facts are worth looking into. One healthy option will lead to another as you start out your day. So instead of picking the Coolatta to get your sweet fix, try the iced coffee.
Want the best and worst of Starbucks? Check out CL intern, Jessica Randall’s article for more!
Carrie Westman is a Health and Living Writer for College Lifestyles ™ and a junior at Michigan State University with a major in dietetics. She enjoys a good run and baking yummy new treats!
