What You Need To Know About Starbucks' Secret "Pink Drink" | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

What You Need To Know About Starbucks' Secret "Pink Drink"

I Hate To Be The One To Tell You, But...

721
What You Need To Know About Starbucks' Secret "Pink Drink"
Starbucks Secret Menu

Alright, so by now, you know that the media is exploding with stories about Starbucks' "secret menu" and the Pink Drink that is sweeping the nation. The perfectly pink concoction is really just one of Starbucks' Refreshers Beverages, either Strawberry Acai or Very Berry Hibiscus, made with coconut milk instead of water. The coconut milk takes the tangy original drink and transforms it into something unbelievably sweeter and more indulgent. People across the nation are practically screaming that it tastes like a pink Starburst (and we all know pink is the best flavor, am I right?) and it goes without saying that this drink is absolutely beautiful to look at as well.

Now, I'm not trying to call myself a trendsetter, but my friends and I have been ordering our drinks like this since our March midterms, because the refreshers are an easy way to get the caffeine boost you need without having to drink coffee. Come finals week, we had a four-drink-a-week habit.

I had heard a lot of rumors about coconut milk. Some people claim that it's extremely good for you while others urge you to stay away. I wanted to find out what I was putting in my body. The answer I got was not pleasant.

One of the first sentences I came across read something along the lines of "Coconut milk is an excellent source of fat for people on the paleo diet." I don't know about you, but I love chicken nuggets and chocolate milk way too much to be on the paleo diet, and an "excellent source of fat" is the last thing my college body needs. So, just how much fat? Is it enough that I can get away with it and maybe just run an extra mile at the gym later? (LOL.)

This is the nutrition information that Google shows for one cup of coconut milk. I've only ever seen these drinks ordered in grande and venti sizes, so I can't speak for the tall, but it's safe to assume that there is about one cup of coconut milk in the grande and 1.5-2 cups in the venti.

Looking at the nutrition info above, coconut milk is full of some great stuff. It's notably high in vitamin c, iron, and magnesium, which are great for boosting your immune system, keeping your blood healthy, and improving bone density.

However, if you look closely, you'll realize that one cup of coconut milk has 552 calories, or 27.6 percent of your daily intake if you're counting. That's fine, right? Go to the gym, maybe burn some extra calories. (LOL again at this idea.) But the more shocking information (and the major point of this whole article, really) is the crazy amount of fat. One cup of this stuff has 87 percent of your daily fat, including two and a half times the suggested daily value of saturated fat. Saturated fats are notorious for clogging arteries, raising blood pressure, and you know, making you fat. Remember when I told you my friends and I had a four-drink-a-week habit by finals? My best friend gained five pounds in the last two weeks of school, partially contributed to by the infamous Pink Drink.

Some people may not care about the amount of fact in there, and that is completely fine. However, when I go to Starbucks, I'm treating myself. It can be that little boost of energy to get me through the day, but it is so, so unnerving knowing that my sweet venti Pink Drink really contained almost twice my daily amount of fat. Not that any of my Starbucks orders are particularly healthy, but this one is mind-blowing. I'll miss you, Pink Drink, but my muffin top will fare much better without you.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Gilmore Girls
Hypable

In honor of Mother’s Day, I have been thinking of all the things my mom does for my family and me. Although I couldn’t write nearly all of them, here are a few things that moms do for us.

They find that shirt that’s right in front of you, but just you can’t seem to find.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons To Thank Your Best Friend

Take the time to thank that one friend in your life you will never let go of.

34
Thank You on wooden blocks

1. Thank you for being the one I can always count on to be honest.

A true friend will tell you if the shirt is ugly, or at least ask to borrow it and "accidentally" burn it.

2. Thank you for accepting me for who I am.

A best friend will love you regardless of the stale french fries you left on the floor of your car, or when you had lice in 8th grade and no one wanted to talk to you.

Keep Reading...Show less
kid
Janko Ferlic
Do as I say, not as I do.

Your eyes widen in horror as you stare at your phone. Beads of sweat begin to saturate your palm as your fingers tremble in fear. The illuminated screen reads, "Missed Call: Mom."

Growing up with strict parents, you learn that a few things go unsaid. Manners are everything. Never talk back. Do as you're told without question. Most importantly, you develop a system and catch on to these quirks that strict parents have so that you can play their game and do what you want.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
tv.com

"Friends" maybe didn’t have everything right or realistic all the time, but they did have enough episodes to create countless reaction GIFs and enough awesomeness to create, well, the legacy they did. Something else that is timeless, a little rough, but memorable? Living away from the comforts of home. Whether you have an apartment, a dorm, your first house, or some sort of residence that is not the house you grew up in, I’m sure you can relate to most of these!

Keep Reading...Show less
man working on a laptop
Pexels

There is nothing quite like family.

Family is kinda like that one ex that you always find yourself running back to (except without all the regret and the angsty breakup texts that come along with it).

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments