By: Emma Slattery, Student NutritionistThe leaves are turning colors, the weathers getting colder, and as everyone knows this doesn't just mean that it's fall it means that it is finally PUMPKIN SPICE SEASON. The season that all the basic girls on campus wait anxiously for. PSL: A HISTORY The Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte was born to the world in 2003- before Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram were around to share its fame. It was the advent of all things Pumpkin and Fall and quite literally the trend setter on pumpkin spice and pumpkin flavors. The inspiration behind Buzzfeed's pumpkin spice pizza, NutriGrain pumpkin spice bars, pumpkin spice Milanos, and even pumpkin spice M&Ms. In 2014, life got rough for the treasured pumpkin spice latte. It was revealed to the public eye that no real pumpkin was used in the making of the latte. GASP. So in 2015 the Starbucks PSL was reformed and revamped to include REAL PUMPKIN. A change that was described by the Institute of Food Technology as doing "very little other than appease those who wanted to see real pumpkin on the list of ingredients." Which is fair but whats the point of getting pumpkin in a cup if it has no real pumpkin. This brings us up to the 2016 autumn of pumpkin spice mania, and the variety of pumpkin spice lattes that have popped up at different chains. Which brings the question which PSL is the best PSL?? THE COMPARISON
The Reigning Champ: STARBUCKS Starbucks is the original and reigning champion of the Pumpkin Spice. Their ADVANTAGES: real pumpkin, and no artificial flavors. Their DISADVANTAGES: calories. However note that all lattes are high in calories because they are milk based and Starbucks PSL has no more calories than its competitors when ordered with no whip and skim milk. Second Best: DUNKIN Most people pick a side- Dunkin or Starbs. So for all you Dunkin fans, ADVANTAGES: calories. Dunkin Pumpkin Swirl Latte (still abbreviated to PSL) boasts 180 cals in its small, nonfat incarnation. The lowest of the three. Also sugars. Dunkin has the lowest sugar as well- which is still at 36 grams but lowest. DISADVANTAGES: no real pumpkin. Their syrup is a mix of sugar, colors, and artificial flavor. Bringing in the rear: McDonalds McDonalds hopped on the pumpkin spice wagon in recent years with their own version of the drink. ADVANTAGES: literally nothing. McDonald's PSL has no unique features to make it better than the other lattes. DISADVANTAGES: calories, artifical flavors, sugars, and no real pumpkin. Pumpkin spice lattes are a great way to bring in fall, but in moderation. The drink is pretty high in calories (200 for a small nonfat no whip) as well as added sugars (36-39g). So while one might be a great way to bring in the fall season it's best to drink them in moderation.
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