The iced apple crisp macchiato from Starbucks is a popular seasonal drink that combines apple and cinnamon flavors with espresso and steamed milk. With its sweet taste and creamy texture, it’s easy to indulge in this cozy autumn beverage. But for those watching their calorie intake, how many calories are actually in an iced apple crisp macchiato? Let’s take a closer look and find out.
What Goes Into an Iced Apple Crisp Macchiato?
Before determining the calorie count, it’s helpful to understand what ingredients make up an iced apple crisp macchiato. Starbucks uses the following components:
– Espresso shots
– Steamed milk
– Apple juice
– Vanilla syrup
– Cinnamon
– Whipped cream
– Caramel drizzle
The espresso provides the base along with some of the signature Starbucks coffee flavor. Steamed milk adds creaminess and volume. Apple juice and vanilla syrup deliver sweetness, while cinnamon spice gives it that apple crisp taste. Finally, whipped cream and caramel drizzle finish it off with even more velvety texture and sweetness.
So while the beverage may sound light and refreshing thanks to the word “iced”, it actually contains multiple sources of calories from the milk, sugars, syrups, and toppings.
Nutrition Information for an Iced Apple Crisp Macchiato
Starbucks provides complete nutrition data for all of its menu items online. Here are the key stats for a grande (16 oz) iced apple crisp macchiato:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 410 |
| Total Fat | 13 g |
| Saturated Fat | 8 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 45 mg |
| Sodium | 150 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 63 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugars | 61 g |
| Protein | 10 g |
As you can see, a grande iced apple crisp macchiato contains 410 calories. It also packs 13 grams of fat, 150 milligrams of sodium, and a whopping 61 grams of sugar.
So while it may not seem like a heavy drink compared to blended frappuccinos or creamy lattes, the iced apple crisp macchiato is quite high in calories and sugar due to all the syrups and toppings that go into it.
Calorie Count for Other Sizes
The nutrition information provided above is for a 16 ounce grande size. But Starbucks offers the apple crisp macchiato in other sizes as well, each with a different calorie count:
| Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| Tall (12 oz) | 310 |
| Grande (16 oz) | 410 |
| Venti (24 oz) | 510 |
As expected, the calorie count increases with the larger sizes. A tall has 310 calories, while a venti has 510 calories. So choosing a smaller size can be one easy way to reduce the calorie intake if you want to indulge in this drink.
Ways to Make an Apple Crisp Macchiato Healthier
While the standard recipe is high in calories and sugar, there are some simple ways to customize an apple crisp macchiato to make it a bit healthier:
– Request less syrups and toppings – Go easy on the caramel drizzle and vanilla syrup to cut down on added sugars. You can also ask for light whipped cream.
– Choose milk alternatives – Substitute the whole milk for lower calorie options like almond milk, soy milk, or skim milk.
– Ask for fewer pumps of syrup – Order just 1-2 pumps of syrup instead of the standard 4-5. This reduces sweetness and calories.
– Skip the whip – Hold the whipped cream to save on calories and fat.
– Size down – Stick to a tall rather than a grande or venti.
– Reduce espresso shots – Order a single shot instead of double to cut some calories.
So while the iced apple crisp macchiato is higher in calories than some of Starbucks’ other iced and seasonal drinks, there are ways to tweak it so you can still enjoy those delicious apple and cinnamon flavors while making it a bit lighter overall. Savoring it in moderation in the smaller size can be a nice autumn treat!
How Many Calories Are in Other Starbucks Seasonal Drinks?
Starbucks has a wide selection of limited-edition seasonal beverages. How does the iced apple crisp macchiato compare calorie-wise to some other popular Starbucks seasonal drinks?
Here is a comparison of a grande (16 oz) size of select Starbucks seasonal beverages:
| Drink | Calories (Grande 16 oz) |
|---|---|
| Iced Apple Crisp Macchiato | 410 |
| Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew | 250 |
| Peppermint Mocha | 470 |
| Caramel Brulée Latte | 350 |
| Chestnut Praline Latte | 390 |
| Toasted White Chocolate Mocha | 470 |
| White Hot Chocolate | 440 |
| Salted Caramel Mocha | 440 |
The iced apple crisp macchiato comes in around the middle of the pack calorie-wise for Starbucks seasonal drinks. Beverages like the Peppermint Mocha and Toasted White Chocolate Mocha are even higher. On the lighter end, the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew has just 250 calories for a grande.
So when figuring out your seasonal sip, it pays to compare nutrition info – the flavors and ingredients can really impact calorie counts between different holiday drinks. Overall, customizing your drink to go easy on toppings and thick syrups is an easy way to trim some calories no matter what seasonal beverage you choose!
Daily Calorie Needs
To put the 410 calories in an iced apple crisp macchiato into context, here is a look at the recommended daily calorie intake based on age and activity level according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans:
| Age | Sedentary | Moderately Active | Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19-25 years old female | 1,800-2,000 calories | 2,000-2,200 calories | 2,400 calories |
| 19-25 years old male | 2,400-2,600 calories | 2,600-2,800 calories | 3,000 calories |
| 26-49 years old female | 1,800-2,000 calories | 2,000-2,200 calories | 2,400 calories |
| 26-49 years old male | 2,200-2,400 calories | 2,400-2,600 calories | 2,800-3,000 calories |
Based on these guidelines, a 410 calorie iced apple crisp macchiato represents around 18-23% of the recommended daily intake for many adults. For more active individuals or men with higher calorie needs, it would provide a slightly lower percentage of the total.
So while the apple crisp macchiato is a high calorie treat, it may be able to fit into a balanced daily diet if calories are accounted for and intake is well-managed for the rest of the day. For example, pairing it with a lighter lunch and dinner would keep total calories appropriate. But it certainly doesn’t leave much room for extras if consumed on top of average meals. Moderation and customization is key if this drink is a go-to!
Benefits of Calories
While limiting calorie intake is important for weight management and health, it’s also key to remember that calories play an essential role in providing our bodies with energy. Some key benefits of calories include:
– Fueling normal body functions: Calories provide the energy needed for everything from breathing and maintaining heartbeat to thinking and moving our muscles. Without adequate calories from food, the body lacks the fuel it requires for basic functioning.
– Enabling physical activity: Active individuals need more calories to power their enhanced activity levels and recovery process. The calories in food get converted into usable energy that allows people to exercise, play sports, lift weights, and engage in all kinds of movement.
– Supporting growth and development: Children and teens have increased calorie needs to support growth spurts and development. Pregnant and breastfeeding women also require extra calories to nourish a growing baby.
– Providing essential nutrients: Most foods that contain calories also supply important nutrients like vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, and fat. These essential nutrients perform vital roles in the body and provide health benefits.
So while limiting empty calorie foods is important, adequate intake from nutritious sources is also essential for overall health. Moderation and balance is key for enjoying treats like the apple crisp macchiato while still providing your body with the calories and nutrients it requires each day.
Comparable Treats to an Apple Crisp Macchiato
To put the 410 calories in a grande apple crisp macchiato into perspective, here is how it compares to the calorie counts in some other popular sweet treats and desserts:
| Treat | Calories |
|---|---|
| 1 slice apple pie (1/6 of 9″ pie) | 411 |
| 1 slice cinnamon crumb coffee cake | 415 |
| Starbucks grande apple crisp macchiato | 410 |
| 1 slice pumpkin pie (1/8 of 9″ pie) | 323 |
| 1 frosted cinnamon roll (2 oz) | 260 |
| 1 slice cinnamon raisin bread | 179 |
As you can see, the apple crisp macchiato is very similar in calories to treats like a slice of apple pie or cinnamon coffee cake, while providing less calories than some giant bakery cinnamon rolls. It delivers more calories than lighter treats like pumpkin pie or cinnamon raisin bread.
Overall, while the apple crisp macchiato is an indulgent seasonal beverage, it contains a comparable amount of calories to many sweet autumnal baked goods. So if you’re going to treat yourself, it may be an option relatively on par with other apple and cinnamon-flavored indulgences.
Tips for Enjoying Apple Crisp Macchiatos Guilt-Free
Here are some tips for enjoying apple crisp macchiatos and other seasonal Starbucks drinks while still being mindful of your overall health and calorie intake:
– Savor it slowly – Make the drink last longer by sipping it slowly rather than gulping it down. This allows you to really savor all those delicious apple and cinnamon flavors.
– Share it – Split a larger size with a friend so you each get some without going overboard on calories.
– Only have occasionally – Make the drink an occasional treat rather than an everyday habit so it stays special.
– Balance your diet – Be sure to balance out the rest of your meals and snacks for the day with lighter, nutrient-dense foods.
– Customize it – Request fewer pumps of syrup, substitute milks, hold the whipped cream, and other tweaks to cut calories.
– Walk and drink – If the weather allows, sip your drink during a brisk walk to offset some of the calories burned.
– Watch portions the rest of the day – Keep an eye on how much you indulge in other treats the rest of the day if you plan to enjoy this higher calorie drink.
– Stick to smaller sizes – Choose the tall rather than the grande or venti to keep calories down.
By implementing some of these tips, you can keep your overall diet balanced and figure this special treat into your daily calorie intake. Be sure to check out the other lower calorie Starbucks seasonal drinks too for more options to enjoy!
The Bottom Line
A Starbucks grande (16 oz) iced apple crisp macchiato contains 410 calories. This seasonal favorite with its layers of apple juice, espresso, milk, cinnamon, vanilla, whipped cream, and caramel is on the higher end for calorie counts of Starbucks holiday drinks. But compared to sweet baked goods like coffee cake and apple pie, it delivers a similar calorie load for an autumnal treat.
To keep your daily diet balanced, customize the drink to go easy on the syrups, milk, and toppings. And be sure to account for the 410 calorie splurge in your calorie budget for the day. That way, you can still enjoy this cozy, cinnamon-y, apple-filled beverage in moderation as the weather turns cool.