Starbucks' Protein Plate and Skinny Caramel Macchiato = Good Breakfast?

I’ve generally accepted that anytime I stroll into a fast-food joint, I’m not going to be munching on anything to extend my life expectancy. And finding a healthy meal for an on-the-go individual like me is not always an easy feat.  

However, helped make my dilemma a little easier with its Protein Plate and skinny Caramel Macchiato. Starbucks’ Protein Plate is only 370 calories and has been labeled as one of the healthiest fast food breakfasts by Cooking Light magazine.

And you really can’t go wrong with this savory snack filled with sliced apples, grapes, cheese, a hard-boiled egg, and a biscuit with peanut butter and honey spread. The beauty of this hearty smorgasbord is that it’s simple, delicious and there are no surprises. The biscuit was packed with raisins and was perfectly balanced with the sweet spread. The Protein Plate is loaded with nutrition and provides the necessary boost to power you through those long and tedious days.  It’s easy to polish off this plate because each item really complements the other’s flavor.

The downside to this platter is definitely its price, which is $4.95. I’m most likely paying for the convenience, but this plate is not very filling and is pricey for a collection of simple items I can quickly obtain at the grocery store.

The skinny Caramel Macchiato was a sweet treat and only 105 calories for a tall size. I’m no avid coffee drinker, however I settled on trying the skinny Caramel Macchiato for the first time because it is Starbucks' most popular drink and came highly recommended by the barista. And I think I could get used to this macchiato business, which is a rich, buttery espresso with a splotch of hot foam. Throughout my consumption, the drink was consistently smooth and not overwhelmingly sweet.  Most of Starbucks’ drinks can come "skinny," which is with nonfat milk, sugar-free syrup and no whipped cream.

A downside to this velvety macchiato is its high sugar content, which is 15 grams per serving.

Because I’m not much of a coffee drinker, I was never addicted to Starbucks. However, I was pleasantly surprised how both of these items exceeded my expectations and are worth trying.

Rating:

Protein Plate: 4 out of 5

Skinny Caramel Macchiato: 4 out of 5