The dark side of caramel macchiato: Unpacking its link to blood sugar spikes | Ultrahuman (2024)

FAQs

Is Caramel Macchiato good for diabetics? ›

Caramel macchiato (grande) is a coffee-based drink with high sugar content. Regularly consuming coffee macchiato (grande) may cause high blood glucose levels and insulin resistance. This can negatively impact glucose metabolism, particularly in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes.

The research also showed, however, that one night of poor sleep combined with a strong cup of coffee before breakfast caused participants' blood glucose levels to dramatically increase. In other words, consuming coffee first thing in the morning may limit one's ability to tolerate sugar from breakfast foods.

One of the drinks most frequently ordered as "upside-down" is the Caramel Macchiato. To make it, a barista first adds caramel to the cup, followed by espresso, milk, ice (if it's an iced version), and finally, vanilla syrup.

Nutritional Value

Lattes, for example, have more protein, calcium, potassium, sodium, and vitamin D than macchiatos due to their higher milk content. However, macchiatos can still be considered healthier for those looking to reduce their sugar and milk intake while still enjoying an espresso-based beverage.

Drinking water is an excellent way to stay hydrated without consuming sugar. Green tea, cow's milk, and fermented milk (kefir) could also help you manage your blood sugar responses. Coffee also contains compounds that may help regulate blood sugar, but confirming this requires more research.

Caramel Macchiato – 10 grams

To make this less sugary, skip the caramel drizzle and ask for sugar-free vanilla syrup (though I also recommend using sugar-free syrups judiciously).

The caffeine in a cup of java makes it tougher to control your blood sugar. If yours spikes after your morning cup, you may want to switch to decaf. Even though this drink has a tiny amount of caffeine, it doesn't have the same effect on your blood sugar or insulin.

Water is the best all-round drink. If your family likes flavoured waters, make your own by adding a squeeze of lemon or lime, or strawberries.

In terms of flavor, a caramel macchiato provides a sweet, coffee-forward taste, while a vanilla latte offers a rich, creamy, and slightly milder flavor. If one prefers a stronger caramel taste, a caramel latte might be a better choice, as it is a regular latte with caramel mixed into the espresso.

How much caffeine is in a caramel macchiato? ›

It typically contains cappuccino, espresso, and milk, which add a lot of caffeine. A caramel macchiato with two espresso shots has around 160mg of caffeine, while a caramel macchiato with one shot of espresso has about 80 mg of caffeine.

Starbucks Skinny Caramel Macchiato is made with sugar-free vanilla syrup, freshly steamed nonfat milk, and Espresso Roast, and topped with a velvety-rich foam and a buttery caramel drizzle. It has ⅓ fewer calories than their regular Caramel Macchiato. Macchiato is espresso with a dash of frothy steamed milk.

The verdict: In terms of antioxidant content, blonde roasts are healthiest. Blonde Robusta coffee has the most antioxidants, followed closely by blonde and then medium-roast Arabica coffee.

Macchiato

When to drink it: In the morning or as an afternoon energy boost, but not after a meal. A macchiato, which means “stained” or “spotted”, is the perfect mix of a caffè and a cappuccino.

A grande caramel macchiato contains 32g of sugar.

Keto Caramel Macchiato

To opt for a keto-friendly version, swap regular milk for coconut or the half heavy cream and half water mix. Ask for pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup and no caramel. If you're extremely intent on caramel you can opt for a light caramel drizzle, but it will up the carb count.

While coffee may have some health benefits, creamy, sugary coffee drinks do more harm than good. If you have diabetes, a good rule of thumb is to start with black (unsweetened) coffee.