It appears that Fall is starting to make its appearance here in Korea. Normally, this is not something I look forward to (because it means winter is next), but I am learning to love and appreciate all seasons.
Top 13 Reasons I Like Fall:
I just so happen to work at a preschool in a department store. Right outside the door is a *shudder* Starbucks. I try to avoid all mainstream food-ish things, because I believe they are evil.... But lately, I confess that I have been enjoying some Starbucks.
In the US, as far as I know from research, Starbucks uses "Silk" soy milk. Silk has a bit of a tarnished reputation in the vegan/vegetarian community because they used to use organic soy beans and changed to conventionally grown.. and yes, even GMOs without any notice! Obviously they received a HUGE backlash over this and as of last year, announced that they have cleaned up their act. Now, all Silk products have been verified GMO free by the "Non-GMO Project".
Search here to see if your favorite items are verified non-GMO.
Here are the nutrition breakdowns for a Soy Green Tea Latte vs. a Dairy Milk Green Tea Latte:
Top 13 Reasons I Like Fall:
-The smell in the air
-Stepping on crunchy leaves
-Manageable hair thanks to less humidity
-FIG and persimmon season!!!
-Manageable hair thanks to less humidity
-FIG and persimmon season!!!
-My birthday
-No more fruit flies swarming my bananas
-Making cute halloween crafts with my students
-No more fruit flies swarming my bananas
-Making cute halloween crafts with my students
-Elton John coming to Seoul!
-Soups and stews
AND... drinking warm beverages
I just so happen to work at a preschool in a department store. Right outside the door is a *shudder* Starbucks. I try to avoid all mainstream food-ish things, because I believe they are evil.... But lately, I confess that I have been enjoying some Starbucks.
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| When I came back from getting my tea this morning, I found another one on my desk! My wonderful co-worker bought me one too! The tea gods were smiling on me today! |
Before I became vegan, I loved Green Tea Lattes. But, I didn't love how they made me bloated and how they left a mucosy film in my mouth.
These days, I prefer the vast assortment of herbal teas they have. I am currently obsessed with the Hibiscus Blend!
On the days that I am craving something a little more creamy and rich, I order.... a Soy Green Tea Latte.
I do not believe that processed soy (or any processed food) to be optimal, but I KNOW it is much better than dairy... BY FAR.
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| Choose the mug if you're not in a hurry. Save some natural resources, people! |
I do not believe that processed soy (or any processed food) to be optimal, but I KNOW it is much better than dairy... BY FAR.
Before I begin, let me preface with this- not all soy is created equal. If there was ever a situation where you needed to choose between GMO soy or starving to death, please choose the latter. :)
As with anything, before you consume something that is questionable**- please know the source. The soy milk used in Korean Starbucks is called "Soy Caffe"- it is non-GMO AND non-sweetened! SCORE!
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| Yay! Thanks for making a great soy choice, Starbucks Korea! |
In the US, as far as I know from research, Starbucks uses "Silk" soy milk. Silk has a bit of a tarnished reputation in the vegan/vegetarian community because they used to use organic soy beans and changed to conventionally grown.. and yes, even GMOs without any notice! Obviously they received a HUGE backlash over this and as of last year, announced that they have cleaned up their act. Now, all Silk products have been verified GMO free by the "Non-GMO Project".
Search here to see if your favorite items are verified non-GMO.
Here are the nutrition breakdowns for a Soy Green Tea Latte vs. a Dairy Milk Green Tea Latte:
The main points that I would like to show are at the bottom of the charts. Despite what the dairy industry has lead us to believe, there is more calcium, more iron AND more PROTEIN in the soy drink. Take that, dairy propaganda!!! We are on to you now!
The sodium and sugar differences are likely due to the added cane juice (sugar) and sea salt (sodium) in the Silk product. But the nutrition facts would be different in Korea since there are no additives in the soy milk. :) The reason for the increased carbs (and thus, cals) is due to soy being a plant product. Puss (aka- milk) however, is not a plant product. Everyone knows that puss is low-carb. ;)
Still concerned about calories and want to keep your latte with dairy milk?
Well- to save an additional 72 calories and 18g sugars, you can forgo the "Simple Syrup" (sweetener). Your latte will still have a sweetness from the Silk and you will have much less empty sugars and cals in your body!
Note: The nutrition facts below show the syrup used in the U.S. Starbucks. There are 3 squirts of syrup in a tall size latte in the US, but only 2 in Korea!
Here are a few more basic facts about Soy Milk that the dairy industry doesn't want you to know:
- Soy milks provide more than 10 times as much essential fatty acids as cow's milk. (healthier fat)
- Soy milks are cholesterol free, vs cow's milk which contains 34mg of cholesterol per cup!
- Soy milks lower total LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, but cow's milk raises both total and LDL
cholesterol.
- Cow's milk has about 9 times as much saturated fat as soy does.
- Soy milks contain numerous protective phytochemicals that may protect against chronic diseases.
(i.e. osteoporosis and heart disease)
- No animals are endlessly tortured for the production of soy milk.
- No Bovine Growth Hormones in soy milk.
- When you are drinking soy milk, you aren't ingesting the hormones from a large animal.
Most Americans know very little about soy and don't want to venture out to try new things- understandable. In a hot latte, you will be unable to tell the taste difference between your regular dairy and soy alternative- trust me! Just by subbing out something that you can't taste anyway,
will do a great benefit to your body, the environment AND the lives of other creatures that we
share the Earth with!
No one is under the illusion that any Starbucks product is good for you. Anything loaded with sugar and caffeine is not good for your health, regardless of what ELSE is in it. I just like to help people make smarter choices. The BEST choice would be a herbal tea of course, but for those that aren't quite ready to make that step- choosing soy is a better alternative. Choosing to forego
the "Simple Syrup" is an even better alternative.
Wishing you love and a mucous-free way to keep warm,
Meg
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Notes:
**I used the word "questionable" in relation to soy because 91% of all the soy produced in the US is GMO!!!!! Chances are most of us are just shoveling it in without even knowing it! Soy is found in almost every processed food in some form or the other AND the animals that are used for meat in the US are fed a steady diet of GM corn and soy (among other undesirable things)!
*** All nutrition facts were found here. This site is a great resource for finding out the facts in mainstream foods.
**** Want to know more? A previous post about dairy can be found here.
*The soy drink also has ZERO cholesterol, More Vitamin A, and there is more fiber and less saturated fat.
Still concerned about calories and want to keep your latte with dairy milk?
Well- to save an additional 72 calories and 18g sugars, you can forgo the "Simple Syrup" (sweetener). Your latte will still have a sweetness from the Silk and you will have much less empty sugars and cals in your body!
Note: The nutrition facts below show the syrup used in the U.S. Starbucks. There are 3 squirts of syrup in a tall size latte in the US, but only 2 in Korea!
- Soy milks provide more than 10 times as much essential fatty acids as cow's milk. (healthier fat)
- Soy milks are cholesterol free, vs cow's milk which contains 34mg of cholesterol per cup!
- Soy milks lower total LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, but cow's milk raises both total and LDL
cholesterol.
- Cow's milk has about 9 times as much saturated fat as soy does.
- Soy milks contain numerous protective phytochemicals that may protect against chronic diseases.
(i.e. osteoporosis and heart disease)
- No animals are endlessly tortured for the production of soy milk.
- No Bovine Growth Hormones in soy milk.
- When you are drinking soy milk, you aren't ingesting the hormones from a large animal.
Most Americans know very little about soy and don't want to venture out to try new things- understandable. In a hot latte, you will be unable to tell the taste difference between your regular dairy and soy alternative- trust me! Just by subbing out something that you can't taste anyway,
will do a great benefit to your body, the environment AND the lives of other creatures that we
share the Earth with!
No one is under the illusion that any Starbucks product is good for you. Anything loaded with sugar and caffeine is not good for your health, regardless of what ELSE is in it. I just like to help people make smarter choices. The BEST choice would be a herbal tea of course, but for those that aren't quite ready to make that step- choosing soy is a better alternative. Choosing to forego
the "Simple Syrup" is an even better alternative.
*Tips for a healthier Starbucks experience:
- Choose tea over coffee. (there are no health benefits to coffee regardless of what the coffee
industry would have you believe)
industry would have you believe)
- Choose herbal tea over black tea.
- Substitute soy for dairy.
- Opt for no sweetener OR less. (ex- you can ask for 1 pump instead of 3)
- Coffee and tea are diuretics/ very dehydrating. Drink lots of water to make up for fluids lost. Did
you know that when you drink a cup of coffee, you will pee out a cup and a half of water!?
- Use coffee and tea products occasionally. Don't rely on your caffeine or sugar fix to get you
through the day! Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep, staying hydrated, and eating a
nutrient- rich diet. You won't need to make up for lack of energy if you take care of yourself :)
nutrient- rich diet. You won't need to make up for lack of energy if you take care of yourself :)
Knowing your options, seeing the facts, optimizing your nutrition in realistic, everyday circumstances...
These are just a few more ways to live your life "The Empowered Way"
These are just a few more ways to live your life "The Empowered Way"
Wishing you love and a mucous-free way to keep warm,
Meg
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
**I used the word "questionable" in relation to soy because 91% of all the soy produced in the US is GMO!!!!! Chances are most of us are just shoveling it in without even knowing it! Soy is found in almost every processed food in some form or the other AND the animals that are used for meat in the US are fed a steady diet of GM corn and soy (among other undesirable things)!
*** All nutrition facts were found here. This site is a great resource for finding out the facts in mainstream foods.
**** Want to know more? A previous post about dairy can be found here.
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