Fall is here, and people are going crazy for their yearly "pumpkin" flavored drinks and treats. Sadly, most don't contain real pumpkin, but artificial flavoring and tons of sugar to give you that "fall in a cup" flavor you crave every autumn.
Many people aren't fond of the "Food Babe", stating she has no educational background to question and enforce what goes into our food. But, these ingredients speak for themselves. I even stopped going to Starbucks recently when I found out that their coconut milk contains corn dextrin, and a long list of other ingredients, besides coconut milk. [Water, coconut cream, cane sugar, tricalcium phosphate, coconut water concentrate, natural flavors, sea salt, carrageenan, gellan gum, corn dextrin, xanthan gum, guar gum, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin d2. Ingredients in most legit coconut milk: Coconut milk, water.] Read more about Starbucks "coconut milk" here
Starbucks has a "My Starbucks Idea" site, where you can submit ideas to bring back old products or create new ones. Here you can log in and vote to bring CLEAN almond/coconut milk to their stores!
I have not had a PSL in over a year, since I went dairy free after being diagnosed with Hashimoto's. I have however, made my own at home using some of these delicious, natural recipes!
A better alternative to commercialized pumpkin spiced drinks:
You have the option to choose your own ingredients! Fair-trade organic coffee, organic pumpkin, non-gmo spices, etc.
- Choose your milk! (cashew, almond, coconut, hemp)
- Add your choice of coffee or espresso
- Add pumpkin puree
- Add pumpkin pie spice
- Add cinnamon
- Add vanilla
- Add maple syrup or coconut sugar to taste for added sweetness
Here are some links to recipes that I really enjoy and think you will too!
Pumpkin Spice Latte from Make It Paleo 2
Dairy Free Pumpkin Spice Latte
Dairy Free and Sugar Free Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer
Iced Pumpkin Thai Bubble Tea (With Dairy Free and Dye Free Directions)
*Main image source: http://www.pugetsound.edu/files/pages/pumpkinlatte-1.jpg