The seasonal drinks went up on the boards in September. Pumpkin first, then maple.
I drink coffee, which I’m told I’m not really supposed to, so I’ve had to think about this one.
Where the fat sits
Black coffee has essentially no fat. Everything that turns it into a seasonal drink can.
- The milk. Many chains use whole milk unless you ask otherwise. In a big cup, that’s most of the fat.
- The whipped cream on top.
- Sometimes the sauce. Some seasonal sauces are made with condensed milk, so the flavour itself can carry fat.
How I order
- Check the nutrition page before I go. Most big chains publish one, and on many you can build the drink and watch the fat number change as you swap the milk.
- Smallest size.
- Skim or nonfat milk. Plant milks vary a lot. Barista-style oat and soy versions often have oil added, so I check the number instead of assuming.
- No whipped cream, and fewer pumps of sauce. Half the sauce still tastes like October.
If coffee doesn’t sit well with your stomach, ask for the same drink as a steamer, with no espresso. Same cup, same ritual. Or make my pumpkin steamer at home (it’s up later this week), where you control every gram.
If you take enzymes, ask your team whether a milky drink counts as a snack that needs a dose.
Stepan’s Rule: I order with the nutrition page already open. Thirty seconds on my phone beats a guess at the counter.
I’m a patient, not a doctor. Coffee tolerance is personal, so check yours with your own team.
Post your lowest-fat seasonal order in the PancreasZen community. Somebody always finds a better swap than mine.