Starbucks Offers Healthier Breakfasts

Back in April, Starbucks announced it was launching a Health and Wellness platform, which included replacing the coffee chain's breakfast sandwiches with "healthy, unique breakfast alternatives."

Well, that time has come: Starbucks will begin serving its healthier breakfast foods September 3, 2009. The 6 new items include hot oatmeal, a protein plate, and a whole-grain apple bran muffin with fruit pieces.

While making breakfast yourself with your own ingredients is always the best option, I appreciate coffee chains such as Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts offering healthier alternatives for those days when you just don’t have a choice. Here's a peek at what will be offered on Starbuck's revamped breakfast menu:

1. Oatmeal. The whole-grain Perfect Oatmeal is served hot in a cardboard to-go bowl. For $2.45, buyers also get to pick two of three mixes for the oatmeal (served in separate packs): dried fruit, nuts or brown sugar.

2. Apple Bran Muffin. The $1.75 muffin with 330 calories is made with whole-wheat flour, oats, wheat bran, apples, cherries and honey. It replaces the current bran muffin.

3. Multigrain roll. The $1.60 roll has 280 calories and seven seeds and grains. It's served with almond butter or strawberry preserves.

4. Energy bar. The $1.75 Chewy Fruit & Nut Bar is made with oats, dried fruit, nuts, seeds and honey. It has 250 calories.

5. Power Protein Plate. The $4.95 Power Protein Plate has a hard-boiled egg (from uncaged hens), a small whole-wheat bagel, a 70-calorie pack of peanut butter, a cheddar cheese wedge, apple slices and grapes. It will be sold at stores that have cold cases.

6. Fruit pastry. The $1.75 Berry Stella started rolling out last month. The whole-grain pastry is made with seasonal fruits.

Why does this matter to you? Because you will now be able to indulge in an occasional treat along with your tall, black coffee. The best selections on the menu? Perfect Oatmeal--MINUS the brown sugar--and the Power Protein Plate.

P.S.: Check out this awesome "Egg Muffins" recipe for a high-protein, low-carb breakfast treat. It’s easy to make and yummy on its own, or with fresh fruit and veggies.

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