I am the first person to say that I love Starbucks. In fact, I’m embarrassed to admit that when I travel to Europe (where it seems espresso was invented) I still scout out the nearest Starbucks for my fix.

I don’t know if you’ve been in a Starbucks recently – but they are pushing their new instant iced coffee – VIA. That’s all well and good- and the coffee actually tastes good- but what makes me mad is how they are advertising it. They are offering samples and telling tasters that it’s “lightly sweetened”.

If you look at the back of the package and read the nutritional label, lightly sweetened it is not.

There are two ingredients in VIA. Sugar and Coffee. Sugar is THE FIRST ingredient.

One packet, which makes two cups (or one Grande sized drink) has 100 calories in it. Pretty low compared to a Strawberry Frappachino – but NOT lightly sweetened. It’s sweetened. I guess when the lady at the store told me it was ‘lightly sweetened’ I assumed that it had maybe 16 calories worth of sugar (1 teaspoon), not 100 (6 teaspoons) . ***It has just 20 calories less  than a Grande Coffee Frappachino Light.***

If they offered samples and simply said – yes there is sugar in here – I would not have to write this post – but it’s the way they are selling it that frustrates me. So, from me to you  – a friendly heads up!

At least this way when you make the decision buy the new instant iced coffee from Starbucks, you know what your drinking.