Is Starbucks soy milk sweet? (is it healthy, ingredients + more)
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Soymilk is a convenient alternative for people who don’t want or can’t consume dairy, and Starbucks has adopted this alternative.
If you’re interested in ordering soy milk from Starbucks but want to know if it’s sweetened, read this article to find out!
Is Starbucks Soy Milk Sweetened in 2022?
Starbucks soy milk is sweetened, and as of 2022, it’s one of only a few sweetened options at its coffee shops. Starbucks’ soy milk contains vanilla flavoring and added sweeteners. Of all the plant-based dairy alternatives at Starbucks, soy milk has the highest sugar content, including almond milk, oat milk and coconut milk.
Read on to learn all about Starbucks soy milk, including how healthy it is, where it comes from, and more!
Does Starbucks soy milk have sugar?
Yes, Starbucks soy milk contains sugar, which is naturally present in all soy milk and also comes from the company’s added sweeteners and flavors.
Plus, Starbucks’ soy milk has 27 grams of sugar in a 16-ounce serving, which is the size of a Grande.
So that’s higher than any other plant-based dairy alternative that Starbucks offers.
In terms of approximate sugar content across the menu, Starbucks’ soy milk has the highest sugar content of any option and is associated with dairy products like whole milk and 2% milk.
Does Starbucks use organic soy milk?
Starbucks uses organic soy milk to make its drinks. In fact, pro-organic activist groups have made Starbucks’ soy milk a standard they want upheld in other products.
In 2014, an anti-GMO group called GMO Inside began pressuring Starbucks to treat its other milk options like organic soy alternatives.
Is Starbucks Soy Milk Healthy?
According to most sources, Starbucks soy milk is the second least healthy option offered by cafes, after whole milk.
Additionally, these sources compared the milk options Starbucks offers and how much sugar and calories they contain in the same size serving, while soy milk is high in both.
That said, to give you a clearer picture of these comparisons, here’s how much sugar is in Starbucks’ milk options, in a cup of latte without flavored syrups or whipped cream:
- Soy milk: 14 grams
- Almond milk: 4 grams
- Coconut milk: 9 grams
- Oat milk: 11 grams
- Half and half: 12 grams
- Skim milk: 14 grams
- 2% milk: 14 grams
- Whole milk: 14 grams
As for calories, here’s how much of the same amount listed above:
- Soy milk: 150 calories
- Almond milk: 80 calories
- Coconut Milk: 110 calories
- Skim milk: 100 calories
- 2% milk: 150 calories
- Whole milk: 180 calories
According to the data, although Starbucks’ soy milk has about the same amount of sugar as skim milk, it’s much higher in calories, making it a less healthy option.
Additionally, the soy milk Starbucks uses is the least healthy plant-based dairy alternative in terms of sugar content and calories per serving.
Where does Starbucks soy milk come from?
Multiple sources, including baristas, say Starbucks uses soy milk from Silk, a manufacturer that sells it to the public, meaning you can buy it from the grocery store.
Starbucks reportedly uses Silk’s soy milk but has its own brand, so it’s not obvious.
Also, a Starbucks barista on Reddit stated that the company uses Silk vanilla soy milk, which is consistent with how I’ve determined the milk it uses has a vanilla flavor.
Founded in Boulder, Colorado in 1977, Silk is a company focused on plant-based dairy alternatives, including oat, soy, coconut and almond milks, as well as yogurt and creamers.
Does Starbucks have any unsweetened milk options?
Starbucks has several unsweetened milk options, including almond milk and most dairy products.
Starbucks, which supplies oat milk from Oatly, says its product has no added sugar, but that claim has been questioned recently.
Currently, soy and coconut milk are Starbucks’ sweetened options.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on what creamer Starbucks uses, Starbucks coconut milk sweetened, and Starbucks almond milk sweetened.
in conclusion
Starbucks soy milk is sweetened and also has a vanilla flavor.
Additionally, Starbucks soy milk is considered the second least healthy option in cafes in terms of calories and sugar, after whole milk.
Also, Starbucks may use Silk Vanilla Soymilk, but for custom branding.
Finally, Starbucks uses organic soy milk, which is often pointed out by anti-GMO activist groups as an additional selection criterion the company needs to follow.
