Like clockwork, the coffee chains and supermarkets have rolled out their autumn-and-Christmas greatest hits—pumpkin spice lattes, gingerbread everything, and the internet’s latest darling, the Dubai Chocolate dessert. Yes, they’re delicious, yes, they’re Instagrammable—but nutritionists warn these seasonal temptations may deliver more than just a sugar rush.
Sports Nutritionist Brenda Madole of MyOrThrive explains: “Limited-edition flavours are a festive highlight, but many of these products pack the same calories as a full meal—without the nutrition.”
Let’s break it down:
- Pumpkin Spice Latte (grande, whole milk, whipped cream): 390 calories, 50g sugar.
- Dubai Chocolate dessert: 650 calories per slice, 40g fat.
- Christmas specials (gingerbread lattes, festive hot chocolates, mince pie doughnuts): often 400–700 calories each.
That’s basically a roast dinner in liquid (or dessert) form.
But it’s not just about the numbers on the side of the cup. The hidden side-effects of festive indulgence can be less merry:
- Heartburn & reflux – thanks to cinnamon, nutmeg, chocolate and cream.
- Gas & bloating – pumpkin purée, tahini and rich creams ferment away in your gut.
- Energy crashes – sugar spikes followed by a slump that hits harder than Boxing Day blues.
Madole warns: “A gingerbread latte every morning or multiple slices of Dubai Chocolate at a party can leave you sluggish, bloated, and uncomfortable.”
So what’s a flavour-loving, festive soul to do? MyOrThrive’s advice is refreshingly realistic:
- Downsize the festive drink.
- Split desserts or save half for later.
- Pair your treats with protein to steady energy levels.
- Keep them as a weekly treat, not a daily ritual.
Because let’s face it—December without a gingerbread latte is just bleak. The trick is enjoying the season’s delights without feeling like you need a nap (or an antacid) afterwards.
