Fall is just around the corner, and we all know what that means: it’s pumpkin spice latte time! Nothing goes better together than the chill of autumn, a cozy sweater, and a hot mug of homemade pumpkin spice latte.
Before you go out to buy your first latte of the year though, consider the health benefits of making your own PSL at home.
Why Make Your Own Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte?
Did you know that many store-bought pumpkin spice lattes are filled with sugar? A grande PSL from Starbucks, for example, has a whopping 380 calories and 50 grams of sugar in it. That’s the equivalent of the sugar contained in more than three Twinkies! It’s also double the American Health Association’s recommendation for daily sugar consumption (25 grams).
Store-bought PSLs have several sugar-packed and calorie-dense ingredients, including pumpkin spice sauce, pumpkin spice topping, milk, whipped cream, and vanilla syrup. While the concept might seem healthy, the store-bought varieties are actually pretty bad for you.
The good news is you can make your very own version at home using natural and healthy ingredients.
How to Make a Healthy Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
Skip all that sugar. Making your very own healthy PSL at home is really easy
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces brewed coffee
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 3 tbsp pumpkin puree (100% pure)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon, plus 1 sprinkle of cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- 1 pinch ground allspice
- 1 pinch ground clove
- 2 tsp maple syrup
Instructions:
In a saucepan, use a handheld blender to mix together the almond milk and pumpkin puree. Cook on medium heat.
Remove from heat, sit in vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, clove, and maple syrup. Place the mixture in a cup and use a frother or handheld blender to foam the milk. Pour the coffee into a large mug, and add in the milk mixture on top. Sprinkle cinnamon on top, and enjoy!
The Health Benefits of a Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
By using all natural ingredients, you can make a healthy homemade pumpkin spice latte that satisfies your craving without having to sacrifice your health. Here are some potential health benefits of the ingredients used in a homemade latte:
- Pumpkin puree: A great digestive that’s high in vitamin A, antioxidants, potassium, vitamin C, and fiber
- Almond milk: Low in calories and sugar, high in vitamin E and calcium
- Vanilla extract: Lower in sugar than vanilla syrup
- Maple syrup: A sugar substitute high in antioxidants, riboflavin, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and calcium
- Cinnamon: May help combat diabetes, high blood pressure, and inflammation
- Ginger: Can help treat nausea, muscle pain, inflammation, and indigestion
- Allspice: Can aid in digestion and ease cramps, bloating, and gas
- Clove: High in antioxidants, fiber, and manganese; helps improve brain and bone health
- Nutmeg: Known to relieve pain, ease indigestion, detoxify the body, and increase immunity
