Dunkin' Just Released Their New Summer Menu—Here's What Dietitians Recommend

These dietitian recommendations will have you sipping on these beverages all summer long.

<p>Courtesy of Brand</p>

Courtesy of Brand

Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Summer is in the air, and we’re swapping out our warm mugs with iced refreshments. Dunkin’s new seasonal menu will make this incredibly easy.

The breakfast chain’s new coffee drink flavors include a Blueberry Donut Iced Coffee, Vanilla Frosted Donut Signature Latte and Kiwi Watermelon Dunkin’ Refresher. Plus, two flavors return to the summer menu: Strawberry Dragonfruit Dunkin’ Refresher and Mango Pineapple Dunkin’ Refresher. Not to mention that the brand-new Green Goddess Wrap packed with scrambled egg whites, sundried tomatoes, feta cheese and herby dressing sounds absolutely delicious.

Before you take a drive over to your nearest Dunkin’, we asked EatingWell’s dietitians what they would order from the new menu. They gave their recommendations and what to keep in mind before ordering—here’s everything you need to know.

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Our nutrition editor Jessica Ball, M.S., RD and senior nutrition editor Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia agree on the flavor that they can’t wait to try: the Blueberry Donut Iced Coffee. The fruity taste is supposed to mimic the flavor of the fan-favorite blueberry donut.

“While I usually love to drink my coffee hot, sunny days here in Austin make me crave iced coffee every now and then,” Haddad-Garcia shares. “And the Blueberry Donut Iced Coffee looks delicious. Blueberry flavors with a touch of sweet pastry dough sound like a winner.”

Here’s the nutrition information on a small Blueberry Donut Iced Coffee:

  • 170 calories

  • 6 grams total fat

  • 3 grams saturated fat

  • 20 milligrams cholesterol

  • 75 milligrams sodium

  • 27 grams carbohydrates

  • 0 grams fiber

  • 26 grams total sugar

  • 22 grams added sugar

  • 3 grams protein

While the drink is lower in calories and sodium, there’s other factors you should be mindful of, like the sugar content.

“If I were to order this drink, I would choose the small size and ask for half the amount of syrup to help reduce the amount of added sugar in the drink,” Ball explains. “As is, the small version of this drink has about 22 grams, which is close to the 25 gram maximum intake recommended by the American Heart Association and Dietary Guidelines. Using half of the syrup would allow me to enjoy the flavor in a way that better aligns with my goals.”

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Haddad-Garcia would order the drink exactly like Ball. Plus, she can definitely see herself ordering the new Green Goddess Wrap for a grab-and-go lunch.

Here’s the nutritional breakdown on one Green Goddess Wrap:

  • 260 calories

  • 6 grams total fat

  • 2 grams saturated fat

  • 10 milligrams cholesterol

  • 900 milligrams sodium

  • 37 grams carbohydrates

  • 3 grams fiber

  • 4 grams total sugar

  • 1 gram added sugar

  • 15 grams protein

“Its combination of scrambled white eggs, farro and feta cheese provides 15 grams of protein for a satisfying bite,” Haddad-Garcia explains. “However, it's on the higher end of sodium, with 990 milligrams per wrap, which is more than 40% of the maximum limit intake recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.” She goes on to say that when she does order this wrap, she plans to limit the amount of sodium consumed throughout her day, especially looking out for sneaky sources.

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As for the three refreshers, our social media specialist Annie Nguyen, M.A., RD has her eye specifically on one.

“I love grabbing a green tea, especially if it’s flavored, so I would definitely order a small Mango Pineapple Dunkin’ Refresher,” Nguyen says.

A small Mango Pineapple Dunkin’ Refresher contains the following:

  • 160 calories

  • 0 grams total fat

  • 0 milligrams cholesterol

  • 15 milligrams sodium

  • 40 grams carbohydrates

  • 0 grams fiber

  • 38 grams total sugar

  • 38 grams added sugar

  • 0 grams protein

The new Kiwi Watermelon Refresher—as well as the returning Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher—are very similar in nutritional value. All three drinks range from 36 to 38 grams of added sugar per small serving. However, Nguyen explains that she would still order the Mango Pineapple Refresher as-is—here’s why.

“Since the small size does have 38 grams of added sugar, I would get it as an occasional sweet treat to keep my added sugar intake lower,” she explains. At EatingWell, we believe that any foods or drinks can be included in a healthy eating pattern. Moderation is key, and a sweet treat every now and again shouldn’t impede on your health goals.

The Bottom Line

While you should keep in mind the amount of added sugar in these drinks, there are healthier ways to try them: order a small and ask for less syrup. Or drink as sold and enjoy it, especially when it's a once-every-so-often treat. As for the Green Goddess Wrap, this choice can be a healthy source of protein if your sodium intake isn’t high throughout the rest of your day.

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Read the original article on Eating Well.

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