NutritionDoc

Every day, millions  Americans stop at a Starbucks for a quick pick -me -up on their way to or from work or play. And Starbucks conveniently offers a selection of sweets to go with its beverages. How considerate. It is just that millions of Americans would be better off without some of the chain's treats. Take the Chocolate Peanut Butter Stack. The smallish ( 5 oz) bar is made of sugar, peanut butter, milk chocolate, eggs, heavy whipping cream, white flour, cocoa butter, milk fat, and margarine, among other things.

No one would mistake it for a bag of baby carrots or a slice of cantaloupe. But they might be surprised to learn that it is got more calories (670) than a McDonald's Big Mac (560) and, at 20 grams, twice the sat fat. In fact, it has got as many calories as a Big Mac sized Cinnabon and more sugar than a can of Coke.

Granted, the Stack is the worst Starbucks bar. The Caramel Brownie and Seven Layer hover around 600 calories, while the others range from 300 to 500 calories. Of course, many patrons wash their bar down with a 500 - 800 calorie venti Creme Frappuccino.  If only Starbucks menu boards would list the calories in its drinks and snacks. That way, customers would know when they should think of their little pick- me -up as dinner.