Breakfast · Diabetes-Friendly

Healthy Vanilla Frappe

When I was pregnant, I had an aversion to coffee. Since I desperately need caffeine in the morning, I had to look at different options. One morning, I stopped by Starbucks and got a vanilla frappe and it completely hit the spot! The problem is that I found myself craving one every morning, and I couldn’t justify spending almost $5 per day on my caffeine fix. So I decided to make one at home. I developed a recipe that tastes just like the Starbucks frappe or the Caribou cooler, but significantly less expensive!

The key ingredient here is the xanthan gum. Without it, the mixture separates quickly and becomes unappetizing. A little bit goes a long way though; only 1/4 tsp in the frappe keeps the mixture thick and uniform. This recipe actually has some fiber, about 2 1/2 grams per serving, and about 5 grams of protein! So, besides the caffeine provision, it also has some bulk to make you feel fuller and more satisfied.

Healthy Vanilla Frappe


½ cup 1% milk

1 cup ice cubes

1 Tbsp instant coffee granules

1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Tbsp Splenda

1/2 tsp vanilla extract*

¼ tsp xantham gum


  1. add all ingredients (except xanthan gum) into blender and blend until smooth
  2. sprinkle in xanthan gum and blend for a few more seconds
  3. pour into 16-20 oz cup


*Try different variations, such as peppermint or almond extract!

Healthy Frappe

frappeNutrition information for Caribou Vanilla Cooler (same size, no whip): 430 calories, 0 gm fiber, 86 gm sugar and 2 gm protein

Nutrition information for Starbucks Vanilla Frappe (same size, no whip): 310 calories, 0 gm fiber, 67 gm sugar and 3 gm protein


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