Pumpkin spice pandemonium is upon us — and it’s not even Sept. 22.
Weeks before the first day of autumn, a slew of food brands have announced new offerings based on the seasonal flavor profile that is beloved by some and maligned by others.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University point to the smell of pumpkin spice — with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger — as the reason why people love it so much. According to data released in 2021, the aroma reportedly conjures deeply rooted cozy memories of the late-year season.
In contrast, the ubiquitous fall-time flavor has its detractors. On social media platforms, “I Hate Pumpkin Spice” groups have strong followings, and there’s even merchandise sold on e-commerce sites such as Etsy, Poshmark and Amazon underscoring the disdain.
Love it or hate it, pumpkin spice is big business.
2018 data from Nielsen and Forbes determined sales for pumpkin spice products exceeded $600 million, an exponential increase of $500 million from three years before.
And food brands are getting in early on the action in 2022.
Following a five-year hiatus, Oreo has brought back its Pumpkin Spice Sandwich Cookies.
Nabisco
Pumpkin Spice Oreos. (Nabisco/TNS)
“These limited-edition Oreo cookies feature two golden wafer cookies filled with a rich pumpkin spice-flavored creme, making them supremely dunkable and delicious,” the brand described on its website about the certified kosher offering, which was recently officially announced.
Tate’s Bake Shop also introduced pumpkin spice cookies as a new seasonal, limited-edition flavor featuring creamy white chocolate chips.
“Consumers’ enthusiasm for pumpkin spice shows no sign of slowing down, and Tate’s Bake Shop is excited to debut our crispy cookie twist on this classic fall trend,” the Southampton, New York-based company’s marketing chief Lauren Sella said in a statement, adding that they remain committed to meeting the evolving tastes of their customers.
Tate's Bake Shop
Tate's Bake Shop Pumpkin Spice Cookies. (Tate's Bake Shop/TNS)
Certified kosher, Tate’s pumpkin spice cookies are available with a suggested retail price of $5.99 for a 7-ounce bag.
For customers who like to bake their own pumpkin spice cookies, Nestle Toll House has started selling its pumpkin spice cookie dough (featuring Premier white morsels) alongside its M&M’S Ghoul’s Mix Sugar Cookie Dough.
Available in 14-ounce packages, both seasonal cookie doughs have a suggested price of $3.49.
Nestle
Coffee Mate Pumpkin Spice Flavored Creamer. (Nestle/TNS)
And before Starbucks — which is credited with mainstreaming the pumpkin spice craze with its most popular seasonal caffeinated concoctions — starts rolling out its fall menu offerings, the Coffee Mate Pumpkin Spice Flavored Creamer has been popping up in retailers nationwide within the past several weeks.
With the idea that “the coffee shop isn’t required to enjoy your favorite fall flavors,” the self-described No. 1 creamer also comes in a Zero Sugar version and retails at or around $4.39 for 32 fluid ounces.
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How inflation pushed KFC to put chicken feet on the menu in China
Fast food value meals are quick, yummy and sometimes inexpensive. What you save at the drive-thru, however, might cost you more in health care bills if you indulge in too many of them.
Recently, Eat This, Not That analyzed these meals and found these combos will put you over the limit for calories, sodium, fat and sugar “before you’ve even finished your meal.”
“If you are eating these occasionally, and you feel good, there’s nothing to worry about,” holistic nutritionist Kristen Ciccolini told the website. “The main thing I’d be concerned with if consuming these meals regularly is the sodium content.”
For context, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day; Cleveland Clinic recommends about 44 to 77 grams of fat per day, if you eat 2,000 calories; and the Mayo Clinic says between 900 and 1,300 calories of a 2,000 calorie diet — or 225-325 grams — should be from carbohydrates.
If you’re trying to eat healthier, here are seven meals you’ll likely want to avoid.
Fast food value meals are quick, yummy and sometimes inexpensive. What you save at the drive-thru, however, might cost you more in health care bills if you indulge in too many of them.
Recently, Eat This, Not That analyzed these meals and found these combos will put you over the limit for calories, sodium, fat and sugar “before you’ve even finished your meal.”
“If you are eating these occasionally, and you feel good, there’s nothing to worry about,” holistic nutritionist Kristen Ciccolini told the website. “The main thing I’d be concerned with if consuming these meals regularly is the sodium content.”
For context, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day; Cleveland Clinic recommends about 44 to 77 grams of fat per day, if you eat 2,000 calories; and the Mayo Clinic says between 900 and 1,300 calories of a 2,000 calorie diet — or 225-325 grams — should be from carbohydrates.
If you’re trying to eat healthier, here are seven meals you’ll likely want to avoid.
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How inflation pushed KFC to put chicken feet on the menu in China
AP Photo/Diether Endlicher
“Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese on a sesame seed bun” made for a good commercial but not a healthy meal.
“This meal contains artery-clogging fat from the meat and cheese, along with added sugar from the soda,” Lisa Young, a registered dietitian nutritionist, told Eat This, Not That.
Per meal
- 1,080 calories
- 45 g fat (13 g saturated fat)
- 1,325 mg sodium
- 144 g carbohydrates (7 g fiber; 65 g sugar)
- 30 g protein
AP Photo/Diether Endlicher
“Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese on a sesame seed bun” made for a good commercial but not a healthy meal.
“This meal contains artery-clogging fat from the meat and cheese, along with added sugar from the soda,” Lisa Young, a registered dietitian nutritionist, told Eat This, Not That.
Per meal
- 1,080 calories
- 45 g fat (13 g saturated fat)
- 1,325 mg sodium
- 144 g carbohydrates (7 g fiber; 65 g sugar)
- 30 g protein
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How inflation pushed KFC to put chicken feet on the menu in China
AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File
On their own, wraps can be healthy. But when you pair them with curly fries and a soft drink, any benefits are negated.
“With 1,220 calories, this meal contains more than half of your calories for the day,” Young said. “And both the fries and soda provide virtually no health value.”
Per meal
- 1,220 calories
- 57 g fat (12 g saturated fat)
- 2,310 mg sodium
- 140 g carbohydrates (9 g fiber; 56 g sugar)
- 46 g protein
AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File
On their own, wraps can be healthy. But when you pair them with curly fries and a soft drink, any benefits are negated.
“With 1,220 calories, this meal contains more than half of your calories for the day,” Young said. “And both the fries and soda provide virtually no health value.”
Per meal
- 1,220 calories
- 57 g fat (12 g saturated fat)
- 2,310 mg sodium
- 140 g carbohydrates (9 g fiber; 56 g sugar)
- 46 g protein
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How inflation pushed KFC to put chicken feet on the menu in China
AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File
According to Young, this meal has too much sodium. “This meal contains over 70% of the daily value for saturated fat and more than 60% of the daily value for sodium, making you want to skip it,” she said.
Per meal
- 1,260 calories
- 57 g fat (22 g saturated fat)
- 1,685 mg sodium
- 140 g carbohydrates (7 g fiber; 63 g sugar)
- 53 g protein
AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File
According to Young, this meal has too much sodium. “This meal contains over 70% of the daily value for saturated fat and more than 60% of the daily value for sodium, making you want to skip it,” she said.
Per meal
- 1,260 calories
- 57 g fat (22 g saturated fat)
- 1,685 mg sodium
- 140 g carbohydrates (7 g fiber; 63 g sugar)
- 53 g protein
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How inflation pushed KFC to put chicken feet on the menu in China
HAIGWOOD STUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHY/Business Wire
It’s got turkey, lettuce and tomato, but it’s no healthier than a burger meal.
This meal has 1,000 milligrams more sodium than you should consume all day.
“People with high blood pressure may want to avoid these foods,” Ciccolini said.
Per meal
- 1,380 calories
- 57 g fat (13 g saturated fat)
- 3,360 mg sodium
- 172 g carbohydrates (10 g fiber; 60 g sugar)
- 51 g protein
HAIGWOOD STUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHY/Business Wire
It’s got turkey, lettuce and tomato, but it’s no healthier than a burger meal.
This meal has 1,000 milligrams more sodium than you should consume all day.
“People with high blood pressure may want to avoid these foods,” Ciccolini said.
Per meal
- 1,380 calories
- 57 g fat (13 g saturated fat)
- 3,360 mg sodium
- 172 g carbohydrates (10 g fiber; 60 g sugar)
- 51 g protein
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How inflation pushed KFC to put chicken feet on the menu in China
AP Photo/Candice Choi
Ciccolini urges caution for anyone craving melted cheese over a half-pound of beef.
This one meal has more sodium, and more than enough fat and carbs, for the entire day. It also has one of the higher saturated fat contents of the value meals.
Per meal
- 1,310 calories
- 61 g fat (17 g saturated fat)
- 3,370 mg sodium
- 141 g carbohydrates
- 54 g protein
AP Photo/Candice Choi
Ciccolini urges caution for anyone craving melted cheese over a half-pound of beef.
This one meal has more sodium, and more than enough fat and carbs, for the entire day. It also has one of the higher saturated fat contents of the value meals.
Per meal
- 1,310 calories
- 61 g fat (17 g saturated fat)
- 3,370 mg sodium
- 141 g carbohydrates
- 54 g protein
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How inflation pushed KFC to put chicken feet on the menu in China
AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File
The sandwich by itself is nearly 500 calories, with regular-size sides bringing it to more than 1,300.
If you want to go ahead and blow your calorie budget completely, upsize to a large. That will top your meal out at 1,790 calories.
Per meal
- 1,310 calories
- 61 g fat (17 g saturated fat)
- 3,370 mg sodium
- 141 g carbohydrates (7 g fiber; 53 g sugar)
- 54 g protein
AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File
The sandwich by itself is nearly 500 calories, with regular-size sides bringing it to more than 1,300.
If you want to go ahead and blow your calorie budget completely, upsize to a large. That will top your meal out at 1,790 calories.
Per meal
- 1,310 calories
- 61 g fat (17 g saturated fat)
- 3,370 mg sodium
- 141 g carbohydrates (7 g fiber; 53 g sugar)
- 54 g protein
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How inflation pushed KFC to put chicken feet on the menu in China
AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File
This combo of a beefy five-layer burrito, crunchy taco, cinnamon twists and large soda packs more carbs than some other value meals on the list.
“The smattering of lettuce on the taco doesn’t count as a veggie,” Eat This, Not That wrote.
Per meal
- 1,240 calories
- 34 g fat (11 g saturated fat)
- 1,780 mg sodium
- 212 g carbohydrates (13 g fiber; 125 g sugar)
- 27 g protein
AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File
This combo of a beefy five-layer burrito, crunchy taco, cinnamon twists and large soda packs more carbs than some other value meals on the list.
“The smattering of lettuce on the taco doesn’t count as a veggie,” Eat This, Not That wrote.
Per meal
- 1,240 calories
- 34 g fat (11 g saturated fat)
- 1,780 mg sodium
- 212 g carbohydrates (13 g fiber; 125 g sugar)
- 27 g protein
