A Venti-sized issue is on the plates of the Starbucks Corporation. As the recession deepens and the American obsession with nutrition strengthens, consumers are demanding better food at cheaper prices from all eateries. As the Seattle based coffee giant began to see sales plummet, the head honchos decided to overhaul the menu to fit the country’s health and wellness kick. America is becoming a nutrition-lover’s playground, with every company trying to raise revenue by cutting calories. As Starbucks decides to move in that same direction of healthy progress, coffee lovers quiver with anticipation (or is that just the caffeine?).

According to Reuters, “Starbucks Corp, which has tried for years to jump-start a much-criticized food division, plans to revamp its menu at the end of this month to lure health-and cost-conscious consumers.” Not even the most stylish coffee colossus can stand up to the nutrition trend swiffering the nation. Shares in Starbucks ended down 10 cents at $14.82, a dramatic drop from the company’s renowned success in the market. Experts say the high fructose corn syrup and saturated fat bombarding the consumer at every sip and bite has led to the drop in sales figures, causing a panic of reform back at Seattle headquarters. So far, in its early stages, the health initiative seems to be working. Oatmeal, a new addition to the menu, has already skyrocketed to the top-selling food list for Starbucks.

The next move is to reformulate 90% of its baked goods to make the products require as little artificial flavoring and sugar as possible. Natural tasty food is what the country wants, and it seems that Starbucks plans to provide just that. But time, more than market speeches, will trumpet the accuracy of Starbucks’ claims. Will the muffins finally be unhorsed of their 400 calorie count, or is the new menu going to simply be a different looking swamp of greasy gluttony? This reform may merely be a commercial change – a distinction without a difference. How would you know? Perhaps expert training in the nutritional sciences is what should be on your menu tomorrow.