• Seattle Post Intelligencer , Wednesday, September 3, 2008 10:15 AM

Starbucks this morning is serving up five breakfast options -- whittled down from 200 potential candidates -- in its strategy to present a healthy menu, The choices are: hot oatmeal; a protein plate with a cage-free hardboiled egg and a whole-wheat bagel; apple bran muffins; a chewy fruit and nut bar; and a multigrain roll with either almond butter or strawberry preserves.

None of the foods has artificial colors or flavors or sweeteners, or high fructose corn syrup. For sweet-toothed customers, Starbucks will continue to offer Top Pot Doughnuts. "We are a coffeehouse, and there will always be a place for an indulgent treat," says company spokeswoman Lisa Passé.

For 20 years, Starbucks has been accumulating skinnier choices on its menu but this year it is adding nutrients such as protein and fiber. The shift started in July with Starbucks' Vivanno protein fruit smoothies and Berry Stella pastries, and continues with the breakfast options added today.

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