by CHRIS MACHIAN*
If you’ve ever thought about improving your health or losing weight by breaking a coffee shop habit, the winter season is a hard time to do it. There’s something about holiday shopping with a latte in hand, or sitting by the fireplace at your favorite coffee stop with a great book. How can you stay in your calorie budget and still enjoy a warm beverage?
Where do calories hide? Here’s what to consider:
Whole milk has 150 calories per 8-ounce cup, compared with skim or nonfat milk, which has 80 to 90 calories per cup. The extra calories are purely from the fat that is absent in skim milk.
Large drinks can double your calories, so don’t forget to control portion sizes for your beverages, not just your meals. A venti (large) skim hot chocolate at Starbucks has 350 calories versus a tall (small) with 210. Still sounds like a lot, you say? Consider the syrup.
Regular syrups contain 20 or more calories per pump versus zero in sugar-free versions. If you can’t take the taste of sugar-free syrup, try minimizing the number of pumps of syrup you choose.
Try an Americano instead of a latte, and ask for a bit of steamed milk on the top. You can get the foamy goodness of a latte without all of the calories.
When I’m doing a splash, I treat myself to 2 percent milk instead of nonfat, because it froths a little thicker.
My favorite drink? Americano with one or two pumps of whatever syrup sounds best. If it’s not sweet enough, add a packet of truvia. With a bit of steamed milk on top, it’s the perfect winter drink. Just make sure to order half caff if it’s after noon.
Skip the frozen drinks, unless you are having a balanced smoothie and considering the calories. Choose a nutrient-dense smoothie that contains real fruit, dairy and protein to act as a meal replacement. Most people know, but it is worth reminding that frozen coffee drinks such as frappuccinos often contain more than 500 calories, without much nutritional value.
