We all love our coffee, we also love our bodies and with the warmer weather approaching, more of us are more cautious about what we eat. Even though you have switched from that sandwich to a salad, and you taken your Workout to the next level, your weight still isn’t going anywhere. One thing to consider can be your Coffee routine, Your Morning or afternoon Coffee “treat” can be packing on more calories (and pounds) than you may have liked. Good News is, You don’t have to give up your Coffee to maintain your weight loss goals. However, being a little more careful about WHAT you order at Starbucks (or other coffee-chains) can make a difference on your pant-size. Here are a few guidelines to remember next time you are deciding what drink to get.
1. The Less Words in the Drink the Better
The more “simpler” your drink order is the more likely it is to contain less calories. For examples that Grande White Chocolate Mocha 
has a Whopping 470 Calories and 59 grams of Sugar!! (made with the Standard 2% milk and Whipped Cream). If you take off the Whipped Cream you drop 70 calories and 1 gram of sugar. Still a little too much calories. If you got your White Chocolate Mocha “Frappuccino” Style, there’s a little less calories (430 calories), however there’s not less sugar, there’s 67 grams of sugar in a 16 oz. Grande Beverage! That’s a bit hefty for a “snack”. Even “Iced” the White Chocolate Mocha still has a whopping 450 Calories and 55 grams of Sugar.
If you are in the mood for Chocolate, choose the “Regular” Mocha, this drink (Grande Size) has 330 Calories and 35 Grams of Sugar (Still a bit heavy, but a lot better than that 470 calories).
And that “Nonfat” milk still has the 67 grams of sugar, with 420 calories with the white chocolate). It may be “nonfat”, but certainly not a better choice. Nonfat milk is harder for your body to digest and will actually cause that Sugar to turn into fat much faster VS. with “Whole-milk”, the milk has natural probiotics to allow for the better digestion and absorption.
Think “Sugar-Free” is any better? Think again! Sugar Free syrups are made with Splenda, which is a chemical that actually makes you gain MORE weight. So that “Skinny Vanilla Latte” Really isn’t that “Skinny” after all.
2. Always say “Unsweetened”
A few weeks ago Starbucks unveiled their “NEW” Sweet Iced Tea. The Standard Grande Size Sweet Iced Tea has a whopping 80 calories and 21 grams of Sugar, while the “Unsweetened” version has 0 calories/sugar. If you need a little sugar, just add ONE pack of Sugar in the Raw or your own “Stevia” (natural-plant based sweetener). Even the Iced Coffee should be “lightly Sweetened” with “Less pumps” and “less milk”
3. Choose “Iced” verses “Blended”
If you do want that heavy cold-espresso based drink ALWAYS choose “Over ice” VS. “Blended” or in Starbucks terms “Frappuccino”. Most Coffeehouse blended drinks have extra sugar in the “blended/frappuccino” base for consistency. Iced drinks are made with Milk, Espresso, and Sugar. (Opt for no whipped cream as well, and Choose Whole milk instead of 2% or Nonfat). (i.e. Frappuccino drinks have more processed junk, and “iced” drinks have more “whole” ingredients.)
A ‘Flavored” Iced Latte has 190 Calories with 28 Grams of sugar, VS. the Frappuccino Version containing a Whopping 310 Calories and 67 grams of Sugar!! (This is with Whole milk and NO Whipped Cream). So, when that “Frappuccino Happy Hour” rolls around, think twice about going….
Well there you have 3 simple suggestions to order your Coffehouse drink this summer (and year round).
What are some ways you order your drinks during the Slim-down Summer months?
**All nutrition information Courtesy of starbucks.com , based on Grande Drinks.
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