As we know from the famous slogan, America runs on coffee. We sip it to keep cool in the heat, cozy in the cold, to power through sleepy mornings and survive late nights. Caffeine can also be used as an appetite suppressant, but does the number of calories and grams of sugar in your cup surpass in the fattening ingredients in a meal? Here are a few ways to keep your coffee order light, so you can keep sipping your way through the summer and towards a healthier lifestyle.
1. Watch your milk choice
Though if you’re just adding a splash of milk to your drink, it won’t matter too much what kind it is. If you’re looking to order a speciality drink, though, you should think twice before making a quick order and not specifying your milk preference. Most shops, including Starbucks, will assume you want two percent milk, and others will automatically give you whole. Specifying that you would like skim or soy milk instead could save you up to 50 calories.
2. Be cautious of size
On those days when just keeping your eyes open is difficult, it can be tempting to order the largest size cup Dunkin’ has to offer. Before you do, keep in mind that ordering a small coffee can provide you with the energy boost you need, especially if you pair it with a protein-packed snack, and save you plenty of calories. For example, if you order a small instead of a large carmel coffee with cream at Dunkin’, you could save around 170 calories.
3. Ditch the whip cream
Though this sugary treat is tempting, stay strong and turn it down. If you’re ordering a specialty drink, your beverage will be sweet enough without adding these extra, unnecessary calories. Save it for your desserts!
4. Choose your flavor wisely
Even though it’s tricky, you can drastically decrease the amount of sugar in your drink if you get rid of any syrup. A healthy alternative is adding a little bit of powder instead. Cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla or chocolate powder are good alternatives for flavor. If you still decide to give in to your craving, though, order a sugar-free version if that’s available.
5. Add sugar carefully
For those who cringe at the thought of drinking black coffee, it’s ok to add a little bit of sugar to your drink. With one sugar packet usually only adding up to 11 calories, it won’t make a huge difference in the health value of your drink. What you should consider is how many cups you’ll have that day and how many times a week you’ll be sipping on one. If you’re drinking three to four cups a day, each with three or four sugar packets, you could be adding up to 175 extra calories.
Have any more tips on healthy coffee drinking? Let us know in the comments!
