Why do we love coffee so much? Because it’s delicious, it’s an important part of American culture and it gives us energy! However, some
coffee drinks are like desserts, and if you intend to drink them on a daily basis, you should have some caloric awareness – unless you don’t mind packing on extra pounds.
Here are some ways to be more calorie-conscious at your best coffee shop:
Drink It Black
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Coffee itself doesn’t cause weight gain – it’s what you put into it that does. A medium-size cup of black coffee without sugar has only two calories. If this is a turn-off, then order black coffee and ask for the extras to be served separately so you can pour them in yourself.
Ditch the Sugar
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Replace with sugar-free sweeteners or calorie-free syrup.
No Whipping Cream
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This is a killer! Go without the cream and you’ll reduce your calorie intake by between 80 and 130 calories per cup. Plus, you’ll reduce your fat intake by 8-12 grams. (See WhatsCookingAmerica.net.)
No Chocolate
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Some chocolate coffee drinks contain four tablespoons (quarter cup) of chocolate – that’s 200 calories. If you must have the chocolate, use a low-calorie chocolate syrup – it will cut the calories in half.
Milk Instead of Cream
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If you substitute cream with skim or low-fat milk, you can save 140 calories.
The Good News
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Evidence suggests that the caffeine in coffee could even help you lose weight because it suppresses the appetite temporarily. It also contains diuretic properties to stimulate water loss.
