Would You Like a Muffin Top With that Coffee?
By: Jen Mueller,
SparkPeople Blogger
10/30/2009 11:12 AM
: 115 comments
: 15,828 Views
The mid-afternoon coffee break. For some, it's enjoyment. For others, it's a necessity in order to function until the end of the day. A plain cup of coffee or tea won't break the bank when it comes to calories (less than 10 calories per cup). But the more "fancy" your order becomes, the faster the calories and fat can skyrocket. A recent study looked at what kinds of drinks people opt for during their afternoon visit to the local Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts.
Researchers from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene stood outside of Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts between 2 and 4 p.m., asking patrons for details about their orders as they exited the stores. The results were published in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease.
According to the study, "Approximately two-thirds of purchases at Starbucks and one-fourth of purchases at Dunkin’ Donuts were blended coffee beverages." The average blended coffee contained 239 calories per serving, which ends up being about 12% of a 2,000-calorie diet. Both stores have a wide range of options, depending on your preference and calorie budget. But there are some drinks you probably want to avoid altogether. For example, Starbucks Strawberries and Crème Frappachino Blended Crème (the large size with whipped cream) has 580 calories per serving, and Dunkin' Donuts large Vanilla Bean Coolata has a whopping 860 calories per serving.
So if you're dying for a pick-me-up but don't take your coffee black, what can you do? A few easy ways to save fat and calories would be to get the small size and/or opt for non-fat instead of whole milk. Also check out the nutritional info of your favorite drink before you order, since many places have it available in the store. Then you can decide whether you'd rather drink your calories, or save them for a scoop of ice cream later on. I'm not a coffee drinker, so I'd definitely opt for the dessert.
What do you think?
Researchers from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene stood outside of Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts between 2 and 4 p.m., asking patrons for details about their orders as they exited the stores. The results were published in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease.
According to the study, "Approximately two-thirds of purchases at Starbucks and one-fourth of purchases at Dunkin’ Donuts were blended coffee beverages." The average blended coffee contained 239 calories per serving, which ends up being about 12% of a 2,000-calorie diet. Both stores have a wide range of options, depending on your preference and calorie budget. But there are some drinks you probably want to avoid altogether. For example, Starbucks Strawberries and Crème Frappachino Blended Crème (the large size with whipped cream) has 580 calories per serving, and Dunkin' Donuts large Vanilla Bean Coolata has a whopping 860 calories per serving.
So if you're dying for a pick-me-up but don't take your coffee black, what can you do? A few easy ways to save fat and calories would be to get the small size and/or opt for non-fat instead of whole milk. Also check out the nutritional info of your favorite drink before you order, since many places have it available in the store. Then you can decide whether you'd rather drink your calories, or save them for a scoop of ice cream later on. I'm not a coffee drinker, so I'd definitely opt for the dessert.
What do you think?
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Comments
Because of my heart, I now drink decaf, which I think isn't as tasty as a regular cup a joe. I know it's in my mind, but it also helps to cut my liquid limit, so its a good thing for me. - 1/28/2013 5:53:10 AM
I also make it at home with reduced fat whipped cream and it's a good afternoon treat with very few calories. - 11/5/2009 3:09:14 PM
My sweet hot drink of choice is cocoa! Make it with original almond milk (60 calories in a cup) and some GOOD dark cocoa powder (I like Lake Champlain's Organic Fair Trade cocoa mix) and you have a really nice occasional treat. Even better with some Dandies or Sweet & Sara vegan marshmallows and a dash of cinnamon. Mmm. - 11/2/2009 7:44:16 PM
the only things I go to starbucks for
is a flavored hot chocolate. and
a sweet treat. But as far
as dunkin dounuts, I have not been in months. - 11/2/2009 5:57:05 PM
- 11/2/2009 12:02:35 PM
Usually a light snack will pick me up just fine. When you don't rely on caffeine, you don't get as big a crash. :D - 11/2/2009 11:00:50 AM
I make my coffee at home. When I feel in the mood for a latte, I put 1/4 cup low or non-fat milk and a spash of vanilla extract in a mug and warm it in the microwave. Then I 'froth' it with a wisk (make it as foamy as desired) and pour hot coffee in the mug. Then sprinkle cinamon on top. So, we now have a mock vanilla latte for less than 50 calories.
Or - McDonalds SugarFree/Fat Free Vanilla Latte/Capaccino - is good when I'm not at home... It only has 110 calories for the large... - 11/2/2009 9:51:39 AM
I saw a colleague that I hadn't seen in a while, and I complimented her on how great she looked and asked her how she had lost the weight. She said that she'd simply stopped drinking her daily latte and dropped 10 pounds in a month! Hearing that makes me very glad I don't drink my calories anymore. - 11/2/2009 9:47:38 AM
- 11/1/2009 5:56:31 PM
I can't tell you the number of times I get questioned or a strange look.
It doesn't help that it's a 1-2/mo thing for me! - 11/1/2009 8:15:16 AM
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