Rich, flavorful sipping gives us that warm and fuzzy feeling inside. However, hot beverages don't exactly burn calories. In fact, if ordered without modifications, many of these can tack on over 400 calories to your daily total. While nutritional information isn't always convenient, if you follow these simple steps when ordering at your local Atlanta café, you'll be making a diet-friendly choice.
Keep cappuccinos classically small (8 ounces or less) and request skim milk.
Made with double espresso, hot milk and steamed milk foam, cappuccinos can be a calorie conscious coffee drinker's best friend if volume is kept in control. "One of the great things about the size of the cappuccino is that there's less milk, which decreases the calories and sugar you might get in a larger drink, like a twenty ounce latte," Greg Gamewell, manager at Dancing Goats Coffee (Ponce City Market), said. "Although our default milk is whole, we can always use skim or two-percent milk." Sip on cappuccinos that are eight ounces or less and request nonfat milk. You'll enjoy a perfectly satisfying treat at around 60-100 calories. Tip: Avoid flavored cappuccino machines.
Avoid latte flavors, and request skim milk and no whipped cream.
The term "latte" in English is short for café latte which means milk coffee and is made with espresso and hot steamed milk; it's milkier than a cappuccino. With that said, if you're trying to save calories, you'll want to choose a lower fat milk. Pumpkin spice, cinnamon and caramel add a comforting aroma and flavor during cooler months, but keep in mind, adding flavor usually means adding calories to your drink. If you must indulge in adding flavored syrup to the mix, ask your barista if they have sugar-free versions of the flavorings. Another thing to keep in mind is that many coffee shops will use an alternative base that may save calories. For example, tea, matcha, almond milk or soy milk can be used in place of regular milk.
When ordering hot chocolate, remember these four words: "Hold the whipped cream!"
Okay, you non-coffee drinkers, this one is for you. Hot chocolate, although not coffee at all, is one of the most popular items sold in coffee shops during the fall and winter. Is that surprising? Of course not, hot chocolate is rich, comforting and just plain delicious. But unfortunately, it is one of the most lethal orders calorically you can ask a barista for. A 12-ounce serving made with whole milk and whipped cream sets you back about 380 calories; however, if ordered with skim milk and no whipped cream you can bring that number down to around 210. "Some might feel that ordering a hot chocolate without whipped cream is sacrilegious, but I can assure you, they're just as tasty," Gamewell said.
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