I'm sitting at a local Starbucks writing this blog. Fifteen people were in line when I arrived, and I eavesdropped on their orders. Some requests were cappuccino, caramelized honey latte, caffe latte, macchiato and iced white chocolate mocha.
Now that we can clearly see the calories for our selections posted on above the register, you might think folks would decide differently or visit a bit less often. Still, Americans drink hundreds of calories each day in hot or cold prepared coffee based drinks.
You commit to the gym, eating healthy and sleeping well, yet the 200-400+ calories per drink we brew, sip and savor are essentially empty calories. The kind of sugar calories that find their way to your belly, butt and thighs.
Later in the day, you may consider an alcoholic libation, another chance at empty calories. After a glass, draft or shot, those calories create a conundrum for your body. Alcohol calories must be burned before any fat is burned.
Keeping these figures in mind as you select your drinks for your day can make the difference between looking great and feeling wonderful in those jeans, or investing in a new wardrobe.
Here are three ways to manage the calories for your morning Joe:
1. Don't do it. Why not make FGIF the day your enjoy that sugar hot drink? That will save 4-6x the calories without doing one extra sit up.
2. Size it down. Allow the treat, but in a smaller cup and do your waistband a favor
3. Get lighter or skinnier. Using those terms, the barista is conditioned to prepare your cup sugar free, less fat or sans whipped cream.
You don't have to totally skip your morning caffeine jolt, but if you rethink your drink you may end up happier and healthier.