09/26/12 - 0 Comments
Coffee Shop Secrets
A near 500-calorie slice of loaf? Mocha latte or vanilla latte? Whatever is on the coffee shop menu, you are always debating what to get, especially when you are trying to be kind to your waistline and your health. Well, to solve your problems, we’re revealing the numbers and secrets to your favorite coffee shop goodies!
A Cup of Joe: Let’s face it, too much coffee isn’t good for you. So baristas pour just the perfect amount of espresso in each cup, which means size doesn’t really matter. In many cases, if you want a bigger size, you are just getting more milk. If you’re not in a rush, try asking for your coffee in the glass cup, or in other words, “for here,” to be a little more eco-friendly. Take advantage of a “make your own” coffee, which is offered by places such as Starbucks and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. You can control your health and your taste buds this way, while being financially savvy as well.
Cold and Blended: These drinks get very popular during the summertime. One of the well-worth-it blended drinks is Tim Hortons’ iced cappuccino, because of its convenient sizes and prices. If you want something a little more guilt-free, choosing the fruit-flavored drinks is probably your best bet. However, don’t be fooled by the sugar load and the so-called “real fruit.” Panera Bread’s low fat peach nectar smoothie has a whooping 65 grams of sugar in it! Moreover, all these fruit smoothies and fruit teas you find in coffee shops are most likely made from two squirts of flavoring—the rest is just ice. So if you want a cold and blended drink, then anything that is caffeine-based is recommended because of quality, and because you are at a coffee shop, right?
Grab some Lunch: Many coffee shops provide lunches, such as soups, salads and sandwiches. If you’re on the go, a quick sandwich can fit right in the palm of your hand, like the many choices from Starbucks and Tim Hortons. If you are taking your day slow, however, salads for lunch are a good option. Keep in mind that coffee shops are not fine dining restaurants, which means that meats are usually pre-packaged. Eating coffee shop salads, however, is probably the closest you’ll come to freshness and a semblance of nutritional value. Try the delicious salads from Aroma Espresso bar or a vegetarian sandwich from Starbucks. Another coffee shop favorite for lunch is the soups. These bowls of goodness have a lot of salt, sometimes skyrocketing to four digits in the sodium category! If you still want some warm goodness, though, choose the low-fat options and a smaller size.
The Snack Bar: If you want to cut down on calories, focus on portion control. Believe it or not, portion sizes will keep the calorie and fat numbers down, no matter what snack it is. Take the 8-Grain Roll from Starbucks, for example, and compare it to their Birthday Cake Mini Doughnut—despite the wholesome grains in the roll, the mini doughnut has far fewer calories and less fat! Notice the size difference as well. Another tip: rush hour is the best time to get your snacks, as produce is constantly being restocked. It may be a bit time-consuming, but you know that your snack is fresh!
Photo credit: Pinterest, Picturing the Americas
