I credit some of my weight gain over the years to my LOVE of delicious coffee drinks. Now, some of my friends would argue I don’t even like coffee. Maybe they’re right. I certainly never ever drink black coffee – or even sweetened black coffee. I was one of the many in line for a green tea frappuccino or a chai tea latte or a white mocha or a mint condition – no, don’t hold the whipped cream or sprinkles. Heck, why not also get a scone while I’m there? They are scrumptious!
So, one of the first things I missed when I started NutriSystem was my “coffee”. Because I missed it so much, I got a bit creative and started crunching numbers. I can see the large coffee drinks with whipped cream and flavorings and scones that I got in the past started out my days in excess of 1,000 calories. Oh my! I was consuming most of my calorie allotment for the day in the morning and getting little-to-no NUTRITION in the process!
However, I’ve figured out there’s a way to get my coffee and drink it too! – and get the weight off.
Starbucks does have a list of beverages under 200 calories here. Caribou Coffee has their list of lighter options here.
But I think we can do better than that! My top choices:
- Grande/medium iced coffee – hold the “regular” sweetener and substitute sugar-free vanilla syrup: Calories: 5 (yes FIVE calories)
- Grande/medium iced coffee with milk (soy, 2% or skim) – again, hold the “regular” sweetener and substitute sugar-free vanilla syrup: calories about 50 (FIFTY). Downgrade to a tall for about 35 calories.
- Tall/small sugar-free vanilla latte (soy, 2%, or skim milk) – hot or iced: calories about 150 for 2% milk, 130 for soy milk, and 110 for skim milk (if I go this route, I count it as a dairy serving)
- Grande/medium sugar-free vanilla misto/caffe au lait (soy, 2%, or skim/nonfat milk): calories about 110 for 2% milk, 100 for soy milk, and 70 for skim/nonfat milk (if I go this route, I count it as a dairy serving) – added per NutriSystem member Ari708, thanks!
NutriSystem has their article on coffee and tea beverages: Iced Coffees and Teas – How Many Calories? Worth a read!
I indulge in a coffee drink several days per week, and I’ve still managed to lose 40 pounds. In my opinion, it’s not about deprivation, it’s about moderation and balance!
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