Seasonal and holiday coffees are some of the most delicious beverages of the year. Unfortunately, some of them are packed with more calories than anything we would normally drink as well. Enjoy your seasonal favorites without bursting any buttons with these tips.
The first thing to look out for is sugar. Of course, this is easier to do if you are making your own beverage, but you can also request sugar substitutes at most coffee shops. Since sweeteners have virtually no calories and sugar has 16 calories per teaspoon, this can add up fast if you have a notorious sweet-tooth. If you are concerned about the healthiness of sweeteners, there is some good news. Most sugar substitutes are several times sweeter than sugar, meaning that a little bit goes a long way.
The next thing that packs calories into coffee drinks is cream. There is nothing like the sweet, creamy taste of our favorite creamer, but you can save hundreds of calories by cutting back on the amount or using a lower calorie option such as skim milk. You can also experiment with other types of milk, like almond or coconut milk, for healthier options that you may love the taste of.
If you are ordering coffee at your favorite coffee shop, you can forego the whipped topping or ask them to use only half the syrup. After all, these are things you probably would not even add if you were making coffee at home.
The key is to limit our holiday splurges. A creamy, sweet pumpkin latte is alright now and then, but picking one up each day might leave you more New Year’s pounds to shed than you would like. Try healthier ingredient substitutes to enjoy the season without regrets.
