Is your favorite coffee drink making you gain weight?
Many people frequent coffee shops more than they do restaurants. Coffee in general is a low-glycemic item, which is good. Even when you add milk you're still in pretty decent shape. However, after you add all the others bells and whistles to your coffee, that once-low glycemic load increases — along with the amount of calories.
If you've ever wondered how many calories and sugar grams are in your favorite coffee drinks, then the following list can give you an idea. Oh, and just for reference, consuming 250 extra calories per day will lead to a 1/2-pound weight increase each week, or about a 24-pound weight increase in a year.
Regular coffee drinks:
Medium brewed coffee: 10 calories, no sugarMedium Caffè Americano: 15 calories, no sugarGourmet coffee drinks:
Medium Caffè Latte: 260 calories, 19 grams sugar (5 teaspoons)Medium Caffè Mocha: 400 calories, 33 grams sugar (8 teaspoons)Medium Caramel Apple Cider: 410 calories, 68 grams sugar (17 teaspoons)Medium Caramel Macchiato: 310 calories, 34 grams sugar (9 teaspoons)Medium Chai Tea Latte: 240 calories, 41 grams sugar (10 teaspoons)Medium Hot Chocolate: 350 calories, 40 grams sugar (10 teaspoons)Medium White Chocolate Mocha: 510 calories, 55 grams sugar (14 teaspoons)Gourmet coffee drinks are good, but as you can see, many of the popular ones are equivalent to eating a dessert. (A couple also exceed the daily recommended sugar consumption of 12 teaspoons or less.) If you're trying to manage your weight, keep the gourmet coffee drinks to a once-in-a-while treat rather than an everyday habit. But if you must feed your gourmet coffee addiction, consider these alternatives and tips, which will decrease the calorie, sugar, and/or fat counts of your favorite coffee beverage:
Order regular brewed coffee or a Caffè Americano (hot or iced).Drink unsweetened iced tea or hot tea brewed from tea bags.Choose skim milk over regular milk with lattes and chai teas.