Coffee Shops

Coffee Shops

Do you not just love coffee shops? Whether it is the comfy couches, mellow music, or free wi-fi that reels you in, you are bound to stick around for a while and grab a little nosh. Since coffee shops serve way more than coffee these days, it helps to have a little know-how to help you stay on track with your diet. Be careful of the “silent sabotagers” – coffee beverages. Many drinks can have the calorie and fat value of desserts. A large whole milk mocha will set you back 400 calories and almost half your daily limit of saturated fat. If you are the kind who likes a little coffee with your sugar, try to think “less.” Use less sweetener, one pump flavor shot or one sugar packet. Choose fat-free milk. Get a small size “designer” beverage. Choose unsweetened drip coffees, Americano, or iced coffee most of the time and save the indulgent drinks for once in a while. Pace yourself on the pastries. We all love the homemade muffins, bagels, and croissants at the coffee house. But the portion sizes can be over the top. They have all practically doubled in size – and fat and calories. You do not have to totally abandon these tasty treats, but you should really make them treats! Look for bran muffins or low-fat baked goods. Many coffee houses offer modest sized banana breads, hearty muffins made with with carrots, apples, and raisins. The low-fat recipes will use less oil and replace it with low-fat yogurt or applesauce. Coffee shops are places I go to and unwind. I really like those in located in bookstores. I go at least once a week to Books A Million (BAM). I get to checkout the latest books, magazines and I always run into friends. I get caught up on e-mails and messages from the social and professional sites I belong to. I will also try to get a blog started or posted, while enjoying a Frappe, a Latte or hot chocolate! I really do stay away from the pastries - better in the case than on my waist. ELB 2011