It seems that new coffee shops with catchy names and fake plants littering the inside are popping up every time I turn a corner. Going out a couple of times a week to “work” at one of these is my guilty pleasure. I’ve found, though, that those vanilla lattes and chocolate croissants add up, and I’m not just talking about the price. Sweet drinks are loaded with sugar that quickly leads to weight gain.
Maybe you’ve been in the same chocolate boat as me and have realized that a change is needed. I’m not telling you to sacrifice the comfort or community that comes from getting coffee, but exercise wisdom before ordering. Here are ways of ordering coffee that allow you to maintain a healthy diet while still enjoying your drink.
Skip the blended drinks
Most blended items at a coffee shop have added sugar already implemented in the recipe. This might be needed for blending capabilities, or because blended drinks typically center around sugar (such as caramel, strawberry, or mocha frappuccinos). Also, blended drinks might be made with sweetened condensed milk, which is high in calories, saturated fats and includes added sugar. Not to mention, condensed milk contains more lactose than normal, possibly leading to bloating and cramps. It’s better to skip the blended drinks altogether if you’re aiming to maintain a healthy diet.
Replace sugar with alternatives
The majority of Americans add sugar or some form of cream or milk to their coffee, and few are brave enough to drink theirs black. If you’re on the sugar side, reducing it can be difficult, as sugar is about as addictive as the coffee you’re putting it in. Whether at home or at a café, either don’t get sugar added or reduce the amount that's in the drink. Alternatively, you can replace processed sugar with something more natural, such as cinnamon.
Avert your gaze
Coffee shops usually have a most popular list posted front and center on the menu. When looking at these lists, most, if not all, the drinks have ingredients that will hike your blood sugar and possibly make you sick. For example, one of the most popular drinks at Starbucks is their Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso. This drink may not seem as unhealthy as other options, but it contains 15 grams of sugar per serving size, not including added ingredients like Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam, or extra syrup pumps.
Before going up to the counter, look at the menu ahead of time if possible, and choose a healthier option (perhaps with limited sugar). If you set your mind on this option, you’re less likely to pick one that merely sounds gratifying. It takes willpower, but I believe in you.
This article is not a call to end all sugary, syrup-filled lattes lest you die. There is a time and place for them—just not every time and every place. Going out for coffee can be your special treat[1] for the week, which makes the drink seem even sweeter. The point is, navigating coffee orders is difficult, with all the wonderful brews out there, but it’s possible.
