That flavored coffee at your favorite coffee shop may look quite innocent. That yummy caramel-flavored latte with whipped cream and caramel sauce is still just a coffee, right? How harmful can one little cup of coffee be? Well, if you're watching your calories, trying to lose or maintain your weight, working to control diabetes, or watching your cholesterol, you may be interested in knowing that these innocent "coffee" drinks have two to three times more calories and fat than a candy bar!! This week's e-Well Tip will shed some light on coffee drinks that are all the rage, and offer healthy options for enjoying one of your favorite treats!

THE HIDDEN TRUTH

• A 16 ounce (regular) "Iced Cappaccino" at Au Bon Pain is 220 calories.
• A 24 ounce (venti, large) "Iced Caramel Macchiato" at Starbucks is 350 calories.
• A 16 ounce (grande, medium) "Mocha Frappaccino" at Starbucks is a whopping 420 calories!
• A 10 ounce (small) "Dunkaccino" at Dunkin Donuts is 230 calories (when was the last time you saw someone order a "small"?)

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

• "Flavored coffees" are not always coffee beans that are flavored while roasting. They often include flavored syrup that can add an additional 80 calories to your coffee.
• Always check the serving size when looking at nutritional information. It may seem like "150 calories" is not all that much, but you may find that the drink you ordered is twice the size, and is actually 300 calories!
• Many drinks are topped with whipped cream and syrup. Be sure you know what you're ordering before you place your order.
• If you're planning on eating a donut, muffin, bagel or scone with your coffee drink, you're about to eat a 500-1000 calorie fat-filled "snack"!

SO NOW WHAT?

It IS possible to enjoy a hot or iced coffee drink occasionally and still maintain a healthy diet. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Ask for nonfat (skim) milk and skip the whipped cream - you could save over 200 calories and reduce the amount of saturated fat by about 70%!
• Order a regular coffee with a sugar substitute like "Equal" or "Splenda" and ask for nonfat or low-fat milk instead of whole milk or cream. Shake in some cinnamon, chocolate or vanilla for extra flavor - you may find that it "does the job" and cures the craving for your favorite coffee drink.
• Skip the pastry - enjoy your coffee drink, but pass on the goodies!
• Less is more: treat yourself to your favorite coffee drink one or two times a week instead of everyday.
• Order a small or medium instead of a large. Take small sips, and enjoy every last drop!

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