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May 6
Lattes and other caffeinated drinks have become the latest addiction to hate. First it was alcohol, then cigarettes, and now our beloved Lattes. Every time you turn around Lattes are at the top of the list of ways to save; save money, save calories, save time and energy. Pretty much if you listen to the media cutting out Lattes will make life golden.
Welllll I’m not so sure about that. I love my daily 1, 2, 3 a day lattes. And now many retailers like Mc Donald’s and Dunkin Donuts are introducing low priced lattes, so there goes the cost argument. I can’t help much with time and energy wasted, but we can talk about calories.
Prior to starting my greedy girl cut backs I use to drink an Au Bon Pan Carmel Macchiato (large 550 cal) and/or a Starbucks Chai Frappuccino (grande 440 cal) daily and on weekends when I was on the road I would grab a Dunkin Donuts French Vanilla Coolatta (small 330 cal) or some other creamy sugary caffeinated drink. If you’re paying attention to these calories contents you’re probably thinking “wow that’s enough calories for a meal”. Well I did too; imagine how shocked I was to learn I was drinking my lunch before my day even really got started. So I started looking for better alternatives without giving up my Lattes.
Luckily for me I made this change right around the time Starbucks introduced their Skinny Lattes and since then DD has introduced Lite Lattes. I found a tall (aka small) Starbucks Skinny Latte is an avg 90 cal compared to its regular counterpart’s average 270 cals. That’s a 180 calorie savings, you use can use that for a 100 calorie snack later in the day, ROFL. Similar, Dunkin Donuts’ medium Vanilla Lite Latte is 130 cal, compared to the medium Mochas Spice Latte’s 330 cal.
So the burning question is what the big difference is, and does this mean I can only drink Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts now? Well of course not, you can drink what ever you like just make a few minor changes. There are 3 biggest differences in all of these light beverages:
1. Skim instead of 2% milk. If skim is to watery for you, try 1% or Soy milk and you will still get some calorie savings.
2. Sugar Free Syrups. Many chains are stocking sugar free options. The sugar free options are limited but most have the regulars: vanilla, caramel, and mocha. In addition, for an added sweet kick go with the soy milk option, most stores use vanilla soy which will give the drink a like extra flavor.
3. No whip. This should have been a no brainer, but just in case it wasn’t here it goes. If you like to have a little something on top asks for extra foam. The foam gives you that frothy feeling without the calories.
So there you have it a few ways to kick the calories, but not the latte. So next time you read about the “horrible latte” put down that article and sip your Starbucks’ Vanilla Skinny Latte.
Disclaimer: Greedy Girl’s Guide has no affiliation with Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, McDonals, or any other entity. This article was based on the opinion and findings of one consumer. Calorie and nutritional information was taken directly from the retailers public website and in no way was intended to misrepresent or harm the company.
2 Responses to “Cut the Calories not the Latte”
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What’s for Breakfast? Some Do’s and Don’t for eating a healthy breakfast on the go. | Greedy Girls Guide said on August 30th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
[...] milk the protein in the milk will at least hold off you body from the starvation mode. See my post Cut the Calories not the Latte for slimmer ways to get your [...]
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I’m my worst enemy at times. I always say that portion control is all I need. I never buy “diet” of anything, except milk…which I buy skim. Other than that, it’s everything in moderation.
But I do buy Cappuccino every single day on my way to work. I figured it can’t be too bad…drinking on the go. Ha. Guess I was wrong to think that way. I’ll maybe get a 1/2 fat one today….slowly transition myself. baby steps, here.
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