Who doesn’t love the treat of a lovely latte or icy Frappuccino? The trouble is these treats, while delicious, add up to too many extra calories and, eventually, unwanted pounds. It’s okay to head to Starbucks on occasion, but every day is probably more than your sensible calorie budget can manage. You don’t have to give up your morning joe, though. Try these alternative treats for a caffeine fix that won’t have you tipping the scales.
The Hungry Girls’ Wake Me Up Before You Coco
Says the Hungry Girl, this new recipe is a major eye-opener, and not only because it’s made with coffee and chocolate — it will open your eyes to just how easy it is to make Starbucks-style drinks at home. Only 120 calories
Ingredients:
2 tsp. shredded sweetened coconut, roughly chopped
2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbsp. fat-free non-dairy powdered creamer (like the kind by Coffee-mate)
1 tsp. instant coffee granules
1 tsp. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 no-calorie sweetener packets (like Splenda or Truvia), or more to taste
1/8 tsp. coconut extract
2 cups crushed ice or 10 – 16 ice cubes
2 tbsp. Fat Free Reddi-wip
1 tsp. light chocolate syrup
Directions:
In a skillet over medium heat, cook and stir chopped coconut until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. In a tall glass, combine cocoa powder, creamer, coffee granules, chocolate chips, and sweetener. Add 1/2 cup very hot water, and stir until mostly dissolved. Stir in coconut extract and transfer mixture to a blender. Add ice and blend at high speed until smooth. Pour, top with Reddi-wip, and drizzle with chocolate syrup. Sprinkle with lightly browned coconut and enjoy!
Consider Matcha tea
No, it isn’t coffee, but Matcha tea has mega benefits for your body. It helps detoxify and boost metabolism, contains healthy antioxidants and even provides a calming effect. Buy matcha powder online or at your favorite store.
The Speed Dater
Ingredients
1 cup cold coffee (either leftover brew or mix a heaping tablespoon of instant coffee into a cup of water).
1 1/2 cups almond milk
1/2 cup chopped, pitted dates
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup of ice
pinch of salt
Blend using a heavy-duty blender and enjoy.
Courtesy of Design lovefest
Salted Caramel Mocha Protein Shake
Ingredients
½ cup McCafé brewed coffee, cooled
¼ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or other milk of your choice)
¼ cup low-fat cottage cheese
1 scoop chocolate or vanilla protein powder (if using vanilla protein powder, add an additional 1 Tablespoon of cocoa powder to your shake)
1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon caramel extract
⅛ teaspoon salt
1 packet stevia
1 cup ice
Optional: whipped topping and/or salted caramel syrup for garnish
Blend and enjoy
Courtesy of The Seasoned Mom
And if you still want to head to Starbucks, choose wisely…
Skip the giant drinks with extra syrup and sugar and go instead for:
• Tall Café Americano – 11 calories
• Tall Flat White – Starbucks describes it as a double shot of espresso mixed with creamy heated whole milk – 119 calories
• Caffe Misto – half filter coffee and half heated soya milk – 63 calories.
Be good – Skip the pastries and breakfast sandwiches, too!
Try these ideas today. Your morning coffee doesn’t have to be a healthy diet killer. You can still enjoy your treat while watching your waist line.
