PRESCRIPTIONS
Fancy coffee drinks tasty but laden with fat, calories

By Amy Tousman

Q. Is coffee low in calories?

A. Black coffee has few calories. Those fancy coffee drinks we get from our local gourmet coffee shop are another matter. Many of these drinks have twice as much fat and calories as a candy bar.

I recently was studying for the certification exam for diabetes educators. During this time, I discovered how delicious a Starbucks Hot Mocha is. Whenever I had some free time, I would sit in Starbucks, mocha in hand, and study. The first few times I ordered their smallest size — 12 ounces and ironically called a "tall."

To save on calories, I requested they go easy on the whip cream. After a month, I graduated to the "grande," which is 16 ounces. Then I learned the " grande" contained a whopping 400 calories and 22 grams of fat. That's the same amount as a McDonald's Quarter Pounder!

These calories are mainly from the whole milk, chocolate and whipped cream.

Now that I have taken my exam, I no longer sit in Starbucks and study. However, when I do feel the urge for a mocha splurge, I ask that it be made with skim milk and am back to the 12 ounce size. This saves me 200 calories and 12 grams of fat.

Coffee Tips

• Ask for nonfat milk and skip the whip cream.
• Instead of a milkshake-type drink, try plain iced cappuccino.
• Sweeten a regular coffee with a sugar substitute such as Splenda. Add cinnamon, chocolate or vanilla for extra flavor.
• Treat yourself to your favorite coffee drink just once per week.
• Order a smaller size.

Amy Tousman is a registered dietitian with the Health Education Center of Straub Clinic and Hospital. Send your questions to: Prescriptions, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; fax 535-8170; e-mail islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com. This column is not intended to provide medical advice.