Posted on: Wednesday, September 15, 2004
RECIPE DOCTOR
Slash the calories in frappuccino
By Elaine Magee
Who wouldn't like an iced mocha coffee drink with flecks of chocolate blended throughout?
My guess is the Java Chip Frappuccino will be popular at Starbucks clear through winter.
Trouble is, the 16-ounce drink with whipped cream has 15 grams of saturated fat alone and the calories hit 510.
Ordering it without the whip will bring it down to 370 calories and 9 grams of fat.
You can always make a light version at home, though, with low-fat milk, decaf espresso (or extra-strong coffee), chocolate syrup, crushed ice and ground chocolate chips.
This tastes great, but for a little added creaminess I felt I needed to blend in just a little bit of nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt.
This brings the drink down to 200 calories and 5.5 grams of fat per 1 1/2-cup serving.
Not bad considering you also get almost a full serving of low-fat dairy and a good dose of water, too (in the form of ice).
To aid in grinding the chocolate chips, store the chips overnight in the freezer then grind in a small food processor.
Original drink (16-ounce serving with whip) contains 510 calories, 22 g fat, 15 g saturated fat, and 65 mg cholesterol per serving.
JAVA CHIP BLENDED COFFEE DRINK
Put the coffee, chocolate syrup, low-fat milk, nonfat frozen yogurt and ice in blender or food processor and whip on high speed until well blended.
Add the ground chocolate chips and blend briefly. Pour into 2 glasses.
If desired, top each drink with a small dab of light whipped cream and drizzle with 1/2 teaspoon chocolate syrup and/or add a coffee bean on top. Makes 2 servings (1 1/2 cups each).
• Per serving (without garnish): 200 calories, 7 g protein, 32 g carbohydrate, 5.5 g fat (3.3 g saturated fat, 1.6 g monounsaturated fat, .2 g polyunsaturated fat), 12 mg cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 112 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 25 percent. Omega 3 fatty acids 0 g. Omega 6 fatty acids .2 g. Weight Watchers points: 4. Coming up in my Starbucks series: Classic Coffee Cake and White Chocolate Mocha.
Elaine Magee's book, "The Change of Life Diet and Cookbook," is available in bookstores. Submit a recipe for Elaine to "doctor" at www.recipedoctor.com.
