Is Mocha Madness Widening Your Waistline?

On a cold morning, what's better than a steaming, frothy latte from your local coffee shop? On a hot summer afternoon, can anything beat a frozen mocha smoothie? If they get to be a daily habit, though, those delicious coffee concoctions could start adding inches to your waistline.

A typical gourmet coffee drink contains about 200 calories. And that may be just the beginning, according to The American Dietetic Association.

What's in your drink?

Espresso - a thick drink, popular in Italy - is used to make other coffee drinks, such as:

• Cappuccino. Espresso with milk and milk foam. Cinnamon or cocoa powder are often sprinkled on top.
• Latte. Espresso with milk added.
• Mocha. Latte mixed with chocolate and often topped with whipped cream.

Loaded with fat and calories
Drinking a mocha coffee beverage from a gourmet coffee shop has been compared to sipping a quarter pound burger with cheese through a straw. Both have about 500 calories. A sweetened frozen coffee milkshake can pack 650 calories and 25 grams of fat. That's like a regular coffee with 11 creamers and 29 packets of sugar. Fattening ingredients include whole milk, ice cream, sugary flavoring syrups and whipped cream.

Lighter versions
You don't have to give up your favorite coffee drink all together. Order a lighter version. Some places offer fat-free lattes, cappuccinos and espresso drinks.

Slash calories and fat by trying these tips:

• Go nonfat. Ordering a 16-ounce cappuccino or latte with nonfat milk instead of whole will save you all of the fat, plus 50 to 100 calories.
• Skip the whipped cream. Whipped cream can add about 120 calories and anywhere from 7 to 12 grams of fat.
• Don't add sugar. If you order a sweetened drink, ask for sugar-free syrup. If you order an unsweetened drink, add Splenda or Equal. Sprinkle cinnamon or vanilla flavoring for some extra flavor.
• Go light. Ordering one of the lower calorie choices can cut your calorie count by about 100. The whipped cream is left out and sugar is replaced with an artificial sweetener. Have a cafe au lait for only 145 calories or a cappuccino with nonfat milk for only 100.

Other beverage choices
If you just have to have your morning latte or cappuccino, make smart beverage choices the rest of the day to make up for it.

• Serve water with meals. Add a slice of lemon, lime or another fruit.
• Add 100 percent fruit juice to sparkling water for a refreshing, low-calorie drink.
• If you drink soda, try the small, 8-ounce cans, which contain about 100 calories.
• Brew decaffeinated tea and add a sugar substitute.
• Blend coffee, ice and nonfat or soy milk for a low-calorie frappe. Add flavoring.
• Combine fruit, nonfat yogurt and ice in a blender for a low-fat smoothie. If extra liquid is needed, add fruit-flavored tea, water or ice.

Related Articles Healthy Fast Food Choices Choose Your Sweetener Low-fat Comfort Foods Refreshing Summertime Treats Fruity Tofu Smoothie The Buzz on Caffeine: Are You Getting More Than You Bargained For? Peanut Butter Shake

External Sources Center for Science in the Public Interest. Good cup, bad cup. Accessed November 20, 2006 [and March 31, 2008]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nutrition for everyone. Healthy weight. Rethink your drink. Accessed November 20, 2006 [and March 31, 2008]. Yale-New Haven Hospital. Looking for a cure for the end of summertime blues? Accessed November 20, 2006 [and March 31, 2008]. American Dietetic Association. The morning C's: coffee, caffeine and calories. Accessed April 7, 2008.

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