Starbucks for Weight Loss

At the office yesterday, I was approached by a co-worker while holding Starbucks cup in my hand.

"Do you drink Starbucks every day?" she asked.

"Almost!" I replied with an energized smile.

"But you're thin! How do you do that?"

My response was that Starbucks drinks don't have to be high in calories. In fact, my Grande Cafe Americano weighs in at about 5 small calories. It's true that loading up on mochas and Frappuccinos every day (especially in the larger sizes with whipped cream) can really pack in the calories. However, Starbucks drinks can be enjoyed for little to no calories, and yet still be very filling and satisfying.

A few years ago, when the Atkins diet was all the rage, a co-worker of mine ordered a Venti Breve latte from Starbucks, because breve (which is a type of cream) contains fewer carbs than skim milk. What she didn't realize was that her "diet-friendly" drink had over 400 calories.

The following tips are specifically focused on Starbucks, but other coffee shops such as Caribou or Greenberry's have similar offerings and carry similar nutritional information. Starbucks is now heavily marketing its personalization options for coffee. You're paying a premium for Starbucks quality, so you should get the maximum value by having the Barista make your drink exactly how you like it.

Zero-Calorie Options
There are plenty of zero or close-to-zero calorie options at Starbucks. My personal favorite is the Cafe Americano, which consists of espresso and hot water. There is no milk or sugar (unless you choose to add that yourself). You can even add a sugar free flavor shot such as sugar-free vanilla or sugar-free hazelnut to sweeten your drink for no added calories. You can also order just a plain drip coffee, which has virtually no calories. Starbucks hot teas also contain zero calories and have some added health benefits, like the Green Tea. These warm drinks keep you energized and full throughout the morning without making you gain an ounce of weight.