Coffee orders are one of those things in life that most of us don’t like to change. We like what we like, and yes, if you accidentally give us soy, we’ll send it back.
But what if you find out that your caffeinated beverage of choice is actually a little bad for you? Will this unsafe information cause you to confuse the barista when she finally remembers her usual routine?
But first, are you drinking too much coffee? Watch below. Post continues after the video.
Maybe. Maybe not. But at least you’ll be informed.
In this spirit of knowledge, we asked a dietician to evaluate our favorite coffees sorted from healthiest to unhealthy, separating cream from diluted dishwashing water.
According to Dietitian and author Susie BurrellHere’s how your favorite fares. Deep breaths.
A dietitian’s advice on ordering coffee.
Best: Skimmed latte
For Burrell, ordering a miniature – repeat, miniature – nonfat latte is a great nutritional choice.
“A low-fat latte is a good source of protein and calcium, and it’s only 100 calories,” she says, which of course means you can get your caffeine fix AND one of those healthy-looking protein balls, right? Normal?
The Next Best Thing: Unsweetened Almond Milk Latte or Flat White
“If you can’t digest cow’s milk, an unsweetened almond milk latte is your best bet,” Burrell explains.
She also identifies flat white is a good option, containing about 120 calories and seven grams of fat, depending on the milk you choose.
Also great are: long black latte or piccolo latte
Although long black coffee and piccolo latte contain little to no fat due to their low or no milk content, Burrell warns against falling into the sugar trap.
“Because these coffees don’t contain milk, most people are more likely to add sugar to them for flavor, which in turn will escalate sugar absorption,” he says.
In other words, try to enjoy the taste without a spoonful or two of sweetness.
Good: Cappuccino
Basically, cappuccino is just regular coffee. Not particularly bad or good, just… average.
“A cappuccino is slightly lower in calories than a latte or flat white, at 110 calories and 6 grams of fat, and it’s fortified with full-fat milk, but it contains slightly less calcium because of the milk-to-froth ratio,” Burrell explains.
What about the chocolate powder on top? That won’t be Really harm, nor adding a few grams of sugar, the amount of which, as she says, is “demanding to ignore.”
Not so good: Mocha or anything with a hint of vanilla/hazelnut/caramel
“A mocha has significantly more carbs and calories than your average coffee—it’s like a latte with an extra helping of chocolate syrup,” he says.
He also advises adding a shot of something flavored, “usually adding two to four teaspoons of sugar per serving.” Ouch.
It’s Really Not That Good: Chai Latte
Burrell says chai latte is a ‘vigorous option’ are anything but that.
“The good aged chai powder you find in many coffee shops is full of sugar. A miniature chai will give you 130 calories and two grams of fat, but it will also have 20 grams or four teaspoons of sugar.”
When you consider the lack of caffeine, it suddenly becomes clear that this isn’t such a great option.
The best milk for coffee.
The main difference in As Burrell explains, the most vital parameter of milk is its overall fat and calorie content.
“Whole milk contains 10 grams of fat per serving, while skimmed or low-fat milk contains less than one gram, plus a whole host of nutrients, including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, protein and potassium. But a little extra fat can also assist keep you full.”
For those who cannot tolerate cow’s milk, Burrell advises that soy milk is the most nutritious choice compared to other options such as almond milk, coconut milk and macadamia milk.
Go ahead and do whatever you want with that information. Knowledge is power, which means we have the power to completely ignore this and order a vanilla cappuccino with coconut milk if we want.
Health benefits of coffee.
“From a health perspective, research has repeatedly shown that drinking coffee can help lower blood pressure“, reduce blood fat levels, and caffeine may even assist burn fat,” Burrell says mommy.
“It’s vital to remember that these benefits come from the coffee, not the 200ml of milk, sugar and syrup that many of us add to our coffee every day.”
Featured image: Canva/Mamamia.
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