Food Tips: Save calories at Starbucks

Who doesn't love Starbucks drinks? They have such fancy names and delicious ingredients. But the hidden calories? You won't believe your thighs! Get the skinny before you order your next grande or venti brew.

ORDER: Reasonable portions of tasty delights

Many Starbucks drinks contain as many calories as we should be eating in one meal. Luckily, Starbucks gives you the power to take control of your order. You choose the size of your drink, type of milk and whether you want whipped cream. When ordering a drink, count it as a snack and aim for no more than 200 calories.

Just to get some perspective, a grande (16-fluid ounce) cup of brewed coffee without sugar or milk contains 5 calories and is free of fat and sugar. Add 1/4 cup of skim milk for an additional 15 calories. Now take a look at the numbers on some of the more popular drinks: Before you order one of those yummy drinks, choose one with a reasonable amount of calories.

NOT: Overly decadent calorie bombs

A grande Pumpkin Spice Creme Frappuccino made with whole milk and whipped cream is 380 calories, 16 grams of fat and 52 grams sugar.

Instead: Choose a tall (12-fluid-ounce) version made with skim milk and hold the whipped cream for 150 calories, 0 grams of fat and 33 grams of sugar.

Some folks think that soy milk makes for a healthier drink. Don't be fooled. A grande (16-fluid ounce) Mocha Frappuccino with soy milk and whipped cream has 410 calories, 14 grams of fat and 65 grams of sugar. (Yikes!)

Instead: Ask for light soy or nonfat milk to skim some calories or go for the tall (12-fluid ounce) Mocha Frappuccino Light for 130 calories, 1 gram of fat and 18 grams of sugar.

Looking forward to warming up to a grande (16-fluid ounce) Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate made with 2 percent milk and whipped cream? You'll be guzzling down 450 calories, 16 grams fat and 62 grams sugar.

Instead: Switching to nonfat milk will only save 50 calories. A small taste of this decadent drink is all you need. Order a short (8-fluid ounce) made with nonfat milk and hold the whipped cream for 160 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, and 32 grams of sugar.

Courtesy Toby Amidor on foodnetwork.com

(For more information, visit www.foodnetwork.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)

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