How fattening is my coffee?

Question

Everyday I get a skinny (low fat) latte from my local coffee shop. What I want to know is - is it alright to have one everyday & how fattening is it???? I'm worried I maybe shouldnt have one so often.

Answer 1

Okay, here's the breakdown for you:

A latte is simply espresso shots (0 Calories, 0 grams of fat) and milk. Period. No more, no less. The only calories that come with a latte are from the milk and whatever additivies you put in. If you get a plain, low-fat latte, the only calories/fat will come from the non-fat milk you get. 8 oz (1 cup) of non-fat milk has about 90 calories and no fat. An 8 oz latte would have about the same nutritional statistics. If you drink a 20 oz latte, the nutritional statistics will increase proportionally.

Now, if you add flavor syrups, regular sugar, or whipped cream, the calories and possibly fat will increase. Furthermore, if you get a latte from McDonalds or a typical fast-food joint, they often use pre-mixes to make their drinks (...meaning, more sugar and calorites). If you go to a STarbucks, Alterra, Caribou... etc. - Any coffee house with an espresso bar where they make drinks - then the coffee information in the above paragraph should be about right. Ask your coffee shop for nutritional information to be sure.

To address your question then, it shouldn't be that fattening at all. However, you may want to address how it fits in with your daily calorie consumption.

Have some fun with this link: http://www.starbucks.com/retail/nutrition_beverages.asp

You can calculate your latte under a bunch of different variables. Go to Espresso-Hot, and choose latte.

Answer 2

If you are putting sugar in it rather than sweet and low, then that is going to add a lot of fat.
If you are adding whipped cream to the latte, that's going to add a lot too.
However, if you are just having a regular coffe, it's about 100 calories, and just add the fat from the low fat milk, and that's it. It's not too much, maybe 2 to 3 grams of fat.

Answer 3

Definetly it's ok to have your coffee every day. If you're worried about calories you're right to use skim milk. Also watch for the flavoring syrups that are added. Those syrups while tasting great are filled with sugar and calories. Your favorite coffee place should be able to provide you with a nutritional chart of some kind that could help you track the calorie intake of your favorite coffee.

Answer 4

Are you already concerned with calories or weight issues? A low fat (skim milk) latte isn't very caloric .... however skim milk does have sugar in it .... do you add sugar as well. All this is only a concern if you're restricting carbs etc., but if overall you're a coffee lover (I am) you only have one life so enjoy your low fat latte and worry about larger things.;)

Answer 5

Coffee isn't that fattening by itself. When you add the cream, sugar, whipped cream, etc. is when you start adding the fat. The problem with coffee is the caffeine. If you are only drinking one a day, you shouldn't be worried.

Answer 6

i am guessing that if its low fat you should be ok! I would personally ask the coffee shop for the nutritional info. Depending o where u go it could be made differently and have less/more fat and calories.

Answer 7

Depending on the sugar content - the main problem is the dehydrating effect of coffee. For every cup of coffee, you should drink another cup of water in excess to the recommended daily water consumption.

If your body gets too little water, it might begin to store water - making you looking more fat!

Answer 8

You can enjoy your (low fat) latte. You could have 2 a Day. You won't gain any weight from it.

Answer 9

Honestly who cares? You have one life so enjoy it. I said earlier in a different post that everything in life is illegal, immoral or fattening. So just enjoy.

Answer 10

Look at it this way - it's not a Big Mac.