Are You DRINKING Your Calories?
Author: Shannon Miller
It’s important to consider the nutritional value of the food that we eat on a daily basis, but also the drinks we consume…what is your “liquid” diet like?
Of course, just because a particular drink is high in calories doesn’t mean we have to cut it out altogether. Treat beverages with the same respect you treat food. Think about the number of calories and the portion size. And remember that drinking your calories will leave you less “full” than eating them.
Let’s take a look at some popular drinks and their calorie content.
Exercise Beverages:
Water: 0 calories!
Sports drinks (i.e. 20 oz. Gatorade): 130 calories
Of course you can’t beat good ‘ol water, but if you’re looking for a way to mix things up, sports drinks could be a good option. If you are particularly concerned about calories, some sports drinks have low-calorie options!
Get Yourself Going Beverages:
Coffee (12 oz Starbuck’s “Bold Pick of the Day”): 5 calories*…get your motor running in the morning!
Espresso drink (16 oz. Starbuck’s caramel macchiato): 240 calories*…that’s quite a leap from a regular cup of coffee but there’s no shame in treating yourself from time to time!
Breakfast Beverages:
Fruit Juices (i.e. 12 oz. orange; 12 oz. apple): 170 calories; 180 calories (It’s more nutritious to eat the actual fruit)
Tea (i.e. 16 oz Snapple): 160 calories
For Fun:
Soda (12 oz. Coca-Cola): 140 calories
Milkshakes (i.e. McDonald’s 12 oz chocolate shake): 580 calories**…I think this one takes the cake (ironic statement, I know!), so we all might consider making milkshakes a treat now and then rather than a daily indulgence.
Remember that fast food places and coffee houses tend to have a variety of beverage (and food) choices spanning from low cal to mucho cal. Check the calorie content so you know what your getting into.
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