If you're like me who needs coffee to become a fully functional person, you'll understand the struggle and constant dedication to the ever-so powerful: Caffeine.
Today I want to talk about Breakfast! The most important meal of the day!
Now now, I know what you're thinking. But before you decide to hit the close button on me for assuming this will be another one of those, "Eat oatmeal! Make breakfast! Whole grains! Protein! Energy!" Fear not, for I am not here to give that lecture emphasizing the importance of making a full meal, at least not today. (Because personally I barely have enough time to feed my dogs kibble for breakfast, let alone cook for myself).
Which leads us to this week's blog post:
Breakfast On The Go!
Ah, yes. Pop in the drive through, take that first sip of coffee, and you're off to your morning routine!This is something that a lot of us do, however there are ways to make this quick fix perfect for health benefits and starting off our day...but there are also ways to make it a total nightmare.
So here we go.
Dunkin' Donuts vs. Starbucks
Olivia personally runs on Dunkins, so let's take a look there first.
Sugar is the main culprit when I think about coffee.
Short lesson of the day~
1 normal teaspoon of sugar is 4 grams. This is the same as 1 packet of sugar.
16 oz. bottle of coke contains 44 grams of sugar, about 11 teaspoons/packets of sugar.
DUNKIN DONUTS:
Medium French Vanilla swirl iced coffee with only cream:
- 260 calories
- 36 grams of sugar
This coffee currently contains 9 teaspoons worth of sugar.
9 teaspoons = 9 sugar packets, since each packet contains about 4 grams.
The sugar in this coffee alone is 139 calories.
AND This is without any sweeteners added! So this coffee doesn't even contain "cream and sugar," or equal, splenda, etc.
If this coffee were to contain cream and sugar, this would exceed more sugar than a bottle of coke.
STARBUCKS:
Grande Caramel Frappuccino with only whole milk, no whipped cream:
- 280 calories
- 59 grams of sugar
59 grams of sugar = About 15 teaspoons/packets worth of sugar.
Sources: Dunkin Donuts Nutrition and Starbucks Nutrition
Looking at Alternatives
Dairy~
The bold choices offered are dairy free and are healthier alternatives to cream or milk in coffee!
This will limit calories and sugar!
Dunkin Donuts:
- Almond Milk
- Skim Milk
- Whole Milk
- Cream
Starbucks:
- Coconut Milk
- Soy Milk
- Non-fat Milk
- 2% Milk
- Whole Milk
Coconut Milk: Good for your heart, immunity, weight loss, rich in antioxidants which help reverse and prevent the cause of diseases and cancers, and contains a lot of vitamins and minerals!
Soy Milk: Contains equal or more protein than regular milk without the cholesterol and saturated fat! Vitamins, minerals, and fiber!
Drink Tips
- Try asking for your coffee without additional sugar and add it in yourself! This allows you to control additional sugar.
- Stay away from artificial sweeteners (splenda, equal, sweet n' low, etc.)
- "Swirl" coffee contains a syrup with sugar. Sometimes this is sweet enough along w/your dairy choice and additional sugar isn't necessary!
- Say no to whipped cream if possible!
- Coffee dehydrates us, so drink water after your coffee :)
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| Strawberry Lite Coolatta (mine is kiddie size) A small size would contain: 100 Calories 20 grams of sugar in lite vs. 57 grams found in the regular small |
- Most Dunkin Donut Coolattas come in "lite" versions as shown above.
These contain no dairy and are low calorie alternatives!
Food Tips
- Multigrain and Whole Wheat bagels are great bagel options!
- Dunkin Donuts offers a peanut butter spread which is healthier than cream cheese!
Also: Reduced fat plain and veggie cream cheeses are available.
I am not sure if this is something Starbucks offers also :)
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| Transformation to happiness |
Well that's all folks! I think I've rambled enough for one post!
I advise all of you to give the catalogs a look and make better choices if possible.
Start off your day with food but keep in mind what you put in your body!
My challenge is for all of you to try something new! Choose a different dairy choice, use less sugar in your coffee, any little change could make a difference and who knows - I might even be the cause of your new love for almond milk ;)
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