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November 3, 2005
Prairie Fare: Are You Drinking Extra Calories?
“Wow, does this drink really have over 400 calories?” exclaimed a woman sitting at a table next to me at a local coffee bar. She was examining a pamphlet with nutrition information provided at the counter. “Well, don’t feel so bad. Mine had 490 calories,” her companion noted as she read the pamphlet. “At least I didn’t pick the one with 700 calories,” she said. My ears perked up at the nutrition commentary. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but they weren’t talking in hushed tones. Others at nearby tables were taking note. People were gazing into their cups with concerned looks on their faces. My husband and I were enjoying mocha coffees. I knew we had the equivalent of pieces of frosted cake cupped in our hands. It’s easy to drink extra calories. Studies have shown that people feel less “full” when they drink beverages compared with eating solid foods. Beverage calories add up quickly. Indulging in “special beverages” regularly could add up to weight gain. For example, if you enjoy two cups of a 400-calorie beverage twice weekly, you’ll consume nearly 42,000 calories from this indulgence during a year. With every extra 3,500 calories consumed above what the body needs, a pound of body fat can be added. In theory, consuming high-calorie beverages twice weekly could lead to a 12-pound weight gain in a year, if other habits remained the same. To prevent weight gain, you could swap these “discretionary calories” for other foods, such as desserts, to maintain a calorie balance. You could walk a few miles to and from the coffee shop to burn the extra calories. Most people, however, prefer traveling in a warm vehicle. Being frugal, I also was adding up the cost that many people spend on beverages of all types. Enjoying a couple of special coffees twice a week at about $3 per cup adds up to more than $300 per year. It’s certainly OK to have special beverages on occasion. Foods and beverages are a source of great enjoyment. It’s important to be informed. The good news is that many coffee chains are now providing nutrition information in printed form and on Web sites. Here are some tips to enjoy the flavor of special beverages with less calories:
Here’s a low-fat version of calcium-rich hot cocoa to make at home. To make your own “mocha” coffee drink and serve four people, add 2 cups of prepared coffee while warming this mixture. Your “special coffee” will have less than 70 calories.
Source:
Julie Garden-Robinson, (701) 231-7187, jgardenr@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
Market Advisor: |
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North Dakota State University |
