It’s Just a Hot Chocolate, Right?
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photo credit: esparta
It’s easy to gain a few extra pounds during the holidays with all of the cookies, cakes, and chocolate that we can indulge in before the new year. While it is easy to spot the extra fat and calories in food, it is tougher to consider them in our favorite holiday drinks. I find it difficult to turn down a holiday favorite like a nice cup of hot chocolate. Since they are just about everywhere you turn, and market the holiday faves, I will use Starbucks as an example of the fat and calories hidden in liquid form.
The nutrition information below are for hot beverages Grande sized (16 oz), 2% milk, and whipped cream.
Gingerbread Latte
- 330 calories
- 13 g of fat
- 36 g of sugar
Eggnog Latte
- 470 calories
- 21 g of fat
- 48 g of sugar
Peppermint Mocha
- 400 calories
- 15 g of fat
- 49 g of sugar
Pumpkin Spice Latte
- 380 calories
- 13 g of fat
- 49 g of sugar
Hot Chocolate
- 370 calories
- 16 g of fat
- 40 g of sugar
As you can see, if you knock back a few of those several times a week, the calories will add up fast. You can adjust the drinks of course to use sugar-free syrups, non-fat milk, and skip the whipped cream to save on fat and calories. Don’t let the holiday calories sneak up on you by drinking them. Keep this in mind and you can still enjoy the holidays without ruining your fitness goals.
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Good advice. I figured out the calorie in thing a year or so ago. When I totaled up my calories for a week, and compared it to how much I burned off exercising, there was a huge surplus. So I kept track of what I was eating and that made it easier deciding what and how much to eat. And also, totally cut out the fast food.