Have Your Latte and Your Fit Booty, too.

By Jill

It’s no secret that Starbucks captures both my heart and my wallet.

There is just something about entering those doors on a daily basis that calms my usually antsy self and makes me squirm with delight while I debate over my drink of choice: double tall nonfat, one-pump, white mocha or double tall, soy, no whip, one-pump, pumpkin-spice latte? (Hey, I’m a girl who knows what I like- but I do admit I hate appearing to be high maintenance every time I order!)While I’ve been able to budget my funds to fit in my Starbucks addiction (I just can’t give it up), I often turn a blind eye to the hidden calories that lurk in my green and white cup of java.

Especially with all the delightful super hot and super yummy speciality drinks this season! (hellllo peppermint mocha!)

But now thanks to starbucks.com, you can customize your drink the way you order it (or close to) and see just how much damage you are doing to your booty. Customize your drink of choice by size, milk, whip, etc and calculate… leaving you no room to ponder how you gained that extra pound when you step on the scale.

And prepare to be surprised. Even the “healthier” drinks have some hidden calories but there are a few tricks of the trade to cut the cals and still enjoy your Bucks:

1) Reduce the number of syrup pumps to one or two. A tall usually has three pumps. And if it’s a combined drink like a Peppermint Mocha- then it’s 6! Adding around an additional whopping 200 extra calories! Sugar free vanilla, caramel and hazelnut are other great calorie saving alternatives.

2) Skip the Whip. This should be a no-brainer but if you must have it, make it a treat once in a while.

3) Enjoy the Soy! Starbucks uses vanilla soy milk, and while there a few more calories than skim milk, Soy packs in more protein which will keep you fuller longer and the vanilla flavor makes the need for high calorie syrups not so necessary.

4) Ask for a Short. It’s not on the menu, but your baristas will happily make it for you. It satisfies the craving but is even smaller (and cheaper! bonus!) than a Tall.

5) Stick with the saftey drinks. Iced and hot, tea, coffee, mistos, cappuccinos and americanos are way lower in fat and calories than the specialty drinks…trying making your favorite Caramel Macchiato a weekly treat instead of a daily one.

6) Don’t be afraid to sound like me! A lot of people order things how they come because they feel bad changing it up. Sure I may have to repeat my very specialized drink order a few times, but as long as you are nice about it, your baristas won’t mind, your waist line will thank you and you can feel guilt free sipping on your double tall, ½ caf, no whip, soy, one pump mocha…

Check out the Starbucks nutrition info for the complete info on all drinks, syrups and food.