Coffee shops often offer a wide variety of products. If you want almost no calories, a 16-ounce coffee of the week or Americano will provide only 5 calories. You can then add a splash of half and half or milk and some artificial sweetener, and this delicious drink will be well under 100 calories. Ordering your favorite drinks with skim milk will reduce the calories and fat as well. Skim milk also provides calcium, an important nutrient for bone health. Some flavored syrups used in drinks are available in sugar-free varieties, giving you taste but reducing your calories.
Many coffee shops offer a good variety of teas, green tea included, which can offer a nice taste and still be a healthy choice.
If it's nutrients you are looking for in a drink, Starbucks now offers a product called Vivanno. These drinks are freshly prepared with a whole banana, bittersweet cocoa, 2% milk. their own proprietary whey protein and fiber powder, and ice. Many local coffee shops have similar options, Starbucks was used as an example because their nutrition information is readily available on the Web (www.starbucks.com).
