One of the easiest ways to pack on the pounds is to drink your calories. A simple 5-minute drive through the local Starbucks can cost you over 400 calories, 10 grams of fat, 60 grams of sugar and 60 grams of carbohydrates! I think we sometime forget that just because we aren’t chewing something doesn’t mean that it isn’t contributing to weight gain or a weight loss plateau.
If you are someone who finds yourself stopping at your local coffee shop a few times a week, I suggest you check out the nutritional information and see what exactly you are drinking. You may be surprised. Unless you are drinking black coffee or an Americano, you may be drinking a liquid Big Mac! Having said that, there is no reason why you can’t have some of your favorite coffee beverages and still reach your goals. Instead of paying big bucks to sabotage your progress, consider these excellent Gina-approved alternatives to your favorite coffee beverages!
“Gina-Approved Vanilla Latte”
(Instead of Starbucks Vanilla Latte)
1 cup coffee (regular or decaffeinated)
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Stevia to sweeten (optional)
Heat almond milk over stovetop or in microwave. If you have an espresso machine, use this to steam the milk. Once warm, add protein powder and mix until fully dissolved. Add stevia and vanilla extract and continue stirring. Pour milk mixture over freshly brewed coffee and enjoy!
You can always turn this into an iced latte but pouring it over ice or better yet blending ingredients into a Vanilla “Frappuccino.”
Nutrition Information:
Gina Approved Vanilla Late vs. Starbucks Grande Vanilla Latte
135 calories vs. 250 calories
Fat: 2.5 g vs. 6 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g vs. 3.5 g
Carbohydrates: 4 g vs. 37 g
Sugar: 2 g vs. 35 g
Protein: 20 g vs. 12g
“Gina’s Green Tea Frappe”
(Instead of a Starbucks Green Tea Frappuccino)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
2 cups water
2 tsp macha green tea powder
2 cups ice
Stevia (optional)
Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until rich and creamy.
Nutrition Information:
Gina’s Green Tea Frappe Vs. Starbucks Tazo Green Tea Frappuccino
120 calories vs. 325 calories
1 g vs. 4 g
Saturated fat: 1 g vs. 1 g
Carbohydrates: 4 g vs. 63 g
Sugars: 2 g vs. 57 g
Protein: 20 g vs. 11 g
“Gina’s Mocha Frappe”
(Instead of a Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino)
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
2 cups water
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups ice
Stevia (optional)
Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until rich and creamy.
Nutritional Information:
Gina’s Mocha Frappe vs. Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino
130 calories vs. 400 calories
Fat: 2 g vs. 15 g
Saturated fat: 1.5 g vs. 9 g
Carbohydrates: 4g vs. 64 g
Sugars 3 g vs. 60 g
Protein 20 g vs. 5 g
