Coffee shops are an ideal place to meet friends, discuss work matters or simply relax after an exhausting day. Unfortunately, many specialty beverages at these popular spots contain extra calories and added sugars; fortunately, there are healthy ways of enjoying that same great taste while staying true to your fitness goals.

Bridget Wood and Gabrielle Mancella of Bridget Wood and Gabrielle Mancella suggest understanding what you are ordering when dining out, according to registered dietitians Bridget Wood and Gabrielle Mancella. Both experts advise avoiding high-calorie sugary beverages in favor of simpler options that can be tailored to meet personal diet goals and needs.

Frappuccino beverages contain many expensive ingredients that drive up their cost; however, they also contain plenty of calories and saturated fat. Selecting a smaller size without syrup and whipped cream can cut more than half the caloric intake from this beverage; add flavoring powder such as cinnamon or nutmeg to enhance its flavor, or opt for artificial sweeteners like Splenda or Stevia for lower calorie artificial sweetening options instead.

Before placing an order at Starbucks, be sure to consult the nutrition information available through both their website and app. This will give you a better sense of what goes into each drink while making it easy to compare various offerings and compare and contrast options more readily. You can even use the app to customize your order – skipping pumps of flavoring syrup or asking for less whipped cream is possible with the custom order feature!

If you want to enjoy a frothy drink (such as cappuccino or latte), switch from whole-fat milk to nonfat. This can save approximately 50 calories from your beverage while decreasing its saturated fat content.

As well as helping reduce calories, nonfat milk provides added calcium which is vital for bone health. You might also try opting for unflavored cold foam rather than whipped cream which has less of an impact on calories and more protein content.

Making coffee yourself at home is often the best way to ensure it meets nutritional guidelines, since you have full control over exactly what goes into each cup – keeping calories under control while enjoying delicious flavors and aromas that make every sip an experience in its own right. Plus, brewing large pots allows for convenient grab-and-go coffee options during the day!

Caffeine is an extremely potent stimulant and has been proven to increase athletic performance and alertness for some individuals, yet in excess it can cause jitters, restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, heartburn and headaches if consumed too frequently. Therefore, it is recommended that two to three 8-ounce cups of coffee/caffeinated beverages per day be consumed to avoid overdoing it.

So what are you waiting for? Why don’t you treat yourself to your favorite drink today and remember to stay mindful of added sugars and calories.