Snacks: Mega-Calorie Coffee

Stopping at the vending machine or Starbucks for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up could end up costing you more calories than lunch if you're not careful.

A venti (that's large in non-barista speak) Mocha Coconut Frappuccino with whipped cream gives you much more than a java jolt with 710 calories and 26 grams of fat. If you're in the mood for something hot and sweet, a large caf� mocha with whipped cream at Starbucks will cost you 490 calories and the same 26 grams of fat.

But experts say it is possible to get your caffeine fix without breaking the calorie bank by following this advice when ordering:

• Ask for your beverage to be made "skinny." (That's with nonfat or skim milk.)
• Skip the whipped cream on top.
• Order the smallest size.

By applying those rules, you can slim down that caf� mocha to 170 calories and 1.5 grams of fat and get still 30% of the recommended daily amount of calcium and 11 grams of protein at the same time.

Or you can make your own iced coffee beverage by combining coffee, ice, skim milk, cocoa powder or cinnamon, and a packet or two of sugar-free sweetener.

JEEESH...no wonder I'm chubby!!! Starbucks is the devil!!! Somewhere in the span of the last 3 days my belly button piercing migrated out and I lost the ring and all. Say what?? It never healed right and I think they didn't pierce it deep enough. I'm bummed out. I suppose now I have to wait a few months for the area to heal properly and try again or say (&(^&(&*@!!( it. *sigh*

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