A freshly made coffee crafted by your local barista has to be one of life’s small but true pleasures.
However, while everyone has their own particular order – and generally there’s not much that will sway a person – your coffee may not be as healthy for you as you think.
Dietitian Geraldine Georgeou said a daily coffee isn’t bad for you per se, more there could be problems with the type you order, especially if it’s one which may be a source of hidden sugar or fat.
Here, FEMAIL ranks a series of caffeinated beverages from cappuccinos through to long blacks and reveals which are best for those keeping a close watch on their health.
WORST: Mocha or coffees that come with flavoured shots
Mochas or coffees that are flavoured with shots are up there as the ‘worst offenders’ said Ms Georgeou.
‘The problem with coffees that come with added caramel, vanilla or hazelnut flavoured syrups is these tend to be high in sugar.’
‘If these coffees are also made with full cream milk what you are ending up with is a full-fat product that comes loaded with sugar and before you know it your calorie intake has increased,’ she explained.
For those that are fans of these sort of coffees, Ms Georgeou suggested ordering a smaller size but she cautions: ‘It’s better not to have these as your regular coffee choice.’
A regular-sized flavoured shot coffee or mocha contains 220 calories, 27 grams of sugar and nine grams of fat.
NOT AS BAD: Chai Latte
Those who enjoy a chai latte, particularly if it’s made from scratch don’t have to worry too much about it as it’s generally a healthier option, said Ms Georgeou.
However, if this wasn’t the case, and beverages were being made from chai-flavoured syrups, or powders, the product may well contain extra sugar.
‘It has less caffeine which can be good, however, it can have hidden sugars, and depending on what milk is used to make it, it could have extra fat.’
Instead of dispensing with the drink entirely, Ms Georgeou said there was always the option of ordering a smaller size or one that was made with a lower fat milk.
A regular-sized chai latte contains 190 calories, 20 grams of sugar and 9 grams of fat.
BETTER: Cappuccino
Cappuccinos fall into the category of being neither good nor bad, said the dietitian.
‘They contain less sugar because there is only a sprinkle of chocolate on top and you can switch out the milk its made from too.’
Ms Georgeou said for those looking to transition from flavoured coffee shots, the cappuccino was ideal.
A regular-sized cappuccino contains 120 calories, 10 grams of sugar and six grams of fat.
GOOD: Long black
The dietitian said long blacks rate well in terms sugar, fat and calorie content, largely because there’s not much to them, aside from water and coffee.
‘The coffees do tend to be quite bitter because they are served without milk or sugar.
‘To counter this people will likely add sugar for taste, which will in turn increase your sugar uptake,’ she continued.
While this could be a problem the coffee still ranked as a great choice for those wanting maximum caffeine with zero calories.
GREAT: Flat white
Flat whites are a great option because the smaller size means it contains less calories overall and you can make it a flexible choice, said Ms Georgeou.
‘You can choose different kinds of milk including unsweetened nut milks or you can make it into a skim latte to reduce the fat.’
A regular skim latte while contains 60 calories, five grams of fat and one gram of sugar while a flat white contains 120 calories, 10 grams of sugar and six grams of fat.
BEST: A Piccolo Latte
The size of the coffee you order will make a difference, said Ms Georgeou.
She said that it isn’t necessarily the coffee you drink, but the volume.
She explained a cup of milk, in general, was the same as having a piece of bread.
‘So even if you were to have a skim latte or a flat white they would be the same type of carbohydrate with a variation in the fat.
‘If you want the taste, a little hit of caffeine and you are watching volume, I would choose a piccolo latte,’ she concluded.
A piccolo contains 60 calories, five grams of sugar and three grams of fat.
