You may be reading this in a coffee shop. This article, in fact, was written in a coffee shop. The 3pm rush had hit and a lineup formed for those looking for a rush of energy to get through the rest of their day. Fingertips tapped impatiently as the barista rushed to steam and foam milk to perfection and add ice to the blender. This is a ritual we have created, as dear to us as tea time in some Asian countries.
Therefore, even when watching the waistline, there has to be some way to incorporate this liquid solace into the workday.
Indeed there is:
1) Request milk. Most standard coffee shop drinks are made with whole milk, the richest tasting milk. It’s easy enough to substitute 2% or non-fat or even soy. If you don’t know the language, ask. Both “breve” and “con panna” mean it’s made with cream, something you may not wish to consume each and every day.
2) Watch your sweet tooth. It’s one thing to have a cookie. It’s another to have a cookie blended into a drink. Ask for “half sweet” if you still like a bit of sweet and see if you can train yourself. Within weeks, the normal version of the drink will seem like it’s too much, we promise.
You may even find yourself over time switching to unsweetened. Even if it isn’t advertised as sweetened, it often is. Ask, or view the website of more established coffee shops for nutritional information.
3) Stay simple, stay with the classics. Coffee. Tea. Iced coffee. Iced tea. These can easily be incorporated into every day (unsweetened or lightly sweetened) while feeling like a treat.
4) Allow for splurges, but keep them occasional. If you absolutely love your coffee milkshake with whip, save it for a Friday and have a lighter lunch that day. Savour. Sip. Enjoy it without it being an expectation of everyday and it will taste even better.
Saving your treats will help you to recognize that treating yourself wholly is a treat in itself.
Au Lait!
