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Delicious as they may be, some of your favourite brews can be laden with unnecessary calories, more saturated fat than we need in an entire day and double the recommended amount of sugar! These calorie-laden frappes, super-sized cappuccinos and sugar ridden desi chaiwalas chais can lead to an incredible amount of weight gain each year – in fact just downsizing from a large to small size coffee (with full-fat milk) can save you gaining 5% of weight a year!

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So, how do you still get your caffeine-fix but keep your waistline slim at the same time? Find out exactly what is in your favourite drink – nutritional information is usually available in store, or most high-street chains have this information online. Milk is a great source of calcium and protein, essential for healthy teeth and bones. But full-fat milk is high in calories and fat, especially saturated fat. Swap your milk to semi-skimmed or skimmed. Making the change from a large full-fat coffee to a large skimmed-milk coffee could save you 5 kilos a year!Ask for no added cream and save up to 100 calories per drink (equivalent to 23 minutes of cycling).

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Try a black coffee (long-black or Americano) with a side of skimmed-milk.Experiment with other hot drinks – try a delicious green tea, herbal tea (peppermint or chamomile) or fruit tea.Downsize your drink to a small or regular and save on calories! Did you know that an 8oz cup, despite looking considerably smaller, is actually the same size as a typical cup at home.Flavourings and syrups: delicious as they may be, flavourings can quickly add extra calories and unnecessary sugar. Choose un-flavoured coffees or ask for less syrup. This applies to added sugar too – each teaspoon contributes about 16 calories (equivalent to 6 minutes of washing dishes).

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Frappe – a popular option on a hot day, frappes contain a lot of ice (aka water), so that’s a good option. But, try to stay clear of any added cream or syrups (which are often high in sugar).Save your pennies (and calories) and opt for an instant coffee with skimmed- or semi-skimmed milk.So, next time you’re ordering your morning coffee, think twice about the size, and hidden fat and sugar in your drink.

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Cheers,

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Lovneet