Fall is full of wonderful temptations; jumping in a pile of leaves, baking homemade apple pies, visiting wineries, and spending lazy days by a cozy fire. As tempting as it is to warm up with a cup of something less than diet friendly, there are healthy ways to enjoy some of our favorite drinks the cold weather season has to offer.
Hot Chocolate
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Whole milk, heavy cream, added sugar and whipped cream are the ingredients of choice when it comes to a hot chocolate at a coffee shop. You can easily walk away with a cup of hot chocolate that has more fat in it than an order of french fries! When ordering at a coffee shop, skip the whip, and opt for nonfat milk, almond milk or coconut milk. If you’re making a cup at home mix 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder into 1 cup nonfat milk, almond milk or coconut milk.
Caramel Macchiato
Warming up with a caramel macchiato often means sugary vanilla syrup, heaps of milk, and caramel sauce. If you ask for sugar free syrup, nonfat milk and keep the caramel sauce, you can still have a comforting caffeine fix at about 120 calories!
Spiced Apple Cider
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When fall rolls around it’s impossible to avoid this chilly weather classic. Unfortunately when this drink starts hitting shelves in convenient powder form and makes its way onto the menu at your local coffee shop, it gets rid of the fiber in the apples and adds unnecessary sugar. Make your own healthy cider by simmering 1-qt of apple cider with orange zest, cinnamon sticks and whole cloves for 5 minutes. You won’t believe it’s only 100 calories per cup!
Chai Soy Latte
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On its own the chai latte (chai spices, black tea, and soy milk) is a perfectly healthy drink. When coffee shops add in honey and sugar, the drink begins to take an unhealthy turn. If you want to enjoy a guilt-free chai tea latte, steep a chai tea bag in hot water. Add a little bit of honey and a touch of soy milk.
Mulled Wine
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Surprisingly, mulled wine recipes can pack in the sugar, turning this fall favorite into a dangerous indulgence. You’ll save 70 calories by halving the amount of sugar that traditional recipes call for and use port in place of brandy.
