AICR
Many flavored coffee drinks can tally up to 500 calories in one portion. With cream, syrup and other flavorings, they can have as many calories as a meal – without providing much nutrition. Except for the coffee, that is: more studies are finding coffee to be a cancer-preventing beverage.
AICR’s Continuous Update Project found that drinking coffee links to lower risk of endometrial and liver cancers. Coffee contains protective phytochemicals including chlorogenic acid, plus cafestol and kahweol.
Aside from stimulating your nervous system and possibly keeping you awake, coffee can be a healthy drink. You can make your own flavored coffee drinks with far fewer calories than the corner coffee vendor (and it’s less expensive). Here’s a healthy AICR recipe to get you started.
Banana-Vanilla Coffee Smoothie
- 1/2 cup nonfat milk
- 1/2 cup strong-brewed coffee (for brewing, use 2 Tbsp. ground coffee per 1/2 cup water)
- 1 cup frozen non-fat coffee-flavored yogurt or low-fat ice cream
- 1 large, peeled frozen banana, cut into 4 pieces
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp. crushed dried (unsweetened) banana chips (optional)
Pour milk and coffee into blender. Add frozen yogurt, banana and vanilla. Puree until thick and creamy. Pour into tall glasses and top each with a little crushed banana chips.
Serves 3
Per serving: 120 calories, 0 g fat (0 g saturated fat), 26 g carbohydrates,
5 g protein, 1 g fiber, 60 mg sodium.
