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Starbucks Summery Beverages: Which to Skip, Which to Sip

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:23:37 PDT

Warm, summery weather can't help but make us crave cupping our hands around a cool, refreshing beverage. If you find yourself wandering into your local Starbucks for a creamy, icy drink, check out which menu picks you should pass on and which you can feel good sipping.

Instead of	16 oz. Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino Blended Crème: Strawberries and whole milk blended with ice and topped with a swirl of whipped cream: 470 calories
Go For	16 oz. Strawberry Smoothie: A nourishing blend of natural strawberry puree, a whole banana, nonfat milk, whey protein, fiber powder, and ice: 290 calories
Calories Saved	180

Instead of	16 oz. Iced Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha: Espresso, milk, white chocolate flavored sauce, and peppermint flavored syrup on ice, topped with sweetened whipped cream: 500 calories
Go For	16 oz. Iced Skinny Mocha: Bittersweet skinny mocha sauce, espresso, and nonfat milk served over ice: 100 calories
Calories Saved	400

Keep reading for more lower-calorie Starbucks beverages.

A Reader Recipe: Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie

Fit Community — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:12:21 PDT

FitSugar reader behealthful posted this refreshing smoothie recipe in our Healthy Recipe group. It's made with spinach and hemp hearts!

Thick, sweet, and delicious mint chocolate chip smoothie with no extracts or artificial flavors. Made with steeped peppermint tea!

See the full smoothie recipe at healthypursuit.com, then share your own delicious recipes in our Healthy Recipe group. We may feature your post on our homepage!

Smoothie Boosters: Unique Ingredients to Increase Fiber

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:44:46 PDT

We could all use a little more fiber - did you know women should aim for 25 to 30 grams each day? Getting your fill of fiber not only keeps your tummy happy and prevents a bloated belly, but it also reduces your risk of breast cancer and keeps you full longer, encouraging weight loss. Although fruit smoothies are already a great source of fiber, toss these five ingredients into your blender to get even more.

Source: Thinkstock and Flickr User cookbookman17

Strong Suds: A History of Starkbierzeit and Bavarian Doppelbock

Sara Yoo — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:26:45 PDT

In New Orleans, revelers celebrate one last hurrah before the Lenten season during debaucherous Mardi Gras, but in Munich, there's less of a need to blow off steam thanks to Starkbierzeit, or "strong beer season." Each March, breweries in the region churn out doppelbock, a high-alcohol, intensely rich and malty brew, in celebration of the 17th century monks who created it. Characterized as Oktoberfest minus the tourists, Starkbierzeit isn't highly publicized, but the beer it honors has quite a following in Germany and in many other parts of the world. Ready to drink in some strong beer fun facts? Just read on.

Join the Kombucha Tea Craze and See How It's Made

Anna Monette Roberts — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 09:17:00 PST

Have you noticed that your health food markets have stocked fridges full of kombucha tea? In only a few years, kombucha has become king of the healthy beverage craze. Loved for its fizziness and signature sweet and sour flavor, fans of kombucha also love its probiotics, B vitamins, and beneficial acids - kombucha is practically liquid gold with the cost of a 16-ounce bottle averaging $4. It should be noted, however, that this traditional Eastern-originating brew has not undergone Western scientific research to support all of its health claims.

We met up with brewmaster Otto Thorsen of Three Stone Hearth, a community cooperative kitchen in Berkeley, CA, to learn the basics of brewing a delicious kombucha tea. Stay tuned for a detailed recipe for black tea kombucha and my experience making a home brew.

Beer Breakdown

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:17:12 PST

With Super Bowl Sunday this weekend, I'm sure you're planning on washing down your bowl of chili with a cold one. I sometimes call beer "liquid bread" because of all the carbs, so it's good to know that not all beers are created equally, especially when it comes to calories.

If you're watching your waistline and enjoying an ice cold brew, you'll probably want see how they compare. The numbers may surprise you. Keep reading to find out which beer contains the fewest calories.

Warm Up With This Hot Beverage Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:19:10 PST

With old man Winter blowing in, get in from the cold and warm up with a steamy cup of something delicious. Check out the nutritional breakdown for some of your favorites hot drinks.

Drink	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Carbs(g)	Sugar (g)	Protein (g)
8 oz. hot chocolate, skim milk, no whipped cream	128	1.2	25.2	21.2	7.2
8 oz. hot chocolate, 2 percent milk, no whipped cream	156	4.4	24.8	20.8	6.8
8 oz. hot chocolate, whole milk, whipped cream	230	12	28	24	7
8 oz. hot chocolate, soy milk, no whipped cream	150	3.5	28	23	6

Don't see your favorite? Keep reading to see the calories in other hot beverages.

Trim Calories Off 3 Wintry, Hot Beverages

Heather Dale — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 01:16:39 PST

I've somehow managed to trick my brain into thinking that as long as I'm eating healthy, there's still room in my diet for hot, delicious beverages - especially at this time of year when a warm drink in your hands feels heavenly. But who am I kidding, most hot bevvies are full of sugar and calories. You don't need to give up on warm sippables, just try these calorie-cutting tricks on your favorite wintry drinks.

What Is Your Energizing Morning Beverage of Choice?

Anna Monette Roberts — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:06:47 PST

We're approaching Winter Solstice, and it seems like every morning it's harder to wake up, because it's still so dark outside. To revive yourself and prepare for a productive day ahead, what beverage do you first reach for in the morning? Tell us in the comments below what's your go-to energizing beverage.

Sip on This: Green Juice Loaded With Antioxidants

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:52:51 PST

Fresh green juice might be the "next frozen yogurt" in terms of a trendy, healthy snack. What could possibly be better for you than a glass of homemade, fresh-pressed vegetables and fruits? This is a super easy, delicious, and addictive green juice recipe that you can happily indulge in to rake up your daily values. Apples are high in vitamin C and naturally sweeten the beverage. Antioxidant-rich spinach and parsley are also high in vitamin A and C and iron. Cucumber and lemon add flavor and immune-boosting phytonutrients. Warming and spicy ginger aids digestion.

See juice recipe.