Dash it wey! For the non Caribbean folks, that means “throw it away”. See http://jamaicanize.com/ for translation.

This drink and every other creamy, dreamy, frothy, wannabe coffee drink, masquerading itself as an “Iced coffee” is dangerous.
What do you think of when I say “400?”
Could be the number of pairs of shoes I own
Could be the number of practice shots LeBron James takes before each game
Could be the number of bones in the human body
Or
...it could be the number of calories in a large Wannabe Iced Coffee Drink.
That’s right, 400 calories...and that doesn’t even include whipped cream with an extra drizzle of chocolate.

It takes about 3500 calories to make up a pound. Need to lose a pound? Reduce your calories by 3500. If you drink one of these a day during the summer, you’re well on your way to gaining a few pounds.

“...but, come on Andria...it’s the summer, and I’m hot and thirsty...”

Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t have anything against coffee and I’m all for “real” Iced Coffee.
My idea of an Iced Coffee drink contains 2 ingredients:
• Coffee
• Ice
Did you know that when you order an “Iced Coffee” from a few of the popular coffee shops in town that it’s mixed with sugar? Now you know.
Despite what you may have heard, coffee actually isn’t all that bad for you.

The Pros
Antioxidants
Coffee is actually high in antioxidants and we need antioxidants to combat the free radicals in our bodies.
May protect against Type 2 Diabetes
Research shows that coffee, (the plain, ol’ black stuff) can decrease insulin resistance
Makes you feel good
The caffeine in Coffee temporarily gives us more energy and makes us feel alert. Adrenaline gets released into our blood and our liver releases sugar into the bloodstream giving us extra energy.
Like my Grandmother used to say, “too much of anything isn’t good for you”.
Coffee does have its drawback especially if consumed in excess.

The Cons
Caffeine
Coffee contains caffeine, which depletes the body of calcium and may contribute to Osteoporosis. According to Osteoporosis Canada, at least 1 in 3 women and 1in 5 men will suffer from an osteoporotic fracture during their lifetime.
May Contribute to PMS & Estrogen Dominance
Yes ladies, it’s sad but true. Studies show that caffeine should be avoided if you suffer from PMS, breast tenderness and fibrocystic breast disease. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, coffee may contribute to estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance may contribute to anyone dealing with fibroids and fibrocystic breasts.
Nutrient Depletion
Taking your iron supplements with your coffee? Bad idea. Studies have shown that caffeine interferes with our body’s ability to absorb iron. So if you’re taking an iron supplement, be sure to take it away from any caffeine-containing beverage...this includes tea.

Coffee - Love it or Hate it

Some people can’t stand the taste, others can’t start their day without it. To each, his own. Love the taste, but don’t want the caffeine? Try Decaffeinated coffee or a herbal coffee substitute like Teeccino(www.teeccino.com) or my personal favourite, Dandy Blend (www.dandyblend.com)

Craving Chocolate & Coffee together? Try this Iced Mocha at home.

1 cup coffee
(or 1 tsp of herbal coffee substitute in 1cup of water)
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
½ cup milk (or dairy-free alternative almond/soy/coconut/hemp)
½ cup of ice

1. Throw everything in a blender and blend until creamy.

Don’t have a bender? Mix everything in a large glass and pour over ice.
Want to add a hint of sweetness? Add some stevia or cinnamon and Enjoy!
So the next time you’re doing a coffee run for the office, kids soccer team or just want something to cool you down, remember those 400 calories….oh, and I’ll pass, I’m sipping on my Iced Mocha.

So, tell me, how do you take your coffee? Drop me a line, tweet or send me a picture of how you like your coffee. Black? Double, Double...let me know.