coffee

Next time you're out and about, think twice before grabbing that big cooling frappuchino to go - it may have more calories than your dinner.

The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) found that most iced coffees contain at least 200 calories - with several over 400 calories.

The worst? A venti (large) Dark Berry Mocha Frappuchino from Starbucks: 561 calories.

Many people enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning to start their day with a little extra "pep." The same is often true of many exercisers, who throw back a cup of Starbucks or a diet Red Bull before hitting the gym. There's little debate that doing so will provide some extra vitality, but new research shows that caffeine may also help workouts in an entirely different way.

There is considerable confusion over the caloric content of coffee. Not all coffee drinks are high in calories. Coffee - without additives - is almost a zero-calorie drink.

Here is a complete guide to understanding coffee calories.

I enjoy the taste of straight espresso, and have been through seasons of drinking a couple of double espressos each day.

However, I have learned that under times of stress - it is time to cut the caffeine out, and give my body's adrenal system a rest.

There is much argument as to whether there is such a thing as a caffeine addiction. However - caffeine dependency is very real, and it can be very difficult to wean yourself out of the habit.

Here are some tips that I have found extremely helpful when it is time to stop drinking coffee.

It must be so tempting for unscrupulous entrepreneurs:

Find an obscure weight loss product from somewhere overseas. Re-brand it. Hype it up. Create an infomercial. Make millions.

This time it's Slim Coffee. The claims are impressive: "Reduce appetite. Clinically tested. Lose 5 pounds per week". All from drinking coffee with a few supplements added (or so they say).

CoffeeSlender is being released in the UK (link).

The Norwegian coffee drink has become one of the fastest selling weight loss products in Scandinavia (src)- and even has a number of clinical trials to back up its claims.

The International Networks Archive has a wonderful collection of informational maps (called infographics). One such map details the phenomenal growth of Starbucks and McDonald's (via Fast Food News)