Fit and Hungry

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According to the media, Starbucks is no longer feeling the effects of the Recession. As a matter of fact, sales are up 40%. How is this possible? Why is Starbucks is thriving? Starbucks isn’t cheap; Starbucks doesn’t have free internet; and Starbucks isn’t healthy.

While they do sell tea, fruit plates, and salads, those items aren’t flying of the shelves. People are going to Starbucks for beverages topped with high fructose corn syrup in the form of fluffy whip cream. Or they’re grabbing breakfast on their way to work: a sugar coated scone or a big ole’ muffin.

Now, I’m not bashing Starbucks. I love me some sugar in the form of a cookie! Whenever I travel, I treat myself to a oatmeal cookie at the airport. But it is an informed indulgence. I inhale that cookie like a contestant on Survivor knowing that I’ll have to run five miles to get back to pre-cookie weight. Can you say the same thing? Very few people know the true calorie content of the foods they are consuming. It is this nescience that has contributed to our expanding waistlines.

The next time you go to Starbucks, be an informed consumer and know what you’re putting into your cute, little mouth.

Here are the best and worst things found at Starbucks:

The Good (eat these freely then write home about it)

• Coffee – 10 calories, 0 sugar, 0 fat
• Espresso – 10 calories, 0 sugar, 0 fat
• Cappuccino nonfat – 80 calories, 0 sugar, 0 fat
• Caffe Latte, nonfat or Skinny – 130 calories, 0 sugar, 0 fat

• Deluxe Fruit Blend – 90 calories, 0 fat
• Peeled Snacks Fruit Picks – 120 calories, 0 fat, 2.5g sugar
• Perfect Oatmeal – 140 calories, 110mg sodium, .5g fat
• Egg White, Spinach, Feta Cheese Wrap – 280 calories, 3.5g fat, 900mg sodium (this is the one bad thing; drink lots of water)

The Bad (eat these in a dark corner then do a lot of aerobics)

• Caffe Latte with syrup – 250 calories, 4g sugar, 4g fat
• Caramel Macchiato, iced or hot, 2% – 240 calories, 4g sugar, 4.5g fat
• Caffe Mocha, ice or hot, 2% – 330 calories, 5g sugar, 8g fat
• Caramel or Mocha Frappuccino – 380 calories, 10g sugar, 9g fat
• Green Tea Blended Creme  - 490 calories, 13g sugar, 7g fat

• Cupcake – 430 calories, 8.5g sugar, 15g fat
• Outrageous Oatmeal Cookie – 370 calories, 9g sugar, 8g fat (so sad!)
• Sausage, Egg, & Cheddar English Muffin – 500 calories, 9g sat fat, 980mg sodium
• Banana Bread – 490 calories, 11.5g sugar, 2.5g fat
• Apple Fritter or Doughnut – 420 calories, 8g sugar, 9.5 fat
• Zucchini Walnut Muffin – 490 calories, 7g sugar, 2.5g fat

For more nutritional data, visit their website.

Did anything surprise you? Know of any other restaurants secretly making us fat?

Preparation time 15 minutes
Cooking time 25 minutes

Serves 4

1 large eggplant, weighing about 10 oz/280 g. sliced
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil1 onion, cut into wedges
2-4 garlic cloves, cut in half
1 red bell pepper, seeded, peeled, and chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded, peeled, and chopped
scant 1 cup vegetable stock
4 oz/115 g white mushrooms
5 cups baby spinach leaves, rinsed
3 oz/85 g goat cheese, sliced
whole-wheat bread, to serve

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet and add the eggplant with the onion and garlic. Cook over very gentle heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, then add the bell peppers. Pour in the stock and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and let simmer for 10 minutes.

2. Add the mushrooms and continue to simmer for 5 minutes, then stir in the spinach and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally until the spinach has begun to wilt.

3. Place the goat cheese slices on top, then heat for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese begins to melt. Serve immediately with chunks of whole wheat bread. [Angel's note: I didn't use goat cheese (I don't like it) and I didn't use bread (I don't see the need). Feel free to make your own adjustments.]

Serving Analysis

• Calories 132
• Fat 7.5
• Protein 7.2
• Carbohydrates 9.6

This is a tasty meal to whip up when you get home from work. Enjoy!