Nutrition Nerd Friday Tip:

Happy first snowfall! As the weather gets colder and it becomes harder to get out of bed each morning, it’s only fair to have your favorite warm beverage to kick off your day. The abundant choices offered at many coffee shops and cafes make it increasingly more difficult to choose the perfect drink that will start your morning off right and, more importantly, isn’t loaded with tons of sugar and sweeteners.

Sweetened beverages add unwanted calories, and in the winter we tend to gravitate toward drinking sweeter, hotter beverages to keep us warm. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you’re waiting in line to order your next beverage:

1. Opt for the smallest (or smaller) cup. Getting a drink that is 4 ounces smaller in size could cut out up to 25% of calories.

2. The best (or healthiest) beverage choice is brewed black coffee or tea. Both boast great health benefits, such as protection against chronic diseases and expedited weight loss.

3. If you’re going to add that splash of milk, stick to the nonfat, soy or 2%. Avoid adding whole milk or half and half to save those extra calories.

4. If you want to add a bit of sweetness to your beverage, settle for some honey. Honey is rich of antioxidants and packs less calories than sugar.

Stay warm this weekend and enjoy your healthy beverages!