Wake up and smell the coffee

Are you a regular visitor to one of those coffee shops that offer much more than your basic cup of coffee? Is a large latte with whipped cream or a cappuccino a common choice during your break? While delicious and comforting, these coffee habits could be giving you more fat, (particularly saturated fat) and calories than you realise.

Coffee alone is relatively low in calories and fat. An espresso for example contains 6 calories per shot, but with the extras it's a different picture: a cappuccino, caffè latte or frapuccino made with whole milk could provide between 120 and a whopping 430 calories, which is nearly a quarter of a woman's daily intake. Coupled with 7 to 15g fat, (two-thirds of which could be saturated) puts them on a par with a bar of chocolate, a bag of crisps or even a piece of fish in batter.

Here are a few tips to bear in mind when choosing your coffee:

• Ask specifically for skimmed or semi-skimmed milk as whole milk may be used as standard.

• Say no to whipped cream as this adds more saturated fat and up to 100 calories extra- and go easy on the flavoured syrup

• Many shops provide their own nutritional information, so find out exactly what's in your cup

• Less is more - just savour your smaller cup more slowly and remember to see these cuppas as a treat rather than a habitual part of your day

These glamorous coffees may be delicious, but they could help expand your waistline and significantly increase your saturated fat intake, being detrimental to your heart and arteries.

Have a look at your habits, choose wisely and get the balance right between treats, healthy foods and an active lifestyle.

For more information visit Heartresearch.org.uk.