How I Became A Hot Chocolate Pusher

A few weeks ago, I stopped at Starbucks and saw an advertisement for their new Signature Hot Chocolate.  The ads were so inviting and so nicely designed that I felt compelled to just try it.  It was cold outside, I was on the low end of my "weight range" and I thought, oh, what could it hurt and it will taste soooo good.  Well I was definitely right about part of my thesis - it tasted sooooo good.  Beyond soooo good.  It is a truly extraordinary invention.

That one choice, that one minute when I made the decision to just try it that day, turned into 3 days in a row.  I got so into them that by the next week, on my way to a playdate with my son's friends,  I mentioned that I would be a few minutes late, I had to stop for a Signature Hot Chocolate.   One of the other moms replied with "Hey, are those good?  I'll have one too."  About 4 days later, one mom pulled me aside and said, "Jackie, I can't get into my jeans.   I am up to 3 salted caramel signature hot chocolates a day.  And while I'm telling you this,  I think I'm going out to get another one."  The next day, a few other mothers were also talking about the new habit I had introduced and how good those hot chocolates are.  They started comparing the hazelnut to the salted caramel and I was jokingly called a hot chocolate pusher.  ME!!  I couldn't believe it.  One little choice, less than a minute choice, led to a 3 week hot chocolate habit and had also led many other people down that same road.

Then I thought this:  I only get one a day, but I wonder what's in those things? It was one of the first times that I can remember that I didn't bother to think about what might be in it before I bought it,   I just wanted it.  I had guessed that it was about 150 calories and 3 weight watchers points but then when I actually took a moment and thought about it, I realized they probably made it with whole milk to make it taste that good and added whatever makes it "signature" and uh oh, it's got to be more than 150 calories.  When I asked,  I found out that it was a pre-made mix with non-fat milk and a grande was 380 calories and 7 weight watchers points!   I have since see 470 calories in other places which would be 9 ww points but I'm thinking that is with the whipped cream.  I got my info directly from the starbucks employee.  I was dumbfounded.  And pretty upset.  How could I have not even asked?? After the shock, I was completely over it.  Maybe not for good, but as a daily habit.  The knowledge about what it was, what was in it and how many calories it had was enough for me.  I haven't ordered one since (it's been about a week now). 

The learning here?  The moment I discovered what was actually in it, it became effortless to give up.  Look at the labels and if there aren't labels or nutrition facts,  just ask.  That little petite scone might be just as satisfying as the grande hot chocolate was and it would have been 280 calories less.  A decision that took 10 seconds to make can snowball into an extra 2800 calories a week, and not just for one week, but for three weeks! Mine did.  This time of year is crucial - with the holidays and parties and family get -togethers, the mine fields are everywhere.  Next time a 10 second decision presents itself, just think, do I potentially want an extra 3000 calories this week?

Comments

[Natalie]

I make my own low fat hot cocoa mix with powdered milk , cocoa splenda and a little coffee mate delicious only 55 calories per cup.
Guilt free and make the chocolate craving go away
:)

[Roxy]

Addicted to hot chocolate, i found a sweet alternative to calorie laden cups...Nestle, Fat Free hot coco. (Green Ribbon, red box.) 20 calories per packet...if I feel up for it, I have two packets and make it extra strong. Highly recommend it. Stay away from Swiss Miss Diet 25 calorie packets. It's like drinking brown water... IcK!

[twitter.com/avcoxon]

Oh my gosh, I did the EXACT same thing with the McDonald's Caramel Frappes, until I called the company to find out how many calories they had. (They're only in some areas right now, so it wasn't online.) 450 for the medium -- yikes! I'd been drinking at least two or three per week.

[MoniqueDC]

IF you really want good hot chocolate, get some 72% chocolate and melt it into 1% milk. To thicken it, add some fat free half/n/half.

You will get a rich, not sweet hot chocolate, 2-3 points Weight Watchers depending upon amounts you use and very good.

Another alternative is the Sipping Chocolate from Trader Joes. You use 1/4 cup of milk (I used 2%) and it is sinful. Truely, you sip it and it is very very satisfying even for such a small amount.

Enjoy,

M