Starbucks Slims Down (July 2007)

Your morning latte’ just got a bit lighter-at least, if you get your java fix at Starbucks, the nation’s largest coffeehouse chain.

The company announced that by the end of the year it will replace whole milk with 2% milk in espresso concoctions at all its North American outlets. Customers can still request whole milk, but the reduced-fat option will now be the default for all Starbucks drinks. Think twice, though, before bucking the low-fat trend: A 16-ounce “grade” latte’ beverage made with whole milk packs 260 calories, compared to 190 calories in the new 2%-milk version.

Of course, if you really want to cut calories and fat, you could opt for an “Americano” coffee instead-no milk and no sugar means zero calories and zero fat.