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Stay Slim with Starbucks' Flat White—Here's How

Coffee aficionados will be the first to tell you: flat whites are nothing new to the bean scene. But their induction into the U.S. Starbucks menu this week has many coffee consumers asking, "What the heck is a flat white?"

Before you jump on the trend and confuse your regular barista by swapping out your standard order, you should know you're signing up for 90 more calories than your daily nonfat latte.

Said to have originated in Australia, though New Zealanders would disagree, the flat white boasts ristretto shots—more concentrated, bolder servings of espresso that tend to be sweeter—with whole milk steamed into a micro-foam for a creamy texture and a latte art dot to top it off. That's not the only extra you'll get by swapping your morning cup to this Down Under import; the whole milk may lend a richer texture, but it's also adding 90 calories to your cup and extra fat to your frame.

(For some context, if you switched your nonfat cap to one with 2% milk, it'd still be 100 calories and 7 grams of fat lighter than if you had ordered the flat white.)

Looking to try something new? Grab a short (8 ounce) version to give it a go for 110 calories and a mere 3 grams of fat, then go back to the caffeinated cup you know and love. Maybe that's what Hugh Jackman does—he's said to be a fan!

Drink This

2% Cappuccino, 16 oz

Calories

120

Fat

4 g

Saturated Fat

2 g

Sugar

10 g

Protein

8 g

Not That!

Flat White, 16 oz

Calories

220

Fat

11 g

Saturated Fat

7 g

Sugar

17 g

Protein

12 g

Eat This, Not That!
Inspired by The New York Times best-selling book series, Eat This, Not That! is a brand that's comprised of an award-winning team of journalists and board-certified experts, doctors, nutritionists, chefs, personal trainers, and dietitians who work together to bring you accurate, timely, informative, and actionable content on food, nutrition, dieting, weight loss, health, wellness, and more. Read more about Eat This