Coffee Duel!!!

One week ago I decided to get real about my diet and start eating clean again. I’m not a figure competitor anymore – I just lift 5-6 days a week, get in cardio when I have time, and know that I feel better when I eat a high protein veggie heavy mostly clean diet. One week ago I was 7 pounds north of my preferred body weight. I’m now 5.5 pounds north of it. I’m not going diet crazy, just returning to caring about what I’m fueling myself with. I’m eating roughly 2,000 calories a day of 90% clean foods. I eat 5-6 smaller meals and I make sure to pack them up with protein. I allow myself some leeway though. I might have a Cadbury cream egg one day or a Tall Cinnamon Dolce Latte another day. I see no sense in harping on myself for these 150-200 cal splurges of junk calories – I see them as making my diet a realistic lifestyle. When my intake is 90% clean I feel better, pure and simple: no competition carrot, no 1,500 calorie budget of strict macro ratios, just feeling healthy and living a lifestyle that’s realistic for me in the long run.

One of my favorite magazines, M&F Hers, always has “duels” between two types of exercises or machines. I’m a fan of such comparisons and thought I’d do a coffee one for kicks. On Monday after my workout I was craving a Cinnamon Dolce Latte en route to my rather dry afternoon lecture. Leaving the locker room I realized I didn’t have any quick protein so I bought a Muscle Milk Light. I normally pack protein powder from home to save money, but I was unprepared that day. I thought I was getting the chocolate Muscle Milk Light, but when it came out of the vending machine it was a Café Latte flavor I’d never tried. It wasn’t until I drank it that I noticed the big letters on the front declaring it “Caffeinated!” That completely eliminated my Cinnamon Dolce Latte justification so I didn’t get one that day. Which caffeine treat would win a Muscle Milk Cafe Latte Light vs. Starbucks Tall Cinnamon Dolce Latte duel? Let’s find out ;)


(click to enlarge comparison chart)

In terms of nutrition the Muscle Milk is the clear winner. In terms of taste satisfaction the Cinnamon Dolce Latte is the winner, but just barely.
I’m going to declare neither the winner and instead call my homemade frothy Frappuccino-esque shake version the winner for both nutrition and taste =)



Stats & Recipe: 188 calories, 26 grams protein, 12 grams carbs, 4 grams fat.

1 scoop MyoFusion Probiotic Delicious Vanilla protein powder
¼ cup whole milk (yes, whole!)
4-6 ice cubes
4-6 ounces cooled drip coffee
Adjust ice and amount of coffee to your own shake thickness preferences =)