Dr Oz: Coffee Chain Investigation
It’s no secret that coffee chains have begun adding more food to their menus each year. But because the chains were originally meant to serve only coffee, Dr Oz wanted to conduct an investigation. Could some of the most popular spots be making health code violations, putting your health at risk? Are you really safe to order food at your favorite coffee shop?
Dr Oz: Health Code Violations At Coffee Shops
Dr Oz conducted an investigation to find out just how healthy coffee shops are, and how you can order a guilt-free, sweet-tasting beverage. (15216811@N06 / Flickr)
A lot of popular coffee shops are tight on space and short on help, especially during the busiest hours. Is the same person handling your food, also taking your money? Are they touching both with bare hands or the same pair of gloves? It can be pretty shocking to think about all the places those hands touch, and the germs that can end up on your food. Be sure wax paper or gloves are being used as a barrier and be sure your hands are washed before you take a bite of your own food.
Bacteria and viruses can survive on beverage ice, so if your barista is handling ice with their hands, that’s bad news. Look to make sure hands aren’t coming into contact with your ice.
Additionally, when considering food in a display case, be sure you’re getting food that’s the right temperature, whether it’s cold or hot. Also pay attention to the sell-by date. As for the bathrooms, if you find unsanitary conditions, it should be a red flag because it could be a sign of what the condition of the kitchen looks like.
Dr Oz: Coffee Chain Secrets Revealed
Peter DeLucia, the health inspector who investigated several coffee chains, admitted to Dr Oz that he wasn’t all that surprised to find that baristas were putting their hands into ice when making drinks. Additionally, when you’re looking at pastries in a display case, it’s made to look like they’re fresh. But the truth is that they prepackaged and simply opened up before being set out for customers to see. Fortunately, Peter explained that it could actually be a good thing, because it means less of an opportunity for bare hand contact.
Dr Oz: Coffee Chain Insider Secrets
Peter also wanted to share some of his insider secrets for how you can be sure you’re getting fast service and the freshest food and coffee possible. Surprisingly, the drive-thru is typically not only the fastest, but the safest. If you grab food from the grab-and-go fridge, reach for items in the back, because those will be the coldest and furthest from their expiration dates.
Dr Oz also liked the idea of ordering your coffee as a pour-over. It’s a special way of making coffee that ensures it’s made to order. Also, ask for almond milk or coconut milk, because it’s typically coming right from the fridge which means it’s nice and cold, compared to the more commonly used dairy milk.
Dr Oz: Healthier Coffee Tricks
Dr Oz was then excited to learn more about how you can avoid calorie bombs at the coffee shop and make healthier decisions. Instead of ordering off the menu, try making a flavored drink yourself. The World Health Organization recommends that you have less than 25 grams of added sugar per day. Some sweetened coffee drinks can have even more than that! Instead of asking for a drink with syrup in it, try using a sprinkle like cocoa powder or cinnamon. Starbucks will soon be adding red pepper flakes as well.
You should also use cubes in your coffee, because by adding ice before you add your cream, it could save you at least 30 calories. It may also be a good idea to swap out your milk. If you don’t specify the kind of milk you want, they will give you whole milk or 2%. Instead of asking for skim milk, which can be watery, try almond milk or coconut milk. Typically they’re unsweetened, like at most Starbucks.
Finally, order the size off the secret menu. There’s a size called the “short” or the kids’ size. It can save you around 70 calories if you order a whole milk latte. For a tasty coffee drink that comes in at under 100 calories, order your coffee the “Oz way.” Order an almond milk cafe ole, which is a 1-1 ratio of brewed coffee with almond milk. Then add a sprinkle of cinnamon and cocoa powder.
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