Convenience, comfort and caffeine... what more could students ask for? Thanks to the collective demand for such necessities, one need not walk farther than a block or two in any direction in most urban areas to locate at least one shop that makes baked goods and hot beverages their business.

This coffee shop trend has been going on for decades, becoming especially popular in the '90s (think Central Perk from Friends). For the most part, there is nothing negative about this recent development in coffee culture; coffee shops provide us a place to meet up, catch up and, of course, perk up. However, as corporate café establishments continue to grow, their nutritional standards continue to fall.

Companies want to make the "big bucks," and, unfortunately, it's simpler to sell products that are loaded with unnecessary sugars and additives. It's easy for customers to get hooked on products that are convenient and tasty, especially when they aren't aware of the garbage they are really putting into their bodies. Luckily for the businesses, they are not legally required to print their nutritional facts on their products. No, to locate that kind of top-secret knowledge, you need initiative (and, quite frankly, bravery)!

These nutritional facts are hidden for a reason. Nobody wants to face the hard truth that your seemingly innocent raisin bran muffin from Tim Horton's packs a total of 410 calories, including 13 grams of fat and 40 grams of sugar. Muffins are indeed the nutritional devils in disguise. To top it off, many fastfood restaurants like Tim Hortons use deceptive words like "wholegrain," "bran" and "low-fat" to trick you into thinking you are eating something healthy. In reality, these supposed "diet" menu items are more often than not just as high in calories as the regular menu items (and those at least have chocolate!). In fact, these misleading muffins and pastries are often even higher in sugar content from the companies attempting to compensate for the meagre amount of quality nutrition they added to draw health-conscious customers in.

Designer café drinks are another silent but deadly killer for your health. If you're not careful, you could be drinking up to 500 calories with a "Venti" sized beverage at Starbucks… and that's not even including the whipped topping or chocolate shavings! In other words, people can unwittingly gulp down the caloric equivalent of a meal. That's not to say occasionally indulging in sweet treats is wrong; denying yourself too much can increase your chances of overeating later. The key to maintaining a healthy diet is knowing when to say yes and when to say no.

If you're hooked on the 'Bucks or your tri-daily Timmies, there are ways to spoil yourself without spoiling your health. Choosing skim milk, sugar-free options and skipping the whipped cream on top are options to significantly lower your caloric intake. Ordering your drink a size smaller and consciously sipping it slowly will not only save you precious cash, but it will also increase your overall appreciation for it. Psychological studies show that focusing on the textures and flavours of what you eat and drink has a relaxing and rewarding effect. Your wallet and waistline will thank you.