For the dieter, the key to choosing a healthy coffee drink is to know where the calories are hiding. Black coffee alone is calorie-free. As well, many studies are showing that coffee has health benefits. In moderation, coffee can half your risk of getting gallstones or Parkinson's disease, slash diabetes rates by up to 54 percent and even reduce your chance of colon cancer by 25 percent. It can even preempt an asthma attack. However, lay on the flavorings and the foamed milk, and you may quickly find yourself with a calorie nightmare.

The easiest way to chop the coffee calories is to keep it simple. Add skim milk and a sugar substitute to taste and you will easily stay below 50 calories. A dash of cinnamon or nutmeg will add flavor without additional calories. A sugar-free shot of hazelnut extract or a few chocolate shavings won't break the calorie bank, either. Two tasty alternatives for sweetening coffee are honey and maple syrup, but they do add extra calories.

Smaller sizes of the same coffee drink have fewer calories than larger sizes. Coffee houses often don't display their smaller cups, so you may have to ask about what smaller sizes are available.

You can also ask the coffee house to reduce the number of flavoring shots. A single shot of standard flavored syrup may have up to 80 calories, and some drinks have as many as four shots. Sugar-free syrups are also available for many flavors. When ordering a flavored coffee, always taste it before adding any extra sweetener or milk.

Substitute skim milk for cream wherever possible. Non-dairy creamers are a calorie-free option, but they may not be to everyone's taste, plus they can contain harmful trans fats. Cut the whipped cream and save yourself up to 120 calories. Avoid coffee drinks that are made from mixes, which are often heavy in trans fats.

An easy, low-calorie recipe for coffee frappe requires nothing more than 2 teaspoons instant coffee of your choice, 1 1/2 cups cold water, ice cubes, skim milk and sugar to taste, whipped together in the blender. This drink has less than 50 calories. You can also substitute cold-brewed coffee for instant. It takes more time, but nearly all the flavoring and caffeine of the coffee beans will come through.

When making coffee drinks at home, why not experiment with some low-calorie combinations? A dash of vanilla extract dances on your taste buds. Use a teaspoon of coconut milk instead of dairy milk for a tropical flavor. Almond milk enhances the mellow nut taste of mild brews, while allspice and ginger intensifies strong brews.

If you really miss your Java Chip Frappuccino, do treat yourself every once in a while. Just remember that it is dessert, not coffee. A small frappuccino will meet your craving just as well as a regular or large, at far fewer calories. Treat it like you would a rich chocolate brownie and indulge occasionally, in moderation.