Tammy's Ten: Reasons to Avoid Iced Cappuccinos This Summer

You're stuck in the drive-through, about to order a plain cup of coffee, when the lady in front of you buys an Iced Cappuccino. It's hot outside and the Iced Cappuccino looks really refreshing. What should you do? Learn the facts. Here's what you need to know before making that switch. (Data based on Tim Hortons regular coffees and Original Iced Cappuccinos in London, ON locations)

1. Iced Cappuccinos are more expensive than regular coffees. A large Iced Cappuccino costs $3.09 and a large coffee costs $1.38. That's more than double the price!

2. Iced Cappuccinos have more calories than regular coffees. A large Iced Cappuccino with cream has 500 calories and a large coffee with double cream and sugar has 230 calories. In swimsuit season, every calorie counts!

3. Iced Cappuccinos have more caffeine than regular coffees. A large Iced Cappuccino has 153mg of caffeine and a large coffee contains 140mg of caffeine. Not much difference, but it all adds up. Especially if you are pregnant or caffeine sensitive.

4. Iced Cappuccinos melt quickly. In the summer heat, they don't last long. Your morning coffee may last until break, but your Iced Cappuccino won't survive the commute!

5. Iced Cappuccinos are addictive. Buy an Iced Cappuccino now and you'll be craving them all summer long. They're like Lays potato chips, you can't have just one!

6. If you order an Iced Cappuccino, your kids will want one. Let's face it; they look like a giant slurpee your kids would buy from the corner store. Add whipped cream and you are sure to hear them whining for a sip.

7. Iced Cappuccinos are messy. Okay, even coffee drinkers spill on their clothes occasionally, but Iced Cappuccinos are definitely messier. The lid is always open, they're sticky and you can't help trying to use the straw as a spoon!

8. Iced Cappuccinos are harder to transport. They don't fit easily into coffee trays, car holders or strollers and the lid has a big hole in the top. When your car or stroller goes over a bump, stuff flies out!

9. You can't carry an Iced Cappuccino in your teeth. Carrying a coffee in your teeth has become an unfortunate, but necessary practice for many consumers. Just ask most parents or any stick-shift driver.

10. When you buy an Iced Cappuccino, you are not eligible for marketing promotions. 'Roll up the Rim' is only offered on standard coffee cups. When you switch to an Iced Cappuccino, you forfeit your chance to win cash and prizes.

Iced Cappuccinos cost more, have more calories and caffeine, don't last long, are addictive, your kids will want one, they're messy, hard to transport, you can't carry them in your teeth and you lose out on promotions. Why on earth would you want to make that last minute switch? They taste really, really good. Why, oh why, did they have to make them taste so good....

www.timhortons.com