SEATTLE -- Starbucks is switching from whole milk to 2 percent for its standard espresso-based coffee drinks.

The company said it's responding to customer requests for lower-fat milk.

The change will take place by the end of the year in the United States and Canada. The first Starbucks with lighter lattes will be in New York, where they make the switch on June 5.

Customers will still be able to request whole milk, as well as skim or soy. Customers in the United States can even request organic milk.

"Choice has always been at the heart of what we offer," said Denny Marie Post, senior vice president of Global Food and Beverage, Starbucks Coffee Co. "The move to reduced fat milk as our core dairy offering comes directly from our customers' requests, and while they will still have the option to customize their drinks, our standard beverages will now come with fewer calories and less fat."

At the same time, Starbucks plans to assess options for conversion to lower fat dairy in the 39 markets the company operates outside of North America.

Tips On Cutting Calories

Here are a few changes you can make to satisfy your taste buds without packing on the pounds.

1. It's not the coffee that makes you fat, but all the extras that go with it. And if you control how much of those extras you put in, you have a better chance of fitting into your skinny jeans over your hips. So, order a black coffee, ask for the extras on the side and pour them in yourself.
   A tablespoon of chocolate syrup (50 calories), for example, tickles your taste buds as much as the ¼ cup -- or 16 tablespoons (800 calories) -- that some large specialty coffees contain. Better yet, a light version of chocolate syrup gives you about half the calories of regular.
2. If you must order specialty beverages, order ones made with milk, like cappuccino or latte (260 calories). They satisfy but have fewer extras and fewer calories than say a 400-calorie frappucino of the same size.
3. Use skim milk instead of cream or whole milk. This will cut around 50 calories, depending on the size of your drink.
   But beware of disclaimers such as the one found on Starbucks' Web site: "Items shown in italics are not milk based and/or not customizable by milk type. These items will not be affected by selecting a milk type." Translation: If you favorite brew is in italics, you'll get the same number of calories regardless of the milk you choose.
4. To save about 100 calories and 10 grams of fat, just say no to the whipped topping.
5. Less is more when it comes to preventing weight gain, so order a smaller size. For example, an 8-ounce cup of café mocha has 200 calories and 11 grams of fat. You don't have to be a mathematician to know that if you double the size of the serving, you also double the calories and fat. With the 20-ounce size, you guzzle 490 calories and 26 grams of fat. Hasta la vista, skinny jeans!
6. Educate yourself. While you can't read the label on your favorite gourmet coffee drink to find out what it contains, many specialty coffee shops now offer the nutritional content of their drinks on their Web sites.

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