For office workers and many others, lunchtime means heading to the local supermarket, coffee shop or cafe for something to eat. There they can buy savoury products, drinks and sweet treats. A bad day at the office can set off a mass purchase of all things chocolaty. The muffin has become a very popular snack for people to buy with a coffee or as a pudding. They can be eaten with little mess and come in a variety of flavours so everyone can find one they like.

The muffin is now considered to be a gourmet snack by many because of its shape and flavours. The expansion of gourmet coffee shops like Starbucks has led to this in part. Luxury ingredients like Belgian chocolate chips and the freshest fruits are used so that even discerning eaters are tempted to nibble on the top of a muffin.
The development of the famous ‘skinny muffin’ which claims to be a healthier version of the sweet treats means that even those on a diet can enjoy the flavours of a blueberry or lemon flavoured muffin. Coffee houses are not losing money by driving away those on a diet whilst the customers feel like they are eating something tasty yet healthy.

our attitudes have also changed towards muffins because of their shape and size. When muffins were first introduced into coffee shops they were small and evenly shaped. Then, the top of the muffin became the most prized section and manufacturers began to bake them so that the top was larger than the bottom. This is where the term ‘muffin top’ came from which we use to describe stomachs that are being squeezed over tight trousers.

In recent years however the flower-pot or tulip muffin has become the most popular. People are less willing to eat such a big portion of sweet food all in one sitting and this new design is smaller than we have seen for a while. It is wrapped in a piece of luxury paper which is where the name flower-pot comes from.

There can be major profits made by selling muffins in coffee houses and shops, and now pubs are getting in on the action by offering their customers muffins as a sweet alternative to the more traditional savoury snacks usually found in pubs.

When you are looking for a quick meal during a busy day at the office or on your way to a meeting, it can be hard finding something that is healthy, tasty and easy to eat. Pre-packed sandwiches are often full of salt and fat, crisps are the same and sugary pop can rot your teeth as well as add hundreds of extra calories into your diet. However by heading to your local shop you can find a meal that ticks all of the boxes.

A skinny muffin and a soy milk coffee is a meal that is tasty and filling as well as being healthy for you. Well it is not as bad for you as other lunch time choices can be.

but how can a muffin and a coffee be a meal that is convenient and filling as well as saving you hundreds of calories on a normal meal?

Well we know that it is convenient because they are pre-made by the coffee shop. It only takes 10 minutes or less to order and collect your meal from the coffee shop so you can be in an out quickly. Spills should not be a problem if you are walking or getting into a taxi because the lid will prevent any liquid from escaping. You also don’t need to think about a plate or knife and fork with your muffin because you can simply bite into it.

The reason behind the meal being filling and nutritious can be found in the ingredients that make this meal different from the non-healthy version of it. A skinny muffin is healthier than a normal muffin because the flour that is used is usually a mixture of wholemeal and soy flour. You feel fuller for longer when these two grains are consumer rather than white flour. You usually also get healthier flavour fillings, instead of chocolate, blueberries give the taste.

Choosing skimmed or soy milk for your coffee is better than full fat or even semi-skimmed because the protein content is high but the amount of fat is seriously reduced. Protein is a necessary source of dietary nutrient for the body and is very healthy. This is because it is digested slowly and is not absorbed as fat in the body. You should feel fuller for longer with this type of milk.

This meal option of a skinny muffin and soy or skimmed milk is convenient when you are on the move or in a rush, healthy and filling, what more could you want?

For many people, lunchtime means going out of the office to a local cafe, coffee shop or supermarket. There, you can buy savoury products, hot and cold drinks and sweet treats for afters. Sweet products are most commonly bought by people experiencing a bad day. A muffin is often the treat of choice to accompany a coffee or as a dessert. because they come in a number of flavours and are easy to use, the muffin is a convenient food as well as a tasty one.

The muffin is now considered to be a gourmet snack by many because of its shape and flavours. This is partly due to the expansion of gourmet coffee houses like Starbucks. Those who are picky over the food feel better knowing that luxury ingredients are used like Belgian chocolate and fresh fruits and berries.
The development of the famous ‘skinny muffin’ which claims to be a healthier version of the sweet treats means that even those on a diet can enjoy the flavours of a blueberry or lemon flavoured muffin. The skinny muffin benefits all because dieters have something tasty and healthy to eat whilst the shops retain customers.

There has also been a revolution in the shape of muffins and this has had an impact on consumer attitude towards muffins. muffins began quite small and evenly shaped. Then, the top of the muffin became the most prized section and manufacturers began to bake them so that the top was larger than the bottom. This is where the term ‘muffin top’ came from which we use to describe stomachs that are being squeezed over tight trousers.

The flower-pot muffin is the newest shape to hit the shelves. People are less willing to eat such a big portion of sweet food all in one sitting and this new design is smaller than we have seen for a while. many also come in a luxury wrapping around the base which gives them the flower-pot name.

Coffee stores and shops can make a lot of money from having muffins on their shelves as can pubs where customers like the sweet alternative to crisps and pork scratchings.