If you’re one of the nine in 10 American adults that drink a cup of coffee every day, you know exactly how you like yours. Maybe your go-to cup of joe includes two sugars and an ounce of milk. Perhaps you enjoy adding syrups, flavored creamers, and whipped cream to your daily mug of java.
Regardless of how you take your coffee, there are several ways to make it healthier. Nix additives, preservatives and other chemicals and create a barista-worthy brew that tastes just as good as your favorite drink — without all the nasty health effects.
Use the five tips below to cut excess calories and sugars from your beverage.
1. Drink It Black
If your morning cup of joe is more cream than coffee, the mere thought of drinking it black might make you cringe. However, nixing cream and sugar is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prepare a healthier cup of coffee.
Of course, plain black java might taste bitter initially, so wean yourself off slowly and stick with light roasts and flavored beans. Eventually, your taste buds will adapt to the bolder flavors. You might even find yourself throwing back espresso shots every morning.
2. Brew Organic Beans
Conventional coffee requires more herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and fertilizers than any other food on the planet. These chemicals negatively affect the environment and human health, which is why you should only brew organic beans.
Because they don’t come into contact with toxins and other contaminants, organic coffee beans may contain more antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients than conventional ones. Plus, organic coffee generally has a more robust flavor profile, giving you all the more reason to drink it.
3. Nix Artificial Creamers
Interestingly enough, people who enjoy a few cups of coffee every day actually tend to be more genetically tolerant to caffeine and its potential adverse health effects. However, that doesn’t mean their bodies can tolerate all the cream and sugar in those two — or 10 — cups.
Artificial creamers come in single-serve packs or large bottles, both of which are chock-full of artificial ingredients, preservatives, and sugar.
Luckily, you can cut excess calories and additives from your morning cup of coffee by using almond milk instead. This plant-based alternative is naturally low in sugar, so long as you choose the unsweetened version, and contains very few additives, if any. Remember to read nutrition labels and ingredient lists on your search for the best brand.
4. Make It a Mocha
If you can’t find flavored beans and you’re trying to give up creamer, syrups might sound like the next best thing. Who can resist a peppermint latte or a caramel macchiato, right? However, flavored syrups often contain just as much sugar as artificial creamers, which can easily cause your energy levels to dip later in the day.
Chocolate offers a promising solution. Dark chocolate and unsweetened cocoa powder have numerous health benefits, including balancing cholesterol and boosting energy levels. These foods also contain antioxidants, which can protect your cells against cancer-causing free radicals. Stir the sweet into your morning coffee to start reaping the benefits.
5. Add a Buttery Boost
Have you ever heard of bulletproof coffee? This trend emerged with the keto diet because it easily fits in the low-carb, high-fat eating plan. Essentially, all you have to do is add a small glob of unsalted, grass-fed butter and a bit of MCT oil to your coffee, blend, and enjoy.
This buttery blend provides plenty of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K. It’s also a good source of conjugated fats, which may improve body fat composition. Plus, it contains less sugar than coffee creamers and syrups, so it’ll give you more of a boost without the crash later.
Remember to treat yourself.
Once you know how to prepare a healthier cup of morning coffee, you can make nutritious and delicious beverages every day.
Of course, switching to alternative ingredients and flavors might take some getting used to, so don’t forget to treat yourself every now and then. Order the frappuccino, add the extra whip, and enjoy every sip. You can make a health-conscious coffee tomorrow!
Photo by Drew Coffman on Unsplash
