Coffee lover? Your coffee habit might be hurting your health. In moderation, caffeine is fine, but too much can stop you from sleeping, increase feelings of anxiety, and increase your calorie intake if you take milk, sugar, or other flavorings. If coffee has you reaching for the Gaviscon, feeling the jitters, or lying awake at night, you could switch to an alternative. If you can’t give up your coffee, make some changes to your habit to make it healthier.
By Team Savant
Image: Nathan Dumlao
Drink Your Coffee Black
Black coffee has less than 10 calories per cup. If you’re trying to cut calories and keep your coffee as healthy as you can, then have your coffee without the added extras. You might find black coffee bitter at first, but over time your taste buds will get used to it.
Stick To Almond Milk
If you aren’t allergic to nuts, then almond milk is one of the healthiest milk choices you can use in your coffee. Unlike whole milk, which can seriously increase the calorie count, almond milk can keep your cup of coffee to under 100 calories.
Avoid Artificial Creamers
Artificial creamers are filled with lots of different ingredients and are laden with sugar, making them a pretty unhealthy choice for adding to your coffee, and for putting in your body. Instead of adding artificial creamers to your coffee, choose something natural, like coconut milk with a drop of vanilla extract. You could also try mixing your preferred milk option with a teaspoon of honey for a flavor hit without the sugar and unknown ingredients.
Use Organic Beans
If you brew your coffee using beans, check the origin of your coffee beans. Buying certified organic coffee is better for you than other options. Organic coffee is free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals, so no additional chemicals can enter your body via your morning cup of Joe.
Add Cinnamon
Noticed the jar of cinnamon on the counter of your local cafe? It’s time to try it. Adding cinnamon to your coffee can have some health benefits. Cinnamon can help to reduce inflammation throughout the body and has been linked to heart health. Cinnamon has also been linked to stabilizing blood sugar.
Add Chocolate
If you add them in moderation, unsweetened cocoa and dark chocolate are great to add to your coffee. Some studies suggest numerous health benefits, such as balancing cholesterol and potential cancer-preventing properties. This makes it a great addition for people with a sweet tooth.
Add Butter
Known as Bulletproof coffee, add a small piece of butter to your coffee, and use an immersion blender to make a frothy latte. Unsalted, grass-fed butter, when added to coffee, gives you the boost of energy that you want from your coffee, without the need to add sugar or cream.
Don’t Drink On An Empty Stomach
Drinking coffee on an empty stomach is unhealthy, and can damage your stomach lining and increase your anxiety. Eat breakfast before you drink your morning coffee. You shouldn’t drink coffee excessively either. Stay away from it after 3pm to save your sleep schedule.