Is coffee on your mind first thing in the morning? Us too.
Many health experts say that coffee is actually very healthy for you. But, with all of the cream and added sugars, your morning cup of coffee may just be the weak link in your diet.
Here are some coffee hacks that will help you enjoy your coffee, while staying healthy.
Use Nut Milk: Switching the milk product you use is probably the easiest way to reduce calories, fat and sugar in your coffee. Instead of pouring whole milk, that can have up to 150 calories and 8 grams of fat, opt for a nut milk. Almond milk is one of the best replacements as it actually has more calcium, vitamin A and vitamin D than regular whole milk. Further, almond milk has much less calories, usually around only 30 calories, low in fat and can have zero added sugars. Of course there are other options, such as soy milk, coconut milk, and skim milk, but when prioritizing your health, we recommend opting for Almond milk. Click here for further nutritional information on nut milk.
Add Tumeric: Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant that contains many anti-inflammatory qualities. Turmeric is a perfect additive to aid in digestion with your next cup of coffee. Add a pinch next time, for a boost in flavor and health.
Add Cinnamon: Most of us like to drink our coffee with an added sweet touch to it. However, try to skip the artificial creamer or added sugars! An easy way to enjoy coffee with added flavor is to simply add a spoonful of cinnamon. Both natural flavors may regulate blood sugar levels as they will function as a replacement for sugar. Also, Cinnamon is known to be an appetite-suppressant. So, adding that drop of cinnamon to your next cup of coffee may actually boost weight-loss.
Brew Your Coffee Using a Paper Filter: Drinking coffee prepared from a paper filter is directly linked to positive health outcomes. “Unfiltered coffee contains substances which increase blood cholesterol. Using a filter removes these and makes heart attacks and premature death less likely,” according to Dag Thelle, a senior professor in the public health and community medicine department of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Unfortunately, paper filters are not as environmentally friendly, however, they are proven to be the most effective at eliminating oily substances from transferring into your cup of coffee. If you want to make paper filters more eco-friendly, compost them!
Drink Water First: If you are like most of the population, you crave a cup of coffee as soon as you wake up. But wait! Your body is extremely dehydrated after sleeping for 7 or 8 hours with no water intake. Coffee is actually a diuretic, which means that the caffeine dehydrates your body even more. So, try to drink at least one large glass of water when you first wake up, in order to promote hydration, better brain function and overall well-being.
Add Collagen: A new health trend circulating is adding collagen to coffee. So, what actually is collagen? Collagen is a fibrous protein found in your bones, muscle and skin. As you get older, your body tends to produce less collage, which can lead to increased wrinkles and weakening of joint cartilage. Many are trying to find more ways to supplement collagen into their diet, and adding it to coffee is an easy way to do so! Collagen has a neutral taste, so you won’t even realize the addition!
Eat Before: According to Lloyds Pharmacist Nitin Makadia, “hydrochloric acid has a very important function to support the digestion of food and is therefore released when you eat, smell or even start thinking about food. Coffee, even decaffeinated coffee, has been shown to stimulate production of acid which, in the absence of food, can be damaging to the lining of the stomach with repeated exposure.” Also, drinking coffee on an empty stomach can delay the feeling of hunger and increase feelings of anxiety. So, make sure to get some food in your stomach before indulging in your first cup of coffee. Make sure to check out our top 10 healthy breakfast ideas!
Mix in Coconut Oil: Many of us prefer our coffee on the sweeter side, but this typically means adding unwarranted sugars and cream. Coconut oil provides a sweet taste, while simultaneously adding health benefits. Coconut oil can contribute to weight loss as it is used often in a keto-diet, as well as may improve energy levels, and stimulate bowel movements. Although adding coconut oil is not for everyone, one spoonful can be a great supplement in your next cup of coffee. Click here for a helpful recipe!
Try Mushroom Coffee: This may sound unappealing and disorienting at first, but adding mushroom to coffee actually has many health benefits. Mushrooms hold prebiotics that can aid in producing healthy bacteria in the gut, which is beneficial for digestion. Further, functional mushrooms are adaptogens and may help with the jittery side effects of caffeine. A few functional mushrooms that we recommend include Lion’s Mane, Ashwagandha and Chaga. Check out the coffee brand Four Sigmatic for mushroom coffee.
Add a Spoonful of Chocolate: This may seem like a trick, but it isn’t! Cocoa is rich in polyphenols, which can reduce inflammation and aid in balancing cholesterol levels. Cocoa Powder may also have the ability to lower blood pressure, and maintain healthy blood sugar levels. All in all, there are many more health benefits to cocoa that may surprise you! So, try to add a teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder to your next coffee.
