Five Ways Of Making Your ‘Coffee Drinking Habit’ Healthier
Every regular coffee drinker looks forward to their morning ritual. Whether you use a Keurig, french press, pour-over coffee maker, or standard coffee maker, there’s a comforting effect to brewing your own coffee and taking in the sounds and aroma.
While this routine and your average cup of joe will certainly satisfy your tastebuds and give you a quick jolt from the caffeine, will it sustain you into the afternoon?
Coffee, though delicious, has little nutritional value by itself. Without a significant amount of any macronutrient, coffee is low-calorie but not a substantial energy source. Drinking coffee is a great way to start the day, but only if you accompany the beverage with a healthy breakfast.
In addition to eating a balanced morning meal, you can enhance your coffee to experience extra health benefits. A few ways to maintain healthier coffee-drinking habits include:
- Brew Your Coffee with Filtered Water
All water is not equal. Depending on where you live, your water source may contain numerous chemicals and contaminants. In large quantities, these chemicals can have adverse health effects such as cancer, liver disease, and skin problems. For peace of mind while drinking your daily cup of coffee, always brew with filtered water. Many coffee drinkers even claim that filtered water gives their drink a crisper taste.
- Drink Sparkling Coffee as a Soda Substitute
Many people turn to soda as a source of caffeine. Unfortunately, soda is chock-full of sugar, and habitual over-consumption of soft drinks often contributes to weight gain and the development of Type 2 diabetes.
For soda-lovers looking to cut down on their sugar intake, sparkling soda is a great alternative. It has the same bubbly texture of soda and offers a caffeine kick.
To make sparkling ice coffee, just add sparkling water to two chilled shots of espresso. For added flavor, add orange peel or a bit of lemon.
- Try Bulletproof Coffee
For anyone on a ketogenic diet, drinking keto coffee makes it easy to kick off the fat-burning state of ketosis and start the day with extra energy. To make keto coffee, combine coffee, MCT oil, and grass-fed ghee with a blender. Some companies, such as Bulletproof, sell these ingredients together in keto coffee kits.
What makes keto coffee healthy? In the absence of carbohydrates, the body converts the type of fats found in MCT oil and ghee into ketones, which can be used as an alternate energy source. Burning fat quickly rather than storing it in the body promotes weight loss.
- Add a Pinch of Cinnamon
Don’t underestimate the power of herbs and spices. Cinnamon not only has a bold flavor, but it also has immunity-boosting properties. The antioxidants in cinnamon fight off harmful free radicals and reduce inflammation.
To enjoy cinnamon in your coffee, simply sprinkle it on top or dissolve it in a small spoonful honey before mixing it in.
- Indulge with Cocoa Powder
Who said cocoa isn’t good for you? While chocolate, which typically features sugar and milk, can get pretty decadent, cocoa powder is low in calories and fat. Chocolate producers extract the cocoa butter from cacao beans during their liquid processing, leaving behind a residue that, once dried, is sold as cocoa powder. Studies show that cocoa powder may help support immune health, reduce blood sugar, and decrease the risk of having a heart attack, among other health benefits.
For a chocolatey taste, you can add cocoa powder into your coffee grounds before brewing, add it directly into your coffee after it’s made, or mix it in with your preferred creamer.
Change Your Coffee, Change Your Life
Drinking coffee in the morning is a daily habit for millions of people worldwide. Why not make this habit work for you? With small adaptations, you can make your morning cup of coffee just a little bit healthier. Once a habit is formed, you’ll start to notice the effect of the additional nutrients. You drink coffee every day anyway—you might as well make it a part of your health regiment.
