Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and for good reason. It’s delicious, it gives you a boost of energy, and it can even be good for your health. However, if you’re trying to cut down on sugar, you may be wondering how to sweeten your coffee without adding extra calories.
Here are a few of the healthiest ways to sweeten your coffee:
- Stevia: Stevia is a natural sweetener that is derived from the leaves of the stevia plant. It is much sweeter than sugar, but it contains no calories or carbs. Stevia is also safe for people with diabetes.
- Monk fruit: Monk fruit is another natural sweetener that is derived from the fruit of the monk fruit plant. It is also much sweeter than sugar, but it contains no calories or carbs. Monk fruit is also safe for people with diabetes.
- Erythritol: Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is derived from fermented cornstarch. It is about 60% as sweet as sugar, but it contains no calories or carbs. Erythritol is also safe for people with diabetes.
Tips for Sweetening Your Coffee with Natural Sweeteners
- Start with a small amount of sweetener and add more to taste. Natural sweeteners are much sweeter than sugar, so you don’t need to use a lot.
- If you’re using stevia, be sure to dissolve it in a small amount of hot water before adding it to your coffee. This will help to prevent it from clumping.
- Monk fruit and erythritol can be added directly to your coffee without dissolving them first.
- Experiment with different natural sweeteners to find the one that you like best.
Other Ways to Sweeten Your Coffee
If you don’t want to use natural sweeteners, there are a few other ways to sweeten your coffee without adding sugar.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a spice that can add a sweet flavor to your coffee. It also has a number of health benefits, including reducing inflammation and improving blood sugar control.
- Nutmeg: Nutmeg is another spice that can add a sweet flavor to your coffee. It also has a number of health benefits, including reducing anxiety and improving digestion.
- Cacao powder: Cacao powder is made from the roasted beans of the cocoa tree. It has a slightly sweet flavor and it is also a good source of antioxidants.
Sweeteners to Avoid
There are a few sweeteners that you should avoid if you’re trying to be healthy.
- White sugar: White sugar is the most common type of sugar, but it contains no nutrients and is high in calories.
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar is slightly less processed than white sugar, but it still contains a lot of calories and no nutrients.
- High-fructose corn syrup: High-fructose corn syrup is a sweetener that is made from corn. It is sweeter than sugar, but it is also high in calories and can contribute to weight gain and other health problems.
Sweetening Your Coffee with Milk or Cream
If you prefer your coffee with milk or cream, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Milk: Milk is a good source of protein and calcium, but it also contains lactose, which is a type of sugar. If you’re lactose intolerant, you may want to avoid adding milk to your coffee.
- Cream: Cream is a good source of fat and protein, but it also contains lactose. If you’re lactose intolerant, you may want to avoid adding cream to your coffee.
- Half-and-half: Half-and-half is a mixture of milk and cream. It contains less lactose than milk, but it also contains more fat.
- Almond milk: Almond milk is a plant-based milk that is made from almonds. It is a good source of vitamin E and calcium, and it is also low in calories and lactose-free.
- Oat milk: Oat milk is a plant-based milk that is made from oats. It is a good source of fiber and beta-glucan, and it is also low in calories and lactose-free.
Conclusion
There are a number of healthy ways to sweeten your coffee without adding sugar. Stevia, monk fruit, and erythritol are all natural sweeteners that are much sweeter than sugar, but they contain no calories or carbs. You can also sweeten your coffee with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cacao powder. If you prefer your coffee with milk or cream, be sure to choose a low-fat, low-sugar option.
