To me, coffee is #LIFE. Not having it every day while pregnant actually proved to be one of the hardest parts (along with a good glass of vino). And because I’ve realized how much I really do rely on it, and honestly, look forward to it, I’m exploring a few ways to make it a bit healthier. Because what’s better than coffee? Healthy coffee, duh.
Give decaf a chance
As much as I hate to admit it, caffeine can have some unfortunate side effects like insomnia, anxiousness and increased irritability. But sometimes I think I’m more addicted to the routine and the taste rather than the caffeine itself, so I’m trying to give decaf a chance. Maybe it’ll work out and become part of my routine? TBD.
Stick to basics
The baristas of the world have come up with some really delicious coffee drinks, but unfortunately they’re not so nutritious. Indulging in something a little sweeter every now and then is totally acceptable, but I think the key is finding a really good blend and letting the beans do all the talking. This way you can leave out all the added sugar and artificial flavors that can cause bloat and weight gain. Plus, black coffee is actually loaded with antioxidants and has been linked to reducing the chance of stroke and heart disease. That’s enough to convince me.
Add cinnamon
If you love cinnamon in your coffee, I have good news. Cinnamon is a great anti-inflammatory, full of antioxidants and historically has tons of medicinal uses on its resume. I recommend adding it into the beans before blending so it really gets deep into the taste of your morning cup.
Any other healthy secrets? I would love to hear any recommendations you might have. Cheers!
8 comments
I like to add a little bit of MCT oil (Viva Naturals – keeps me full till lunch sometimes), a capful of Collagen Peptides powder (from Sports Research – 10 grams of protein and doesn’t change the flavor of the coffee and dissolves perfectly when the coffee is still hot – my nails are growing a lot stronger now after only a month), and occasionally a bit of turmeric! 😀
I love cinnamon in coffee! I like adding it to my grounds before brewing, but I can totally see grinding it with the beans doing a similar thing!
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All good ideas,will have to try them out
Oh I add cinnamon to the grounds (I do a pour over or a french press). I’ll also do the same with allspice… not only will it sorta taste like chai, but also anti-inflammatory.
chevrons & éclairs
Ground cardamom is one of my favourite ways to jazz up black coffee (brew it in with the ground beans), and if you want to get really fancy try substituting plain water with rose water.
I love adding maca powder and pine pollen and sometimes a bit of greens powder. If I do want a bit of sweetness I add a teaspoon of manuka honey (endless benefits!) or a drop of vanilla stevia. Oh, and Califia’s almond/coconut creamer is great for those of us that like cream in our coffee!
The best secret to healthy coffee is skipping the milk and/or cream and opting for a plant based milk – So Delicious brand makes a really great Coconut Milk creamer that is perfect!
I add drop of pure vanilla extract to my coffee with cinnamon. Delic!