COFFEE - 3 Tricks to Make it Super-Healthy
by Mike Geary, Certified Nutrition Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer
Author of best seller: The Truth About Six Pack Abs
Mmm, coffee... almost everybody drinks it... some people have 3-4 cups per day or more.
But most people don't think of it as a "health drink". And it's certainly NOT healthy the way most people make it with loads of added sugar or artificial sweeteners and artificial creamers.
But I'll give you my tips here on how I make a healthier cup of coffee and what to watch out for...
First, you may have seen debate in the past about how coffee has some compounds in it that could have negative health effects such as some tars or other possibly inflammatory compounds in brewed coffee. But, the good news is that coffee has such high concentrations of beneficial antioxidants, phenolic nutrients, and other good compounds, that it counteracts the bad compounds. Also, this article here shows various studies that prove coffee reduces risk of many common diseases.
So what's the best way to make a healthy cup of coffee? Well, here's my 3 most important tricks to maximize the benefits of coffee and minimize the negatives:
1. First of all, you need to AVOID adding any refined sugar or harmful artificial sweeteners. What I do instead is use either a very small touch of organic maple syrup or a half packet of natural stevia to just lightly sweeten my coffee. If you like your coffee black with no sweetener at all, that's the healthiest way.
If you're getting your coffee at a coffee shop, make sure to avoid all of those fancy specialty coffees (lattes, frappuccinos, etc) as they are almost ALWAYS loaded with extra sugars or artificial sweeteners. Some of those fancy coffee drinks at Starbucks or other coffee shops can have 300-400 calories in just one coffee! Definitely not good for your body.
2. You also need to AVOID any of those crappy artificial creamers (liquid or powder), which are usually made with corn syrup solids and hydrogenated oils (harmful trans fats). Instead, use a little bit of REAL cream (organic grass-fed if you can find it).
Or, better yet, what I've been using for a while now is coconut milk/cream as a much healthier creamer alternative. I get this by buying cans of organic coconut milk, and then after opening the can (shake the can well before opening), I store the coconut milk in the fridge in a container. Note that the cans of coconut milk are much creamier and better as a coffee creamer than those cartons of "coconut milk drink" which are just watered down coconut milk.
The thick creamy coconut milk is the healthiest option for coffee creamer because it's loaded with super healthysaturated fats called medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which boost your immune system and your metabolism! Plus, coconut milk in coffee is just plain delicious! It's the best healthy creamer option by far.
3. If you want to load your coffee up with more healthy antioxidants and good taste, consider trying some added cinnamon to your coffee (cinnamon can help control blood sugar and has many other health benefits). It's also really tasty in coffee!
I also sometimes like to add a teaspoon of organic cocoa powder (non-sweetened) to my coffee to make my own sort of mocha coffee (but without the loads of sugar in a typical mocha you'd get at the coffee shop). The added cocoa powder also gives you great taste and a good dose of extra healthy antioxidants (and cocoa is also known for helping to lower blood pressure!)
I personally only drink coffee about 3-4 times per week, because I'm sensitive to caffeine and don't want to get addicted to caffeine like some people are. I see people that drink 3-4 cups per day that get a massive headache if they don't have their daily coffee due to caffeine withdrawal. I choose to avoid this addiction by only drinking it about 3-4 times a week, and I drink various teas most other days, which are much lower in caffeine.
But despite the caffeine content, there is loads of data that show health benefits to coffee. Make sure to read this article about the unique compounds in coffee that can improve your health and reduce your risk of disease.
Jan said...Almost makes me wanna drink coffe the way you describe it with the coconut milk...Would be far better than coke....
Erin Maureen said...Never thought about adding coconut milk. Sounds way better than my watered down skim...
Bongo said...No one is taking my coffee and artificial sweetener from me..LOLOL..As always...XOXOXOXO
forjenssake said...Interesting I will have to try this once I replace my coffeemaker. I have been meaning to change to coconut oil for cooking too.
Cinnamon is great for helping to stabilize blood sugar but, it also increases appetite. Something people with blood sugar/insulin issues need to be aware of and keep track of.
When I was on my calorie restricted diet I drank my coffee black, sugar and creamer definitely is a coffee drinkers downfall.
Cinnamon is great for helping to stabilize blood sugar but, it also increases appetite. Something people with blood sugar/insulin issues need to be aware of and keep track of.
When I was on my calorie restricted diet I drank my coffee black, sugar and creamer definitely is a coffee drinkers downfall.
Roy Durham said...more coffee, as with all foods moderation is the best way to stay healthy. i drink mine black. god bless
