As we all know, coffee is more than just a delicious, energizing drink—it’s a fact of life. It helps us power through work days, long car rides, and chaotic soccer practices. Forgoing our daily coffee is simply not an option.
But for a lot of us, taking in all that caffeine can add up in terms of calories and fat
Are you a coffee lover who's looking to cut down on calories and fat?
If so, you're in luck—there are actually plenty of simple ways to trim some fat and calories from your morning cup of java, without sacrificing flavor.
(And no, one of them isn’t “start drinking it black!”)
Ready? Here are a few tips to help you reduce the calorie and fat content of your coffee without skimping on taste or resorting to artificial sweeteners.
1. Use extra creamy almond milk in place of your normal milk or creamer.
You thought I was going to suggest that you switch to skim milk, right? Well, yeah, non-fat milk is great too, but extra creamy almond milk (like the kind Silk makes) provides a much better and—you guessed it—creamier texture, in my opinion.
This simple swap can save you a ton of calories and fat, while still giving you that creamy texture and taste you crave in your coffee.
2. Use natural honey in place of sugar.
Not only is honey a healthier option, but it can also give your coffee a uniquely delicious spin that you're sure to love. (Hence why you see so many "Honey Lattes" available at artisan coffee shops)
Plus, if you use locally-made honey, you'll be supporting your community and potentially helping with your allergies at the same time. Win, win!
3. Use a non-dairy creamer with real sugar (or an unsweetened creamer).
I'll be honest, a lot of us coffee lovers are split on this one—If you don't mind using non-dairy creamers, these can be a great way to add creaminess to your coffee without all the calories and fat. Simply choose one of the 300 flavors available in the Target fridge and enjoy!
On the other hand, if the very idea of using a non-dairy creamer automatically turns your stomach, you may want to skip this one.
4. Use pure, minimally-processed cocoa powder in place of chocolate syrup.
This one is definitely a bit more of an alternative option as not everyone uses chocolate syrup in their coffee—plus, some people can't stand unsweetened cocoa, and will accordingly hate this suggestion.
But if you like the taste of cocoa powder and are willing to give it a try, this can be a great way to add some sweetness and flavor to your coffee without resorting to chocolate syrup or other sugary additives.
Just be sure to use minimally processed cocoa powder for the healthiest option. You can also try using half chocolate syrup and half cocoa powder—my personal favorite method—so you can get some of the sweetness and flavor from the chocolate syrup, but still cut a good amount of extra calories and fat.
5. If you haven't, give Stevia a chance.
I'm assuming a lot of you have already tried Stevia (or have at least heard of it) as a sugar-free sweetener. If you haven't, it's basically an all-natural plant extract that has no calories or other negative effects.
That's right—Stevia is natural. Many people incorrectly lump it together with things like sucralose and aspartame, which are completely cooked up in a lab—I personally envision one that looks like something from Breaking Bad. (Coincidentally—while Breaking Bad had some fun mocking Stevia in its final episode, it's still definitely worth a try if you're looking to reduce calories and sugar in your coffee.)
6. Cut your milk/creamer with water. Seriously. Hear me out.
(Note: This works best with espresso, French Press, and AeroPress coffee, but can work with any brewed coffee.) If you're a true lover of coffee with milk or cream, it can be hard to imagine your morning cup of joe without milk. But if you're looking to cut back on calories and fat, try using water instead of some of your normal creamer.
Whether it’s ½ or even just ⅓—by diluting the milk with water, you can still enjoy some creamy taste, and enjoy a larger cup of coffee, without as many calories. After a few cups, you’ll adjust to the texture and won’t even notice the difference.
As you can see, there are several creative ways you can lighten up your coffee without sacrificing taste or flavor.
By making some simple swaps, you can enjoy more of your favorite beverage with less guilt.
Give these tips a try and see which ones work best for you!
Looking for more flavorful coffee—without increasing calories? We have so many different coffees here at Meadow Ridge Coffee, it can be hard to choose just one. Check out our collections and discover your new favorite coffee today!
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