5 Coffee Habits to Help You Live Longer, Say Dietitians
There are a million and one ways to drink your coffee in the morning. Black, with cream, with sugar, with both cream and sugar, iced, hot, a cold brew with milk, or even a pumpkin spice latte. The options are endless. But how can you determine what is a healthy coffee choice and what might not be the best to drink every day?
We asked our expert dietitians about their favorite coffee habits to try on a daily basis that can help you live a longer, healthier life. Continue reading to find out what they had to say, and for more healthy coffee tips, make sure to check out Best Coffee Habits For Inflammation.
Drink it black.
One of the best ways to make your coffee healthier in the morning is by just drinking it black! For some, this may be easy, but for others, not so much. If you don't like black coffee, don't force yourself to drink it. Instead, you can find some healthier creamer alternatives.
"Plain coffee is chock-full of antioxidants that can help your body combat oxidative stress and support overall health," says our medical expert Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, author of The First Time Mom's Pregnancy Cookbook and Fueling Male Fertility. "Unfortunately, many sweeteners and coffee creamers can make this naturally healthy drink a bit less good-for-you. If you are a black coffee lover, don't mess up a good thing and drink it black."
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Go easy on the sweeteners.
It's easy to lose track of how much sugar you're putting in your coffee, especially if you're used to ordering specialty coffee drinks at a coffee shop. Over time, this sugar can add up and lead to some unwanted health issues.
"Too much sugar in your coffee every day can start to cause weight gain for some, and for others, it can build up to type-2 diabetes," says Courtney D'Angelo, MS, RD, author at Go Wellness. "It's especially not good because you're starting your day off with a spike in your blood sugar, and your body will work to sustain that throughout the day, which means you'll start craving more foods and drinks that contain an unhealthy amount of sugar."
Add protein to your coffee.
You may think it sounds strange at first, but putting protein powder in your coffee can help boost your intake of nutrients in the morning.
"Protein has many health benefits, but in particular it helps build muscle, lose fat, and provides the energy you need throughout your day," says D'Angelo. "It also helps you stay full longer so you're not reaching in the pantry for some sugary breakfast pastries. If you're substituting protein rather than unhealthy sugar and creamers for your coffee, you'll start turning around your health real quick."
Don't know which protein to buy? We Tasted 9 Protein Powders & This Was the Best
Add mushroom powder to your coffee.
If you thought protein powder in your coffee was unique, you'll be even more surprised to learn about putting mushroom powder in your morning cup of Joe!
"Mushroom powder can add an interesting flavor to your coffee, and certain varieties of mushrooms can support brain health when taken consistently," says Manaker.
Not only can they help boost brainpower, but reishi mushrooms also have been found to have anti-cancer and immune-boosting properties as well.
Don't use disposable coffee cups.
Sometimes you don't have much of an option, but if you can opt-out of using to-go cups, you may be able to avoid some harmful micro-plastics.
"Sure, using disposable coffee cups is convenient. But certain varieties can contain micro-plastics that may find their way into your coffee," says Manaker. "In turn, you end up ingesting micro-plastics, which is a factor that, over time, may have a harmful effect on your hormone balance and overall health. Stick to a traditional ceramic cup instead."
