1200 calories and 170 grams of sugar! While brewing your coffee at home may spare your pockets some expense, what you add to your cup could weigh heavily on your health.
Unlike milk or half-and-half, most store-bought creamers are not dairy products. Most creamers are made from water, loads of sugar, and palm oil, which could negatively affect your cholesterol.
Creamers can also contain additives like carrageenan and artificial flavoring to alter the taste and texture. Just adding 3 tablespoons of creamer, without table sugar, can add 15 grams of sugar to your daily intake with each cup. Coffee syrups are another artificially flavored, sugary option that coffee drinkers love. Just 4 pumps of syrup amount to 23 grams of sugar!
Consuming sugar in healthy quantities doesn’t pose a risk to your health. However, Americans are consuming twice as much.
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According to the American Heart Association, Americans eat 77 grams of sugar on average which is far more than the recommended amounts of 36 and 25 grams for men and women respectively. A diet high in sugar increases your risk for obesity, diabetes, and other comorbidities.
RELATED: Your Take-Out Coffee Cup May Shed Trillions of Plastic ‘Nanoparticles’
Clean up your coffee cup with natural flavors
Don’t toss out your coffee cup just yet! You can still enjoy the flavor and benefits of your favorite morning brew by adding natural flavors. Natural flavors don’t muddle the benefits of coffee with sugar and extra calories. If you like savory flavors, try adding cinnamon or cardamom. Both of these spices have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers. Recent studies have shown that a compound in cardamom can be used to fight triple-negative breast cancer, which is mostly diagnosed in Black women.
If spice is not your thing, try adding cocoa powder. Cocoa powder has been shown to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and improve brain function. Adding mint can give your coffee a refreshing taste while providing you with relief from digestive problems and bad coffee breath. Rather than using coffee syrups, try adding pure vanilla, almond, or hazelnut extract for a boost of flavor without all of the unhealthy additives and calories.
Whether you want to shed some pounds or lower your risks for health conditions, drinking clean can make a positive impact on your health. Start your day by filling your coffee cup with ingredients that your body loves and soon – you’ll love them, too!
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Dr. Candace McMillon-Dantley is on a mission to inspire and educate women to health. She is the creator of The Doc Knows, a health and wellness site for women and author of “Woman, Take Off Your Cape”. When she’s not health writing, she is health motivating and educating through presentations on healthy nutrition, self-care, and conditions of the body. Her experiences as a business owner, chiropractor, wife and mom of two resonate with all women. Connect with Dr. Candace on Instagram @drcandace.
