Coffee Can Be Healthy If You Want It To

By Rubina Kapil on July 11, 2013

I’ll start with a confession: I am a coffee addict. Without my morning cup of coffee, made with just the right amount of cream and sugar, I can guarantee I will have a migraine and be ready to bite your head off. That being said, I believe I have tried my fair share of coffee varieties and gained a good knowledge base.
Far too many times have I waited in line at the campus library or Starbucks Cafe and watched people in front of me complain that they have a caffeine problem and can’t believe how unhealthy it is, and then they go order the most frivolous drink with added flavors and whipped cream. Of course your drink is not healthy. But please, “caffeine addicts,” stop giving the rest of us a bad name; if you do it right, you can have your daily dose of caffeine and maintain a healthy diet.

A few tips for those trying to do it the healthy way:

Keep It Simple
When it comes to caffeine, nothing can be more healthy than the most simple option: coffee. A small coffee with cream and sugar provides the caffeine and keeps away the unnecessary fat. According to www.starbucks.com, for example, a tall (small size) brewed coffee has 5 calories and 0 grams of fat without the cream and sugar. Nothing gets better than that.

Say No To Whip
If you are not one to get coffee and instead prefer the more flavorful varieties, this tip is your best option. Whipped cream on your drink can add up to 100 calories and 11 grams of fat, according to www.cariboucoffee.com. Although it does taste good, skipping the whip can easily take your morning beverage from 200 to 100 calories.

Use Non-Fat Milk
This tip is one that is between the two listed above. You have a bit more freedom in beverage choices than brewed coffee, but can still save yourself some fat. Using non-fat, or skim, milk can save you up to 35 calories and 5 grams of fat, according to www.cariboucoffee.com. In fact, I would recommend that even the simple coffee drinkers take advantage of this tip as well–it tastes the same with added benefits, so why not?

Another way to make your favorite drinks as healthy as possible  is to research the company’s nutrient information. Websites such as www.starbucks.com/menu/nutrition/20-under-200 provide calorie and fat information for popular beverages. Most college campuses also offer nutrition details for beverages (as well as food items) online. With just a little more effort, you can keep taking the caffeine without taking the calories.

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