Ah, coffee. The elixir of life. Call me a caffeine addict, but I personally can’t start my day without one. Or, well, several.
A word of advice? Like with any other coffee lover you come across, and as my husband quickly learnt, it’s best to keep clear of me before I’ve had my first steamy cup of life-giving joe upon waking up in the morning. Apart from being a grumpy, irritable mess, being denied my daily dose gives me serious caffeine withdrawals: brain fog, headache, fatigue, and even a lack of concentration.
While this may sound somewhat concerning, as anyone who’s completed health-related degrees such as online DNP programs will tell you, it’s completely normal to feel depleted when we go without the caffeine hit we’ve come to depend on to get us going.
Yes, I’ve become a little too dependent on my morning (and afternoon) mugs of brown brew, perhaps more so than I would care to admit. Caffeine not only clears my head but also gives me a quick shot of energy, returning zest for life (and will to live) to my sleepy self. It also helps me focus on my daily tasks and tick down my to-do list, transforming me into the most productive, efficient worker I can be.
But for all the wonderful things coffee does for us, is it really all that healthy? The good news is that there are healthier coffee options, and by making the right beverage choices, we can minimize the ill effects of excessive doses of this addictive, yet socially acceptable, stimulant.
Here’s our guide to some of the healthiest coffee options out there.
Antioxidant Rich: Maximizing Your Coffee’s Nutrient Value
If you’re like me and looking for another excuse to justify why you need that extra almond latte to get through the day, you’ll be delighted to learn that coffee actually does contain a specific, nutritious element: antioxidants. Yes, an average cup of coffee contains as many as 550 grams of anti-inflammatory, chronic-disease-reducing antioxidants.
But what are antioxidants, exactly? And why are they good for us?
Essentially, antioxidants are compounds that help protect us from the damage that can be caused by harmful ‘free radicals’: atoms that attack molecules in our bodies, such as our proteins or DNA. The fact that our humble cup of coffee contains antioxidants means that drinking it can help our bodies fight these attacks and save us from experiencing what’s known as ‘oxidative stress’; in turn, decreasing our risk of developing chronic diseases.
If we want to get the most antioxidant value out of our coffee, which one should we be reaching for, then?
Whether you’re tempted by Arabica or Robusta beans, the key is in the roasting: choose a light roast for optimal antioxidant content. Bad news if you’re a cold brew lover, however: the heat applied during the making of a hot-brewed coffee means that more antioxidants are extracted, making a steaming hot cup the healthier choice.
Black or White: Understanding Milky Coffee Types
We might be stating the obvious here, but if your coffee contains mountains of whipped cream, sweet and condensed milk, and full-fat ice cream, it’s not going to be the healthiest.
If you’re looking for a lighter (but still palatable) option, opt instead to add a milk alternative to your latte or cappuccino, such as almond ‘mylk’, for example, or oat.
Better yet, if you can handle the bitter taste, a black coffee (like an iced americano) is the ultimate calorie-saving option. Just ask a bodybuilder or bikini competitor what their caffeinated beverage of choice is: likely, it won’t be milky or contain calorie-laden cream, but instead, a black coffee, without sugar.
Coffee Alternatives: Finding Options that Work for You
Finally, if you’re ready to ditch coffee altogether, you’ll be pleased to know there are some options out there for you (although they probably won’t give you the same caffeine hit).
One popular coffee alternative you could consider (and that all the ‘pilates girlies’ are raving about lately) is the viral matcha latte. Perhaps even consider an itchigo (strawberry matcha) for a fun, sweet spin on the original.
Other alternatives? You could look at chicory root or rooibos tea.
But to be frank, if it’s the taste of a real latte you’re hankering for, these options probably won’t cut it. If that’s the case for you, it’s probably best to just enjoy your cup or two a day and learn to moderate your intake.
