How Do You Drink Your Coffee?

PepperWorm

I'm looking for ways to drink my coffee without breaking the caloric bank. (I mean, I want most of my calories going into my food, not my coffee, y'know?) Trying to avoid buying coffee creamer because of the insane amount of ingredients in it. I never think 2 tablespoons are enough either. I'd rather avoid cane sugar/fake sugar as well.

This morning, someone here turned me on to pumpkin pie spice-ing (allspice, cinnamon, ginger and clove) with some agave syrup. That brings the grand total to 60 whole calories for my cup. Not counting alittle of my half cup skim milk to it as well for that extra creaminess. It was actually pretty tasty!

So...what creative ways do you drink YOUR coffee? And don't say black. I'm sorry, but I like flavor in my coffee!!

laurenc42

I was going to say black. But i guess I won't. I drink way too much coffee. Have completely come to like it black. I probably drink a pot a day.

trured72

Hi! I drink my 2 1/2-3 cups with 1 1/2 Tbsp of any flavored creamer with half a packet of Splenda. An depending on the flavor of the creamer I skip the Splenda altogether.

chezjuan

What about a flavored coffee? Like the brews with hazelnut or pumpkin spice infused in the beans. Those don't seem to have many more calories than regular, and then you can just add a little skim milk?

band1998

I suffer from a dislike of black coffee as well. I'm a nursing mother, so I refuse to put splenda or any other sugar substitute in. So far, I just put 2 tablespoons of coffee creamer and 2 teaspoons of sugar. I like the idea of pumpkin pie spice. How many calories are in the agave, because I heard that it isn't any different from regular sugar? I would like to see some more suggestions, because I only have 2 more months of nursing my baby and then I really have to watch my calories=-)

pmad37

I have made myself tolerate my coffee black as a general rule. But while on a trip this weekend I indulged in a cup with a pack of Stevia, some half & half, and a few dashes of nutmeg....yummy

AZKristi

When I joined MFP I used French Vanilla Coffeemate. After a few months of seeing how many calories I was drinking, I replaced that with Half and Half. Over the next year I slowly reduced the amount I was using. I recently replaced Half and Half with Almond Milk which has way fewer calories and no saturated fats.

PepperWorm

How many calories are in the agave, because I heard that it isn't any different from regular sugar?

All of my calories came from the agave. Agave has a different taste from cane sugar and I think it's a little better in comparison. Maybe I'm wrong or biased. I didn't count any calories from the spices either...I only did dashes of each and I wasn't gonna try to measure that nor do I feel I need to.

I also loved the idea of buying the infused coffees...only I wish they weren't so expensive! Might still try it anyway.

EmmaKarney

Just with a little skimmed milk or sometimes a cappuccino, no sugar.

marulm

With almond milk. I sometimes drink coffee hot, so I will warm the almond milk slightly before adding the coffee, but most days I brew a strong pot and refrigerate in mason jars for iced coffee. Every morning I drink a large glass of water first, then have my iced coffee, almond milk and stevia, about 2/3 coffee and 1/3 almond milk. One whole cup of almond milk is only 30 calories.

SmartAlec03211988

Black, no sugar.

jrknotts

Black, no sugar. Has to be good coffee though.

PepperWorm

Black, no sugar.

This is why we can't have nice things.

AllonsYtotheTardis

cappucino, mostly.

jkal1979

I was going to say black. But i guess I won't. I drink way too much coffee. Have completely come to like it black. I probably drink a pot a day.

Same here, I've been drinking it that way for years.

PepperWorm

With almond milk. I sometimes drink coffee hot, so I will warm the almond milk slightly before adding the coffee, but most days I brew a strong pot and refrigerate in mason jars for iced coffee. Every morning I drink a large glass of water first, then have my iced coffee, almond milk and stevia, about 2/3 coffee and 1/3 almond milk. One whole cup of almond milk is only 30 calories.

How freakin cool! I take care of my dad and he brews a whole pot of coffee in the morning, but he never drinks it all. I always resent having to pour half a pot down the drain 'cuz he won't drink anything but fresh. I should just cool it and save it (maybe in a pitcher?)

I never knew almond milk was so low in calories either. May have to check it out!

cmeade20

Also black, unless its super strong or really *kitten* coffee then I throw a little skim in there

Martucha123

black with seetener or
milk and vanilla protein powder makes nice fake vanilla latte. I make mine with 100ml milk and 10g protein powder, it's 90 kcal and12 g protein

singlefemalelawyer

I used to always drink my coffee with milk but found I was always going over on my sugar for the day. So I weened myself off and started using unsweetened almond milk - different, but I have gotten used to the taste. It's not that bad (I'm drinking it right now hehe)!

When I make myself an espresso latte at home with almond milk, I will usually add a tiny bit of honey as it tastes a bit harsher using the steamer for some reason.

Coffee drinkers unite!

tedrickp

Hot, black and on the table.

SweetestLibby

hot with a splash of skim milk. I've been switching to almond milk. about a tablespoon of it. I use truvia or stevia instead of sugar when I want it sweet but even that is rare.

lisahewitt22

I've just started drinking green tea (which I have plain) but when I did have coffee I would put a teaspoon of sugar with some skim milk.

Meecro128

With demerara sugar, a pinch of cinnamon and a drop of vanilla extract. No milk normally.

redrumxtina

I drink mine decaf with splenda and liquid creamer= not fattening at all.

PepperWorm

I've just started drinking green tea (which I have plain) but when I did have coffee I would put a teaspoon of sugar with some skim milk.

I like green tea, too. I just *prefer* coffee in the morning. Green tea is lovely for all-day hydration though! Go you!

PepperWorm

With demerara sugar, a pinch of cinnamon and a drop of vanilla extract. No milk normally.

....What is Demerara??

Deipneus

I add one tablespoon of honey, and one tablespoon of ground cocoa. No sugar added. Just ground cocoa.

bumblebums

I'm looking for ways to drink my coffee without breaking the caloric bank. (I mean, I want most of my calories going into my food, not my coffee, y'know?) Trying to avoid buying coffee creamer because of the insane amount of ingredients in it. I never think 2 tablespoons are enough either. I'd rather avoid cane sugar/fake sugar as well.

This morning, someone here turned me on to pumpkin pie spice-ing (allspice, cinnamon, ginger and clove) with some agave syrup. That brings the grand total to 60 whole calories for my cup. Not counting alittle of my half cup skim milk to it as well for that extra creaminess. It was actually pretty tasty!

So...what creative ways do you drink YOUR coffee? And don't say black. I'm sorry, but I like flavor in my coffee!!

Er.... Buy better coffee and learn how to brew it, and I guarantee you it will have flavor. I drink mine black.

Perhaps I should have just posted this.

http://en.ilovecoffee.jp/posts/view/71

PrettyPearl88

I'm a caffeine addict and insist on drinking 1-2 cups of coffee daily lol! I've been able to get my cup of coffee down to as little as about 45 calories for a large mug. The only thing I've found that helps reduce the calories of a cup of coffee is to get yourself used to putting VERY LITTLE in your coffee. I use real sugar (I use brown), but I'll limit my sugar to 1-2 teaspoons tops per mug. I usually use either 2 tablespoons of half and half milk creamer or 1/4 cup real milk (usually skim, but sometimes 2% or whole). Sometimes I use flavored creamers too and those are fun hehe! Honestly though, the best way is to get yourself used to using only a tiny bit of sugar and creamer.

OP, if you like the taste of agave, then stick with that but just try to wean yourself down to only a little bit. With your actual brewed coffee, to make it taste better, I'd recommend making it with a french press or any other method that keeps a lot of the beans' natural flavor in the coffee. French-pressed is the only way I've tried where I can enjoy my coffee black. As far as flavors go, you could try flavored coffee (which wil be about the same calories as regular coffee I believe) or you could try flavored sweetener syrups, like the syrups they have at Starbucks. I worked as a Starbucks barista throughout college and I can tell you that most of their syrups are only about 20 calories for one pump, which is equivalent to about 2 tablespoons I believe. And you may also want to try heating up or steaming a little bit of real milk into your coffee to make it a cafe misto, it'll make it taste more like a latte for only like 20-30 calories if you use skim milk or almond milk or something low-calorie like that.

Also, I second adding a tablespoon (or 1/2 tablespoon) of ground cocoa to your coffee! I treat myself to that sometimes! YUM!!!

Lalasharni

I use hazlenut milk and cinnamon. works around 45 cals per large cup. My husband hates it this way, but I love the nuttiness and the health benefits of nut milks are legendary!
If you really want a treat, a small squirt of aerosol low fat cream on top (27 cals) does it for me!

ficklesoul

Most days I have mine black without sugar. Black coffee are the best!

Occasionally when I want something sweet, I would add some milk(skim or soy milk) and then throw in some sugar free(usually in hazelnut or french vanilla) flavoured syrup and some ice. If I have some home made coffee jelly, I'll throw in a bit of that too. Whenever I'm craving for mocha "frap" I just add some coffee into my protein smoothie. mMMMm coffeeee.