Coffee Suggestions
RescueMom59
Posts: 20
I need help making my morning coffee more calorie friendly I decided to measure the amount of creamer I've been using, instead of assuming the amount, and I was shocked to see I was actually using double what I thought. I use the sugar-free vanilla creamer because I can't handle a bunch of sugar in the morning, and don't like the taste of black or unsweetened coffee (yes, I've tried many times). I drink several cups, and I really love it, so I'm trying to find ways to flavor it, or make it healthier overall because I definitely have no plans to give it up. I'm not a fan of skim milk, but maybe if I do a latte type drink? I do have an espresso machine so any ideas are welcomed! Thank you!
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Replies
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I've never tried it IN my coffee but what about the almond milk? you can buy it unsweetened.0
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If you use a drip coffee maker with grounds - i used to add some cinnamon to the coffee grounds before I brewed it. It adds a really lovely flavor to the coffee. Then I would just put in some skim milk. Other options I've tried include a little vanilla extract or a little almond extract.
I don't do sweet coffee, I just have a cup with 2 TBSP of half and half and I"m done. But I usually only have 1 a day, so it's easier to manage.
Meredith - My coworker really likes unsweetened vanilla almond milk in hers. I haven't tried it yet!0 -
Give a latte a try. If you froth up the milk, skim (or 1 or 2%) don't taste watery. It tastes creamy. You can get frothers pretty cheap most places. Some frothed milk with some sugar-free vanilla syrup in the coffee?0
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Try skim milk mixed with a bit of half & half. Somehow i find this makes it a bit creamier than using even whole milk... Over time, gradually cut back on the amount of half & half...
You could also try sugar-free vanilla flavor syrup... I generally hate the idea of chemical sweeteners, but the tiny bit I put in my coffee is all i use. I figure that's not too terrible...
You could also scan the internet for some DIY vanilla creamer recipes. If you make your own, you have more control of the content and might find you are able to make a healthier version than the one you are buying...
Good luck!0 -
I drink coffee made from flavored beans (usually vanilla or hazelnut) black with stevia. You can also buy skinny syrup made with splenda.
Unsweetened soy milk is my preference if I want a latte.0 -
A really good quality coffee shouldn't really need creamer.
You can buy flavoured coffee beans... grind them at home and add a bit of light cream. Should have some flavour to it that way. Another thing that you can do for flavour (depending on the flavouring you like in your coffee) is put some cinnamon or vanilla in the beans just before you turn the coffee maker on. I've found putting a vanilla bean or two in the can of coffee helps give it a bit of flavour as well. You can buy flavoured Splenda too (vanilla and hazelnut I believe). You can also buy sugar free coffee flavour syrups... a bit of that with a bit of cream or higher fat milk and you're good to go.
I personally don't like almond milk in my coffee unless it's flavoured almond milk I make at home.0 -
Great suggestions! Thank you guys0
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I use either unsweetened soy milk, light soy milk, almond milk, or a coconut/almond blend and then sweeten with 1/4 tsp honey or agave nectar and the rest splenda. I also put a bit of cinnamon or cocoa powder in the coffee grounds to flavor the cup.0
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Adding anything other than half and half is just a waste of time.0
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I'm not a big fan of flavored creamers because I think they taste overly fake-y sweet, but I do like flavored coffee. You could either buy flavored or try adding a little extract (almond or vanilla are my favorite) or cinnamon sticks to the grounds. Lattes are going to be mostly milk, so if you choose to go that route, you'll be adding not only calories, but carbs, protein and some fat (depending on fat level of the milk) as well. But I love lattes, so I won't judge
ETA: LOL a lot of us have the same ideas. Great minds think alike!
Has anyone ever tried adding fruit to their grounds? I'm too chicken to try, but I really like raspberry and blueberry flavored coffee.0 -
Give a latte a try. If you froth up the milk, skim (or 1 or 2%) don't taste watery. It tastes creamy. You can get frothers pretty cheap most places. Some frothed milk with some sugar-free vanilla syrup in the coffee?
Plus you get your dairy!0 -
Black, no sugar = 5 calories. Taper down gradually until you get there.0
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I used to ALWAYS add a vanilla flavored cream to my coffee. But, I discovered Sugar-free French Vanilla coffee flavoring syrup. It is calorie-free and fat-free and sugar-free. I add just about a teaspoon to my coffee and it tastes lovely. Still dark in color but a good flavor. In the summertime I make coffee ice cubes and make iced coffee in the morning with my flavoring. There is also sugar-free carmel flavoring also. I get a bottle for about $3 at Target.0
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I find the higher the quality coffee, the less doctoring it needs! We get really fresh, delicious coffee beans from our local coffee shop, roasted just a few miles away. It is so good, I don't need cream or sugar! But, when I get bad coffee (like free work coffee), it needs a good dollop of cream to make it drinkable.0
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coconut milk or stevia+unsweetened almond milk0
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I slowly weaned myself away from the high calorie stuff over the course of a year.
I used to drink it with a ridiculous amount of cream and sugar... started measuring it at triple triple, went down to a double double, switched to milk instead of cream, reduced the milk, reduced the sugar... now I drink it black with one sugar.
It still tastes good with lots of cream and sugar, but I can enjoy it black now whereas I couldn't before.0 -
Stevia sweetener has no calories. I buy squirt bottles at Walmart. This stuff is natural and not carcinogenic. I don't like the little packages of powder because they end up being too sweet for me. As to creamers, how you spend your calories is your choice. I can't do milk, so I've not been enthusiastic about that even though I know there are non-dairy alternatives.0
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Stevia sweetener is Certainly the best it is so sweet and have no calories in it0
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These are all good suggestions. My suggestion is to figure out the calories in your morning coffee and just do a bit more exercising to compensate. Coffee isn't just a drink, it's a ritual and it sets the tone for the rest of the day. There are SO many things we have to give up or modify to improve our diet and get healthier. But if you enjoy your morning coffee as much as I do, I wouldn't change a thing.0
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I'll only drink it black. There are so few calories it's not even worth the trouble to log.0
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I drink coffee all day long so I'm glad my coffee does not have a lot of calories! I use Sweet N Low which has 0 calories and then I use a 1/2 teaspoon of powdered creamer which is 5 calories. So only 5 calories a cup! Not too shabby!0
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I used to be a barista at Seattle's Best Coffee. If you warm up your creamer in the mug before pouring in the coffee, it makes a little more flavorful. That being said, you might not mind skim milk or 1%. Also, they sell cartons of fat free half and half, that is thicker than skim milk so it has that effect of being more like cream. I have to say, I love almond milk, but I hate it in coffee. It's just a weird combination of flavors to me. Also, if you have Marshalls, Home Goods or a similar place near you, a lot of those places sell sugar free flavored syrups similar to the ones at Starbucks but if you only use one or two pumps it's not too sweet, just a little added flavor. Also, you could probably look online (maybe Amazon) for some natural flavoring/syrups. Lastly, if you're a chocolate lover like me, you could get unsweetened (or sweetened) cocoa powder and mix a little of that in. Unsweetened won't make your coffee sweeter, since you said you don't need the sugary taste in the morning, just give it a hint of cocoa.
Hope this helps!0 -
I just heard this tip yesterday and I thought it sounded gross but I decided to try it anyway to see if it worked. Someone posted putting a few grains of SALT in your coffee. Sounds awful right? But it takes the bitterness away and therefore you don't need as much sweetener.
I tried it for the first time today. I normally like 6 tsp of sugar in my coffee. Today I put the salt in my mug and I only needed TWO tsp and it tasted fine! I couldn't believe it because I've never been successful at trying to taper down the sugar before. I didn't taste the salt at all but the coffee wasn't bitter and really and truely didn't need more sugar. I'm so thrilled someone posted that on one of the forums yesterday!0 -
These are all good suggestions. My suggestion is to figure out the calories in your morning coffee and just do a bit more exercising to compensate. Coffee isn't just a drink, it's a ritual and it sets the tone for the rest of the day. There are SO many things we have to give up or modify to improve our diet and get healthier. But if you enjoy your morning coffee as much as I do, I wouldn't change a thing.
You are so right. It is a ritual, and something I love. It's quiet in the mornings when I make my coffee and I love drinking it while I watch the dogs play in the yard.0 -
I've never tried it IN my coffee but what about the almond milk? you can buy it unsweetened.
I tried the unsweetened almond milk one morning when I realized I was out of creamer. It was TERRIBLE. I religiously drink a cup of coffee every morning. The morning of the "Almond Milk Incident," I was forced to pour out the whole thing. It was a travesty. You have been warned...0 -
I am a hardcore coffee addict.
I use a Keurig coffemaker and Seattles Best #5 and make it STRONG.
But, i like it sweet and light.
My coffee cup holds prolly 20 oz. and the top 3/4 cup of liquid is 2% milk.
To sweeten I use sweet and low, because it's my personal preference.
I don't have a fancy milk frother or anything but have found that if I stick the milk in the microwave until it bubbles up to the top of a 2c measuring cup, it tastes more like a store bought latte. I just don't usually take the time.
Rather than deny myself this one indulgence, I simply add it in every day and adjust my calorie intake elsewhere.
It's not cheap on calories, but to me, it is worth it.0 -
Adding anything other than half and half is just a waste of time.
Although if you like the sugary stuff, try hazelnut coffee or that cinnamon in the grounds thing which I've never tried but sounds really good! Then add cream.0 -
i usually drink my coffee black, no milk, no sugar BUT when i'm feeling naughtyyy i'll have it with light soy milk. the light one tastes less like soy (alpro brand) and even when putting a LOT it'll only be about, say, 20 calories. add stevia for added sweetness.0
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fat free half and half0
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Lattes have alot more calories than youd think. A latte is just coffee brewed with milk instead of water, so youve got calories without adding any sugar or anything else! Try putting cinnamon in with your coffee grounds, it adds some sweetness, and it's also good for you! I don't remember for the life of me but I read an article a while ago on the health benefits of having cinnamon in the morning.0
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