We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Sugar alternatives?

CaityP27
CaityP27 Posts: 38 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hey all,
Ive been trying to eat healthier and for the most part, doing okay. I have one major vice though and that's sugars. I have raw cane sugar in my coffee every morning, but the issue is I like my coffee really sweet. I use a low fat lactose free milk. I don't add sugar to anything else, and try to stick to mostly whole or home made foods so I know what's in it. What are some healthier alternatives for my morning coffee?

Also like to add, strong family history of diabetes and pre-diabetic myself so an issue I'd like to get on top of.
Thanks!
Tagged:

Answers

  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,477 Member
    edited March 2
    I don't see a problem with sugar in a coffee every morning if your keeping it to a minimal everywhere else and the type of milk you use isn't going to matter or using cane sugar over regular. Also if some of your family members have diabetes it's still going to actually matter what your A1C is so maybe get a blood panel, that way you don't have to guess.
  • SafariGalNYC
    SafariGalNYC Posts: 1,824 Member
    edited March 2
    I used to have sweetener in my coffee - I started drinking it black and never went back. After a few days of drinking it naked … you may join us on the dark side. Try it.. ;)

    If that’s too much- what about some vanilla and cinnamon? Or pumpkin spice?

  • four_bumblebees
    four_bumblebees Posts: 32 Member
    Good suggestions from everyone else. In my experience though the absolute best alternative to sugar has been high protein. I thought I had a raging sugar addiction for years. I could never control it. I finally started eating a LOT more protein, and some more vegetables, and the desire for sugar almost entirely disappeared. I've been happily drinking coffee black or with just some milk since then and I don't miss sugar.
  • kajazia
    kajazia Posts: 1 Member
    Stevia is an alternative to sugar
  • CaityP27
    CaityP27 Posts: 38 Member
    SafariGalNYC wrote: »
    I used to have sweetener in my coffee - I started drinking it black and never went back. After a few days of drinking it naked … you may join us on the dark side. Try it.. ;)

    If that’s too much- what about some vanilla and cinnamon? Or pumpkin spice?

    I'm not a fan of straight coffee haha. I definitely need some sweetness in it. I do love a vanilla latte type thing and I haven't tried that without sugar so I may give it a go.
  • CaityP27
    CaityP27 Posts: 38 Member
    @four_bumblebees I have noticed since adding more protein and less processed foods I haven't craved sugar as much. I still get a hankering for Ice and Chocolate but suspect my iron is low again. I still don't hit my protein goal most days though.

    @neanderthin bloods next week to check everything again. Chronic iron deficient anaemia so I get bloods every 6 months or so. Yeah I've done a lot better with being mindful of sugars everywhere else, so I suppose the one coffee I have in the morning shouldn't make that much of an impact.
  • Corina1143
    Corina1143 Posts: 4,287 Member

    When I want a fancy coffee, I sometimes use a frother. Sometimes I sprinkle a little cinnamon or chocolate on the froth. Sometimes cold coffee, ice and milk in the blender until almost the consistency of a milkshake. So fancy I forget about sugar. Just a thought.

  • Sunrise0123
    Sunrise0123 Posts: 148 Member

    Maybe you could slowly cut down on the amount of sugar.

  • funinthej
    funinthej Posts: 1 Member
  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 9,109 Member
    edited March 6

    I often sprinkle my coffee and frothed milk with cinnamon. Your taste buds perceive cinnamon to be sweet. Vietnamese or Saigon cinnamon is my favorite because it’s stronger than regular cinnamon. (It can also potentially act as a blood thinner for some, so caution if you’re using Coumadin or similar).

    I’m overseas right now, and loving these giant bowls of coffee topped with a mountain of froth. The servers sprinkle cocoa on top. It’s amazing. Next level coffee. I’m going to start doing that at home, too.

    There’s also some great sugar free sweeteners. I was a fan of the Jordan’s Skinny Syrups, which come in a myriad of flavors.

    I’ve since given up sugar free products to help with inflammation, on the advice of my dietician. I was relying on them, and using way more than I thought, but if you just want something for your coffee and don’t go overboard like I did, they’re tasty.

  • JessicaBorneman5699
    JessicaBorneman5699 Posts: 10 Member

    I have a sweet tooth and I decided to give up added sugar for Lent. I still eat fruit, so that helps with the sweet cravings. I quit putting sugar in my coffee two years ago. At first it was very bitter. I read to try putting a pinch of salt in to mellow it out. I did that for a couple of weeks, but then got to where I don't need it. Drinking premium coffee also helps.

  • klg6994
    klg6994 Posts: 1 Member

    I personally like to use Xylitol sweetener. It’s good for anti-aging and for teeth too - or so I’ve read.

  • LisaKayVine
    LisaKayVine Posts: 3 Member

    You might start experimenting with the types of coffee you are drinking and find one that is naturally smooth and has more of a natural sweetness (and a darker more chocolate like flavor), if you go to a coffee shop or store with lots of bean varieties you might try tasting some different types. Look for an Ethiopian that is a medium/dark roast that mentions sweetness.

    Then along with that start cutting back on the amount of sugar you use in small fragments - like 1/8 teaspoon per week until you can cut it back to the minimum or all the way.

    Just an idea!! My local coffee shop has this one Ethiopian variety they rotate through every few weeks that is naturally sweet. They don't sell beans so I can't get it at home but I always ask.

  • Hobartlemagne
    Hobartlemagne Posts: 617 Member

    When I gave up cream and sugar in coffee, I sought out and learned about better coffees.

    There's a whole world of natural taste varieties out there, just get away from "commodity coffee" and look into "specialty coffee"

    Im sorry, but this is more expensive

  • AmunahSki
    AmunahSki Posts: 254 Member

    I used to take one sugar in my coffee: I decided to give it up, and went cold turkey (rather than reducing slowly, or using a sweetener). My morning coffee was ruined for a LONG time.

    After the first two weeks it became just about bearable, so I stuck with it. Towards the end of the first month, someone accidentally gave me a coffee with a sugar in it… and it was disgustingly sweet. So I then knew I couldn’t go back to having sugar, but I was still unhappy with how it tasted without. I think it took the best part of 3 months for drinks to taste ‘normal’ to me again.

    The BEST part is not having to calculate the ‘right’ amount of sugar according to the cup size, faffing about at the counter with sachets and half-sachets and stirrers (or lack of) when you get a takeout - you can just pick it up and go!

  • CaityP27
    CaityP27 Posts: 38 Member

    Thank you everyone!

    I'm still drinking it ridiculously sweet(like 27g a serve sweet). I don't generally have coffee store/Cafe coffee. The closest I get to that these days is a dare no added sugar double espresso iced coffee, which has the nutritional info on the back.

    I think I will first try cutting it back incrementally and see how I go. I'm currently using a freeze dried instant coffee(moccona no5 medium roast), which is actually pretty good in terms of bitterness. I DO have the equipment to use beans, but it's somewhat bothersome when I'm the only coffee drinker in the house. It's definitely worth looking into to see if I can find a naturally sweeter bean though. Might also try the chocolate powder and frothed milk, make it a bit more fancy. My morning coffee while I watch the sun rise is a super important part of my morning routine. Without it, I can't seem to get motivated for the day and I'm crabby all day.

Categories