Alternative to coffee

tyj247
tyj247 Posts: 18
in Food and Nutrition
So, in looking at my food diary, I've realized that I use up a lot of calories with coffee. Mind you, not the coffee itself, but the add-ons (especially sugar) are killing me. I like my coffee very light and I add cream and sugar to get rid of the bitter taste, which I really kind of hate.

Does anyone have any suggestions on a healthier alternative to coffee or a way to make my coffee healthier (besides drinking it black, that I just cannot do). I do notice a definite difference in my ability to concentrate when I don't drink coffee so something that's good for energy boosts would be helpful. Thanks!
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Replies

  • 76tech
    76tech Posts: 1,455 Member
    Chinese pu-erh tea has a strong flavor profile like coffee, but isn't bitter. So you can get by with a lot less cream and sugar.

    Also some roasted yerba mate might fit the bill, especially since it has about the same amount of caffeine as coffee.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    I'll probably get jumped on but my "coffee" in the morning is a can of Diet Coke. I never got into coffee for the very reason you now have an issue with it. Rather than deal with the calories, I've always just had my one Diet Coke in the morning and I'm good for the day. Besides, it's hot here most of the year and I have zero interest in a hot beverage when it's 8am and 85° outside and climbing.
  • MaggieFB1
    MaggieFB1 Posts: 1
    Do you drink tea? If not, could you acquire a taste for it? There many flavors to add interest without adding calories.
  • nwg74
    nwg74 Posts: 360 Member
    How about Green Coffee ?
  • lnguyen578
    lnguyen578 Posts: 39
    English tea or green tea! I love english tea, I add almond milk and stevia to mine. Much better than coffee!
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    Well, first you can try getting coffee that is not bitter. I don't know if you brew at home or buy it out, but places like Starbucks have a light roast (theirs is called Blonde right now). Or try flavored coffee grounds. Anyhow, the next step...if you brew at home, add about 1 tsp of cinnamon into the filter before putting the grounds in. Adds nice flavor. By adding the cinnamon I have been able to reduce the amount of sugar I put in to 1/2 tsp. I still use 2 Tbsp. of half & half. If you really like yours almost white, use skim milk instead of cream.
  • bondavbriwil
    bondavbriwil Posts: 62 Member
    I have to have coffee every morning as well. I think coffee taste horrible, like sticks and mud. lol. But i just make my coffee a little weaker to begin with and then add as little splenda and sugar free creamer liquid creamer. It still has calories but minimizes as much as I can. Other than that use 5hour energy or no carb energy drinks.

    Good luck to you
  • Alex_is_Hawks
    Alex_is_Hawks Posts: 3,499 Member
    Maybe look at at black tea or a rooibos tea. They can have a sweeter flavor profile and some are quite caffeinated for that punch.
  • AReasor
    AReasor Posts: 355 Member
    I slowly cut out the sugar. I still drink my light roast coffee with skim milk or whole milk. Now I just have sugar in my coffee as a treat. I also love the combination of eating/drinking bitter and sweet so my morning luna bar and non sugar coffee is yummy.
    :drinker:
  • JamesonsMommy
    JamesonsMommy Posts: 771 Member
    I love black coffee so i totally don't get this :( May i suggest using the chocolate soy milk and just a bit of sugar free flavored syrup :)
  • TamaraGraceS
    TamaraGraceS Posts: 273 Member
    Whats green coffee?
    How about Green Coffee ?
  • PlanetVelma
    PlanetVelma Posts: 1,223 Member
    There is no alternative to coffee!!!

    Seriously though, try some of the no-cal sweetners. Personally I like Sweet & Low or Splenda, other folks prefer Stevia or agave. I know some people use almond milk or fat free milk for their creamer.

    Currently I drink iced coffee w/ only sweetner with the occasional cup w/ sweetner & creamer.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    There is no alternative to coffee!!!

    Agreed. You're looking for a cream and sugar alternative, not a coffee alternative. So, maybe splenda and skim milk?
  • Elle_Jamaicangirl81
    Elle_Jamaicangirl81 Posts: 418 Member
    i have my coffee... i used splenda and non dairy creamer (10 cals a teaspoon)
  • supertracylynn
    supertracylynn Posts: 1,338 Member
    Have you tried adding extracts?
    I like to add a little almond extract to flavor it (about 1/8 tsp for 1 cup) and about the same vanilla extract should take out the bitterness.

    ETA:
    I also use unsweetened almond milk instead of creamer (35cals per CUP) or unsweet vanilla almond milk (40cals per CUP)
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    calorie free sweetener and low fat milk instead of cream. It's funny I put milk & sweetener in my regular cup of joe but like my espresso straight up.
  • amberpsalm23
    amberpsalm23 Posts: 2 Member
    more sleep ;)
  • imogenjade
    imogenjade Posts: 131
    have flavoured tea, low fat hot choc or force your self to have coffee, with a splash of skimmed milk with sweeteners xx
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    Coke.
  • bondavbriwil
    bondavbriwil Posts: 62 Member
    Coke.

    effective..but illegal. haha
  • supertracylynn
    supertracylynn Posts: 1,338 Member
    I'll probably get jumped on but my "coffee" in the morning is a can of Diet Coke.

    I see your Diet Coke and I raise you a Monster Absolute Zero!!!
  • puppy1002
    puppy1002 Posts: 154 Member
    I just went cold turkey with my coffee because I've tried having coffee with other stuff and couldn't do it do I just gave it up.
  • MrsCon40
    MrsCon40 Posts: 2,351 Member
    I suggest coffee. Black. :drinker:
  • 967_1111
    967_1111 Posts: 221 Member
    I went from double-double to half sugar, light cream. Took time, but you can adjust your taste buds over time. Gradually reduce the amount of sugar and cream you use.

    The light roast from Starbucks really does need less sugar and cream to enjoy. I barely put any sugar in, and just a touch of cream. In a bold roast, I'm double on both.

    As for the title of your post - there is no alternative for coffee. I'd give up real food before I gave up my coffee.
  • hsubharas
    hsubharas Posts: 26 Member
    I use a little Stevia in my coffee for sweetener. You do not need a lot. I have cut out a lot of sugar doing that. I also like the pu-erh tea or green tea. GOOD LUCK!!!
  • tyj247
    tyj247 Posts: 18
    Haha, I wish on the more sleep! I am consistently running on 6-6.5 hours of sleep (oh the life of a full-time worker and a part-time grad student). But the other suggestions have been helpful. I did give up coffee for Lent a couple years ago and drank a lot of tea but it didn't quite have the caffeine kick I needed. I'll try some of the teas suggested though. Also, I am wary of the sweeteners, I feel like I keep getting mixed signals on if they are in fact healthier in the long run (anyone else hear about this? Is my sleep-deprived mind making this up?)
  • hbm616
    hbm616 Posts: 377 Member
    Mix coffee with some sugar free hot cocoa mix! Then add 2 tbsp of half and half or whole milk. Creamy and tasty with limited calories.

    EDIT: Just read your aversion to alternative sweeteners...I know the feeling. I personally don't add any sweetener to my coffee and definitely not splenda or those types of sweeteners. If you wouldn't want a sugar free cocoa mix try the regular kind b/c the chocolate flavor will mask the coffee bitterness so you wont necessarily need to use a whole packet.
  • vvanm
    vvanm Posts: 157
    So, it's either lots of cream and sugar or black? I drink a lot of decaf coffee with 1/6 cup of 1% milk and a 1/2 tsp of sugar per cup. My favorite is Cinnamon Hazelnut organic that I find at the Health Food store. They have a grinder so it's fresh. My second favorite is Butterscotch Toffee from the Kauai Coffee Company you can get online. Also the strength can vary to taste. I use 3 TBS ground coffee for a half pot (10 cup drip coffee maker). I don't enjoy it any stronger. I found that losing weight changes my sense of taste, so that super sweet doesn't taste better any more. I think elevated insulin levels make your brain think sweeter tastes better and cravings are stronger.
  • Littlerunner0514
    Littlerunner0514 Posts: 42 Member
    Well, first you can try getting coffee that is not bitter. I don't know if you brew at home or buy it out, but places like Starbucks have a light roast (theirs is called Blonde right now). Or try flavored coffee grounds. Anyhow, the next step...if you brew at home, add about 1 tsp of cinnamon into the filter before putting the grounds in. Adds nice flavor. By adding the cinnamon I have been able to reduce the amount of sugar I put in to 1/2 tsp. I still use 2 Tbsp. of half & half. If you really like yours almost white, use skim milk instead of cream.

    That is a really smart idea..putting the cinnamon IN the filter!
  • Ely82010
    Ely82010 Posts: 1,998 Member
    I suggest coffee. Black. :drinker:

    Me too (splenda or trivia)!! So I guess that we are going to be jumped by the OP.

    Sorry:blushing:

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