For many of us, starting our day with a cup of coffee each morning is a beloved ritual. And luckily, coffee can be a healthy addition to a balanced diet. In fact, research suggests that regularly drinking coffee can even help you lose weight. However, those health benefits can easily be negated if you load your morning beverage with unhealthy ingredients.
To discover some of the worst coffee ingredients that may be putting your health (and weight loss goals) at risk, we spoke to Rachel Scott, Co-Founder and Medical Practitioner at National TASC, and registered dietitian Zoë Schroeder. They told us that both sugar and artificial sweeteners are two ingredients you’re better off leaving out of your cup if you want to lose weight. Learn more below!
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Sugar
By now, it probably doesn't come as a surprise to hear that sugar isn't a great thing to put into your body if you're trying to lose weight. However, many of us still can't resist a bit of sweetness in our cup of joe. Unfortunately, Scott emphasizes that this is a habit you should definitely consider breaking in order to slim down.
There are many health issues at hand when it comes to refined sugar, from inflammation to disease and, of course, weight gain. One of the biggest reasons it can take a toll on your body is the fact that it spikes your blood sugar. "The bad thing about refined sugar is that the body is able to metabolize and break them down rapidly, so it causes a spike in blood sugar levels," Scott tells us. "In turn, there is an overproduction of insulin. If this continues, your body will have insulin resistance which can lead to diabetes and other heart diseases. This can also cause you to have a hard time losing weight." Yikes! Next time you're getting ready to put a spoonful of two or sugar in your coffee, it may be worth reminding yourself of these risks.
Artificial sweetener
If you're trying to cut out sugar, you may think artificial sweetener makes a good replacement. As it turns out, though, experts agree that these artificial options can be just as bad as sugar for different reasons.
For starters, the sweet flavor of this ingredient is enough to make you crave real sugar. That means you're more likely to overindulge in sugary treats later in the day if you start your morning with a cup of sweetener-loaded coffee. "Artificial sweeteners can actually increase your sugar cravings, which, if you're trying to reduce added sugar and processed foods, can be counterproductive and very frustrating," Schroeder tells us.
Artificial sweeteners may also lead to gut issues by causing an increase of bad bacteria in your gut, which can be one major culprit of weight gain over time.
How to take your coffee instead
Okay, so sugar is a no-go, and artificial sweeteners should be avoided, as well. What, exactly, can you put in your coffee if you want to lose weight, then? Unfortunately for everyone with a sweet tooth, the healthiest way to go is always to take your coffee unsweetened and black. However, there are some other options if you really can't stomach the bitter taste. Natural sweeteners like monk fruit make a great alternative to refined sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Overall, while cutting your favorite coffee ingredients out may seem difficult at first, it will get you one step closer to your weight loss goals; the slimmer waistline will be worth it!
