Did you know that a Starbucks venti cafe mocha with whole milk and whipped cream contains 41.2 grams of sugar? A Starbucks venti white mocha with skimmed Milk and whipped cream has 75.7 grams of sugar. That’s just for your cup of coffee. If you add a blueberry scone onto your order for breakfast, that is an extra 20 grams of sugar. The American Heart Association recommends that men consume no more than 36 grams of added sugar per day and for women and children 25 grams. With that being said, your morning coffee run already leads to overconsumption of added sugar. Overconsumption in sugar leads to dangerous health risks such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure and more. So what are some healthier options for your morning caffeine fix? For breakfast on the go, you can check out a previous article here!
Green Tea
Even though it is one of my favorite drinks, chai tea lattes contain a lot of added sugar depending on where you get it from. However, there are other alternatives to chai tea such as green tea. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and is considered one of the healthiest beverages besides water. This is something that you can add your own amount of sugar to but it’s best with honey or agave. Natural sweeteners are also more beneficial and healthier for your gut. Green tea is also a tea that can be enjoyed hot or iced depending on the weather! You can even order this through your local Starbucks if you do not want to make it at home.
Cold Brew
If you are going to be cutting out sugar, drinking coffee black can be very daunting. However, cold brew is a better alternative to drink black due the lower acidity and smoothness. You can always add milk/milk alternative or sugar-free syrup to add that sweet factor.
La Colombe Coffee Oat Milk Latte
Even though it is still a bit of a splurge at 11 grams of sugar, this is something that can be shipped to your front door. The Oat Milk Draft Latte from La Colombe Coffee Company provides all of its nutrition information on the back of its cans and has a wide variety of flavors. Keep in mind that other flavors can make the sugar level higher. This is a great option if you truly want to moderate your intake and have it delivered to your door!
Brew and Steep at Home
It is not always the most convenient thing to do, but in the long run it will save money and your health. Making your tea and coffee drinks help you learn and understand the importance of controlling your sugar levels. If you over consume sugar 5 out of 7 days a week since you stop for breakfast on your way to work or after dropping your kids off from school, it could cause long term problems. There is nothing wrong with splurging on coffee once in a while but like everything else—everything is better in moderation. Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Tim Hortons, and other popular chains offer ground coffee, k-cups, and even their creamers. Making these small adjustments can even make your morning better!
