4 Coffee Add-Ins That Are Ruining Your Weight Loss Goals

Whether it’s a freshly-brewed cup of Americano or a cold-brew that’s been steeping for over 20 hours, an early-morning caffeine fix jumpstarts many people’s days all over the world.

Apart from perking you up for the day ahead, this antioxidant-rich beverage can also help improve your physical performance (which helps in the gym), give you a mood boost, while supplying you with nutrients including Vitamins B2, B3, and B5 as well as manganese and potassium. And the best part? It comes at almost zero calories!

But before you chug down lattes and coffee-based drinks by the bucket for your fitness journey, you should know that what you put in your daily brew matters too. From sweeteners to creamers, to flavorings, and spices, your coffee additions can have different effects and some may be better options than others.

In this blog, we’ll be talking about some of your favorite coffee add-ins that may be dampening your weight loss goals. Let’s get started!

1.    White Sugar

Coffee can be a bitter affair and a spoonful of sugar can balance out its flavor. But table sugar isn’t always the best option for sweetening your cup of joe if you’re watching your weight.

One teaspoon of white sugar contains 16 calories and if you like your coffee a little sweeter, you’re likely to add more. Consuming excessive amounts of sugar regularly can lead to many health risks, including diabetes and weight gain.

So if you need sweetness in your coffee, go for alternatives like stevia or monk fruit sweeteners.

2.    Non-Dairy Creamers

Coffee creamers are a combination of sweeteners, flavoring agents and partially hydrogenated oil or trans fats. Consuming too much of this can increase your caloric intake because of the fats and sugar present. 

Instead, try using plain old dairy milk or nut milk like almond, soy, or coconut milk. These options add richness and flavor to your coffee minus the drawbacks of non-dairy creamer. Note, however, that moderation is still key. So don’t go overboard with your coffee creamer options.

3.     Whipped Cream

If your coffee house order includes a tall dollop of whipped cream on top, your waistline might be in trouble. While whipped cream is a delicious treat, having too much of it every day can increase your total calories by adding excess fat and sugar to your diet.

4.    Flavored Syrups

There are endless ways to make bitter coffee more palatable and your local cafés know that. From caramel, to vanilla, to peppermint, to chocolate, flavored syrups can make a world of a difference in terms of making a boring cup of coffee into something extra yummy.

But while these can be ok in small doses, the calorie count can add up quite easily. This is because most flavored syrups are a combination of simple syrups and extracts. You can add hundreds of calories to your coffee order just by requesting for more pumps of these flavorings.

If you want a healthier alternative, try ground spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or turmeric. These can make your coffee taste more interesting without the added guilt.