How To Massively Improve Your Morning Coffee? (19 Quick Easy Hacks)
Would you like cream or sugar with your coffee?
Seems simple enough, right?
How about some collagen or butter?
Don't run away just yet!
Some of my easy coffee hacks might be tastier, and healthier, than you think.
If you are like me, it's probably safe to assume that you are a daily coffee drinker.
My husband Jack and I can't go a day without a dose of our beloved caffeine.
But has anyone tried to tell you that drinking coffee isn't good for your health?
Do you feel guilty drinking all that cream and sugar?
Related: 33 Pre-workout Coffee Recipes
I'm here to tell you a little secret: drinking coffee doesn't have to be “bad” for your health at all. In fact, you can make your coffee even healthier with just a few tricks.
I'm going to show you some healthy, delicious ways to improve your morning coffee.
Keep reading to learn how you can enjoy the taste you love every morning, minus the guilt!
What You Will Need?
Below is a list of ingredients you might find useful. More details below!
Organic whole coffee beans
Coffee maker
Milks and creams:
Almond milk
Coconut milk
Soy milk
Cashew milk
Rice milk
Sweeteners:
Stevia
Raw sugar
Honey
Maple syrup
Artificial sweeteners (Splenda, Sweet N' Low)
Vanilla
Spices:
Turmeric
Cayenne
Cinnamon
Ginger
Chai tea (or other favorite tea)
Coconut water
Collagen powder
Butter or coconut oil
Baking soda
The 19 Coffee Hacks
#1 Bean Quality Is Key
With all of the coffee options out there, it can be hard to decide what coffee beans to buy when you are at the store.
I recommend purchasing whole coffee beans.
Personal coffee-grinders come in many prices and varieties these days and it isn't difficult to find one that works for you.
Waiting to grind your coffee beans until right before you need them will help retain flavor.
If you don't have a coffee mill, you can even throw the beans into a food processor or blender.
And of course, make sure your coffee, whether it is ground or whole bean, is stored in an airtight container to maintain its quality.
Consider trying sun-roasted coffee and making sure your coffee was harvested and sourced ethically and naturally.
#2 Swap Out The Sugar
(for something new)
You may know how easy it is to feel addicted to sugar!
According to WebMD.com your brain sees sugar as a reward, which has physiological effects on the brain and body, keeping you wanting more.
Of course, most things in moderation are just fine.
But if you are looking to lower your sugar intake, why not swap out the usual sugar for something else?
You might try things like raw sugar, vanilla, mocha powder, honey, or maple syrup.
#3 Try Artificial Sweeteners
(for lower calories)
Of course, if you are looking for sugar substitutes, there are always artificial and alternative sweeteners.
May people opt for artificial sweeteners to lower their caloric intake, but others simply like the taste.
I have a friend who carries around her own little bottle of Stevia to add to iced tea when she is on to go, so why not try it in your coffee?
#4 Spice Things Up With Cinnamon
Adding cinnamon to our coffee was a major hit with Jack!
We decided to give a try because we know that cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties.
Cinnamon also contains many antioxidants.
It is is antibacterial (which means it can help fight against infections).
It is is said that cinnamon can be beneficial with issues related to diabetes and even cancer.
So, not only does it spice your morning ritual, but it has plenty of health benefits, too!
#5 Collagen And Coffee
(no, you didn't read that wrong!)
Yup, we were surprised by this at first, too!
Because until I tried it for myself, I definitely didn't hear the word "collagen" and think of it as a food supplement!
There is plenty of research that supports the use of collagen supplements in your diet.
You can take collagen through capsule, powder or liquid concentrate form.
For coffee, you'll want to purchase a liquid or powder version. It will be easier to mix with your drink.
Adding collagen to your diet can be good for your skin, hair, and fingernails.
Collagen can help with back and joint pain. Also, it may help protect the brain against Alzheimer.
You wont regret adding this to your coffee.
#6 Switch Up Your Milk
Sure, black coffee is great, but there are so many tasty ingredients on the market these days to experiment with.
One of my all-time favorite ways to improve my morning coffee routine is to switch up my milk. It can get old just using regular milk all the time (no offense to the cows!)
There are plenty of other very flavorful options out there to help improve your coffee experience, depending on what you like.
For a nutty, earthy flavor test out almond milk or cashew milk.
Rice milk and soy milk are other delicious options.
They often come in different styles (plain, vanilla or chocolate) which can add another whole delicious factor to your coffee.
#7 Add Coconut Milk
(for that creamy texture)
If you are looking for an alternative to cream, or just a tasty option in general, I highly recommend adding coconut milk to your coffee.
Not only is it absolutely delicious, it also adds that familiar creamy texture that you love when you use regular cream.
Coconut milk is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals such as Potassium, Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium and more.
It is also a great source of saturated fats (remember, these are are the "good" fats!)
#8 Ginger Isn't Just For Cookies
Do you love ginger-snap cookies? So do I!
Which is why I decided to try adding ginger to my coffee.
You may be familiar with drinking ginger tea to soothe the upset stomach, so why not add those same benefits for your morning cuppa?
Ground ginger powder is easy to find at most supermarkets, or you might even try steeping a ginger root tea bag directly in your coffee to infuse it with that flavor.
Be careful, because you might start to crave those cookies!
#9 Add Turmeric To Your Morning
Pick-me-up
Because of the many health benefits of turmeric, more and more people are adding this bright spice to their diets, and coffee is no exception.
Although it may be a bit of an "acquired" taste, many coffee drinkers are opting for turmeric-flavored lattes in order to benefit from its iron, fiber, and zinc properties.
Since it is anti-inflammatory, long-term consumption of turmeric can be very helpful for joint pain and mental clarity.
If you're looking for healthy way to improve your coffee, this is it.
#10 The cold cure cup-o-joe
Some people say that you should avoid coffee if you feel a cold coming on, but other researchers claim that coffee can help you feel better.
The main thing is that coffee is acidic and may irritate an already-sore throat. I decided to look into this because I don't like the idea of missing out on my morning coffee when I'm sick.
Studies suggest that the way you brew coffee your coffee can make all the difference.
If you feel a cold coming on, try a nice cold brew coffee. It will be less acidic so it won't bother you as much if you have a sore throat.
#11 Add Baking Soda (you'll see!)
Adding baking soda to your coffee is another method to help lower the acidity.
If you love coffee but suffer from acid reflux or heartburn, you may want to give this a try to help prevent an upset stomach after drinking too much coffee!
Pro Tip
A small pinch of baking soda should do the trick.
#12 Add Butter Or Coconut Oil
(for those healthy fats)
You may have heard of the trendy "Keto" diet that is all the rage these days.
This diet encourages people to eat lots of healthy fats to improve brain function. That's why you should look into adding butter or coconut oil to your coffee.
Not only does this add flavorful body to the coffee, but it can also help prevent your caffeine-crashes later in the day.
Pro Tip
Look for grass-fed butter, as this will be higher in Omega-3s.
Choose coconut products if you're vegan or dairy free and want to boost your immune system.#13 Get Creative With
(delicious homemade flavored syrups)
Yummy homemade syrups are surprisingly easy to make. You can add these to your coffee for delicious flavor.
There are hundreds of recipes all over the internet to help get you started.
Not only will this allow you to get creative and personalize your coffee, but it is a much cheaper option than purchasing pre-made syrups at the store.
This mostly involves picking something (such as blueberries!) and simmering it with sugar on the stove top to get a rich, syrupy consistency.
For some yummy ideas, check out RoyalCupCoffee.com
#14 Lose The Lactose:
(try dairy free)
Many people develop lactose intolerance as they grow older (this means that their stomachs can't digest the main proteins and sugars found in cow's milk).
Thankfully, I have not reached that point yet, but sometimes Jack needs to take a little break from the lactose.
Besides, studies show that consuming too much dairy can cause inflammation in the body for some people.
I already mentioned some of the dairy-free options above, such as almond or soy milk.
But there are many dairy-free creamers available on the market, some of which have delicious flavors like vanilla or hazelnut.
#15 Make Your Morning "eco-friendly" (with organic coffee)
We all know about the problem of climate change, and unfortunately, coffee is not immune from the controversy!
In order to "go green" with your coffee, you should look for Organic coffee.
Organic coffee beans are free of pesticides. Pesticides can be harmful for both your body and the environment.
Pro Tip
You might also consider purchasing "Fair Trade" or "shade grown" coffee.
“Fair Trade” coffee means the coffee farmers who grew the coffee were treated well.
Shade grown means that not as many trees were cut down to grow the coffee beans.
#16 Freshen Up Your Coffee
(with coconut water)
We already talked about coconut milk, but what about coconut water?
You can try giving your coffee a sweet, fresh taste by adding coconut water, which is packed with potassium and is great for hydration!
#17 Espresso And Tea:
(the ultimate duo)
Some people think you have to choose a side: tea or coffee. But I say you can pick both!
A popular drink called a "Dirty Chai" is a chai tea latte with a shot of espresso thrown in.
This adds that delicious coffee flavor to the chai tea. I think you'll love it! This way, you can have the best of both worlds.
#18 Opt For Just One Pump
Yummy flavored lattes at the coffee shop usually have very sweet syrups mixed in such as vanilla, caramel, or mocha.
They are extremely delicious but also full of sugar.
If you're looking to cut back on sugar, consider opting for just one pump of your favorite flavor.
This way, you can keep the taste you're craving without overloading your body. Hotness also keep the taste of your coffee.
Even better, try asking your barista about sugar free options. You might be pleasantly surprised!
#19 Add Cayenne (for a real kick)
Are you a fan of spicy food? So am I!
But you don't have to be a spicy-food champion to enjoy cayenne pepper in your coffee.
Cayenne pepper can be used to help clear congestion, provide pain relief, support weight loss and promote good digestion.
It's a great way to add a kick to your morning coffee and warm things up!
Pro Tip
If it's your first time, try adding just a pinch, and take it from there according to your own taste.
Now You're Ready
To Shake up Your Morning Routine
Did you find a new tasty or healthy way to try your favorite caffeinated drink?
I hope you found these tips helpful.
Have you tried any of these ideas already? What is your favorite healthy way to drink coffee?
Do you drink your coffee the same every day, or do you change it?
Let me know in the comments, I want to hear from you!
Further readings:
https://hellogiggles.com/lifestyle/food-drink/easy-coffee-hacks/
https://www.thehealthymaven.com/2016/06/7-ways-boost-morning-coffee.html
https://www.careergirldaily.com/healthy-coffee-recipes/
https://www.deathwishcoffee.com/blogs/news/boost-morning-coffee
https://getrawenergy.co/how-to-improve-your-morning-coffee/
https://www.simplemost.com/7-healthy-coffee-hacks-guilt-free-morning/
https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-sugar-addiction
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-cinnamon
https://www.perfectketo.com/benefits-of-collagen
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-milk#section3
https://driftaway.coffee/drink-coffee-sick
https://www.thealternativedaily.com/benefits-of-baking-soda-in-coffee
http://coveteur.com/2018/01/17/butter-coffee-health-benefits-bulletproof-recipe
https://www.thehealthymaven.com/2016/06/7-ways-boost-morning-coffee.html
http://www.royalcupcoffee.com/blog/articles/how-make-homemade-coffee-syrups
https://www.purplecarrot.com/blog/dairy-inflammation-connection/
http://time.com/3559621/coconut-water-nutrition/
https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/benefits-of-cayenne-pepper/