Coffee helps keep you awake, making it a popular morning beverage.
However, coffee can also cause bloating and weight gain, thanks to the caffeine in coffees.
Caffeine is a stimulant that can speed up your heart rate and metabolism, which is also associated with possible weight gain.
It’s also a diuretic, which can cause dehydration and bloating.
At the same time, possible weight gain also depends on how you drink your coffee.
Black coffee can be good for weight loss as it contains no creamer or sweeteners, resulting in fewer calories.
Of course, this is a common weight loss strategy: reducing calorie intake, like how people use olive oil as a healthier alternative instead of regular cooking oil—the same works with coffee.
Still, weight loss isn’t as easy for everyone.
There are limitations to relying on alternative coffee preparation methods for weight loss.
For one, each of us has a set point weight, which means our bodies have a predisposition for certain weights.
Everyone’s set point weight is different, and going below your set point weight is like forcing your body to fight against its own nature.
This may be why some people find it more challenging to lose weight than others, even with reduced sugar intake from their morning Joe.
Fortunately, getting below your set point weight is possible.
Instead of using coffee as a singular weight loss tool, it may be smart to approach your coffee-drinking experience through a healthier lens by building better coffee habits.
This holistic approach to weight loss can help change your set point weight, making weight maintenance a more manageable journey.
For instance, a morning coffee can provide you with the energy you need for the day, so why not pair that coffee with a morning exercise routine?
In this post, we’ll discuss four more coffee-drinking hacks to help you maintain good health and weight:
1. Eat before having your morning coffee
Some people treat their morning coffee as breakfast, which helps wake them up and provides energy for the rest of the day.
However, experts actually recommend having something to eat before enjoying your morning coffee.
Because coffee (and caffeine) affects your metabolism, having only coffee for breakfast can make you eat more later in the day.
Coffee can reduce feelings of hunger, which prompts people to skip meals. Consequently, they tend to eat more later to “make up” for the missed meals.
Instead, eating something before you drink your coffee is better, as coffee boosts your energy metabolism and can help your body better digest your food for the rest of the day.
2. Add a touch of flavor to the rind
As mentioned in our introduction, black coffee can be good for weight loss because of the lack of creamer and sweeteners.
However, this also means your coffee might lack flavor.
Fortunately, there is a healthy way to add sweetness to your coffee without contributing to weight gain to get the best of both worlds.
Adding orange zest to coffee is an increasingly popular way of elevating your coffee.
Coffee’s flavor profile overlaps with chocolate’s flavor profile, and chocolate works well with orange.
Even Italians remix their coffee with a slice of lemon or orange. Other citrus fruits like tangerines or clementines can be tasty substitutes.
To complement your weight maintenance, having your citrus coffee mix half an hour before exercising is recommended to help burn more fat and lose weight effectively.
3. Try flavored coffee beans
Similarly, if you’re tired of having only black coffee to avoid gaining weight, you can opt for flavored coffee beans.
Flavored coffee beans use natural extracts like vanilla, unlike creamers and sweeteners with high amounts of sugar.
A bag of flavored coffee beans is a good alternative if you don’t like the taste of citrus.
Flavors widely vary and are sure to fit your preference, including blueberry, butter pecan, coconut, and more.
Some coffee beans are finished in whiskey or rum barrels to provide a subtle alcohol taste—perfect for a nightcap.
You can also try flavoring your beans at home by adding cacao nibs to your coffee beans in your coffee grinder to create a nice chocolate flavor.
Of course, if you prefer the natural taste of coffee, this tip may not be for you.
4. Put turmeric in your coffee
Finally, another way you can make your daily caffeine intake healthier is by adding turmeric.
Nowadays, more people are adding this yellow spice to their meals.
Adding turmeric to your coffee will give it an earthy taste akin to cinnamon and give your cup of coffee a health boost.
The various health benefits of turmeric include its antioxidant properties that can help fight the free radicals in your body associated with faster aging and the development of chronic diseases.
Curcumin in turmeric can also boost weight loss and reduce belly fat.
A study of overweight people found that supplementing with 800 milligrams of curcumin for 30 days led to significant weight and body fat loss and reduced hip and waist circumference.
You don’t have to deprive yourself of your favorite beverages if you’re worried about weight.
By trying out different coffee hacks, you can make your morning drink a fun and healthier experience.