9 Ways to Make Your Coffee Habit Healthier

Coffee catches a lot of grief, but it's not as bad as you might think. Some research shows that it can be good for youโ€”and here are ways to make it even healthier.

How to make your coffee healthy

Your daily coffee break may not be as bad for your health as you might think. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make it even better for you. Check out how to make your coffee habit a bit healthierโ€”especially if you drink it every day.

coffee cup
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Don’t have coffeeโ€”and only coffeeโ€”for breakfast

So, you’re running late for work and you manage to guzzle down a morning cup of coffee before heading into your first meeting. Fast forward to mid-day and your stomach is growling and you realize thatโ€”whoops!โ€”you completely forgot to eat breakfast and now it’s past lunchtime. Though drinking coffee is healthy, registered dietitian Adina Pearson, says that because coffee can suppress your appetite and is a stimulant, some people use it as a meal replacement.

“Coffee’s stimulant properties may mask the fact you’re undereating, but it’s only temporary. Good self-care means eating enoughโ€”not just being buzzed. You can’t run on caffeine you need foodโ€”carbs, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals, and fiberโ€”for overall health.” (Here are 7 signs you’re drinking too much caffeine.)

woman holding coffee
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Figure out if you really like coffee

Do you remember the first time you had a cup of coffee? More likely than not, you were in college and cramming for a final and your roommate suggested brewing up a batch. It might have been love at first sip, or you could have stomached your way through it, hoping it’d help you ace your test. Either way, now that you’re older (and hopefully, wiser), Pearson says to make sure you actually like it or if you’re drinking coffee daily as a band-aid to your poor sleep habits. Read this if you take your coffee black.

“Coffee is a pick-me-up, but working toward a normal sleep pattern will make life much better than caffeine. If you’re using coffee to survive on inadequate sleep, your body and mind are still tired and you’ll still not be at your best physically and mentally,” she explains. “Chronic inadequate sleep raises stress hormones and contributes to a lot of health problems.” (Here’s how quitting coffee affects your body.)

cinnamon sticks
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Top it off with cinnamon

If Starbucks is your favorite coffee house, then you’ve likely seen the cinnamon on the milk counter when you go to top off your brew. Next time, take advantage and give your health a boost. Swinney says that cinnamon can make your beverage even better for you, thanks to its antioxidant properties, not to mention a slew of other benefits.

“Cinnamon has been shown to lower blood sugar in many clinical studies. Adding spices add antioxidants and sweetness without calories, helping to cut back on the sugar you might add to coffee. Cloves have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties,” she explains.

water filter pitcher
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Use filtered water only

You might think that since we boil water to brew coffee, you don’t have to worry whether it’s filtered. But Swinney says filtered water is a smart choice, if not for taste, but for health. “Filtered water ensures there are not any unwanted heavy metals like lead or copper, that might be found in old pipes. Tap water also contains many chlorine disinfection byproducts which can be harmful long term,” she says. “You should also avoid using well water unless it’s been tested for contaminants.” Once your water is squared away, learn which type of coffee is best for you.

keurig
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Don’t use a Keurig

In addition to being pretty terrible for the environment, Ken Immer, president and chief culinary officer at Culinary Health Solutions says Keurig Coffee Makers also pose some potential health issues. Not only do you expose yourself to plastic that’s been heated, but Keurigs tend to get dirty, fast. “The water tanks in a Keurig can never truly be flushed and cleaned. We are concerned about mold and bacteria growth in these tanks over time, much like commercial ice machines,” Immer says. (This is the healthiest coffee you can drink.)

Always use paper filters

According to registered dietitian nutritionist Jill Weisenberger, one of the easiest ways to make sure your coffee is brewed in a healthy way is to consider how you’re filtering it. Those reusable filters might be tempting (and sure, provide less waste), but using recyclable paper filters has an added bonus for your nutrition. “Filtering coffee with paper removes two compounds, cafestol and kahweol, that raise both total and LDL cholesterol levels,” she explains. (Here’s how coffee can help you learn.)

iced coffee in plastic cup
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Try sparkling coffee for hydration

Looking for a replacement for your diet soda? Try sparkling coffee. The latest interpretation of coffee involves blending cold brew with natural ingredients like Meyer lemon juice honey. The health benefits of flavors like Ginger Hibiscus? They’re marketed as healthier energy drinks, with formulations that contain electrolytes, antioxidants, and less caffeine than straight-up coffee.

coffeebeans in hands
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Consider your conscience

If you consider the “health” of your coffee as more than just what you’re putting in your body, but also how your coffee beans are grown, picked, and get to you, Swinney suggests you’re taking your coffee habit to a more beneficial levelโ€”not only for yourself, but for the world. “Drink clean and with a conscience. Choose fair-trade or coffee with other certifications that help third-world farmers improve their living conditions. Give some thought to the packaging involved in single-serve coffeeโ€”it requires much more packaging and contains a larger carbon footprint for getting to the store.”

Syrups in glass containers
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Skip syrups and go organic

You might think that nonfat, sugar-free vanilla syrup is a healthy choice, but low-calorie doesn’t always translate to health benefits. Swinney suggests weaning yourself off sweeteners completely if you possible; if you can’t, be super picky about the additives you’re putting into your brew. “Pick organic cream to whiten your coffee or make your own packaging-free alternative milk from oats or nuts. Creamers often have artificial flavors, sweeteners, and other additives, so you’re better off using organic milk or cream plus organic brown sugar,” she says. Next, check out the problems all coffee lovers understand.

Sources
Medically reviewed by Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, on March 23, 2021