Avoid these sweeteners during your next grocery run.
For many Americans, the best way to wake up is with a fresh mug ofbrewed coffee.
This has turned the caffeinated beverage into a cultural cornerstone nationwide.
While some may offer benefits, others may actually start your day off on the wrong foot.
Light drizzles of nutrient-added alternatives likemaple syrup and honeyare smarter bets.
Non-Dairy Creamers
Weve all seen (and probably used) those tiny shelf-stablenon-dairy creamercups before.
But as it turns out, these conveniences are poor choices when prioritizing better health.
Non-dairy creamers frequently contain corn syrup and hydrogenated oilsand typically lack nutritional value, Avitia says.
They may also include artificial additives that can lead to systemic inflammation.
However, these flavorful syrups are in no way considered healthy.
And unfortunately, the sugar-free options arent much better as notorious sources of artificial sweeteners.
Youre also bound to find plenty of preservatives and added sugar in many of these products.
Sweetened condensed milk is a common alternative to regular sugar in various cultures, Avitia explains.
Low-Fat Creamers
Our last health-sabotaging coffee add-in is low-fat creamer.
While a seemingly smart grab for its low trans and saturated fat content, low-fat creamers are deceivingly unhealthy.
What Makes a Coffee Add-In Healthy (or Unhealthy)?
Though coffee on its own is full ofanti-inflammatory bioactive compounds, the tastiest mix-ins usually detract from these benefits.
Thats because theyre often packed with added sugars, artificial sweeteners, unhealthy fats, and mystery ingredients.
The healthiest coffee add-ins will be free from refined sugars.
Unhealthy fat sources, like trans and saturated fats, are also commonly found in coffee add-ins.
Trans fats (i.e.
Trans fats should be avoided at all costs, whether that be in coffee mix-ins or other foods.
This equates to no more than 22 grams per day for someone on a 2,000 calorie diet.
