How can I sweeten my coffee without sugar?

If you’re a coffee lover, you may be enjoying at least two or three coffees a day at work. If you also like your coffee on the sweeter side, you’re probably adding sugar to your cup. But as many of us are becoming more focused on our health and well-being, reducing our sugar intake offers huge benefits.

These benefits include weight management and better oral health, plus it can support heart, liver and skin health. Some studies also suggest that reducing sugar can even help improve mental health by lowering your risk of depression.

Recommendations from the World Health Organisation say that only 5% of our daily calorie intake should consist of sugar. This means adults should have no more than 30g a day which is about 7 sugar cubes. But be aware that a lot of our food and drink already has sugar in them which is often hidden, especially in processed foods.

White sugar or refined sugar as it’s widely known is one of the worst sugars to consume. So if giving up sugar is out of the question, switching to natural or brown sugar would be better for you. In this blog, we take a look at our top five alternatives to using refined white sugar in your coffee.

Coconut sugar

Coconut sugar is derived from the coconut palm tree and is produced mainly in the Philippines and elsewhere in South East Asia. It looks very similar to brown sugar and has a strong and sweet caramel taste that works well in coffee.

It’s more nutritious and lower on the glycemic index than white sugar. This sweet stuff contains health-boosting minerals including iron, zinc, calcium and potassium, along with antioxidants. However, like regular sugar, it’s high in calories so if you’re watching your weight, still use it sparingly. In recent years, it has become increasingly popular so you can pick up coconut sugar in most large supermarkets or health food shops.

Honey

Raw honey is a popular natural sweetener to add to hot beverages. It’s slightly higher in calories than white sugar but pure honey is again, lower on the glycemic index, so better for you. Plus it has higher amounts of amino acids and vitamins including potassium. Different honey types have different flavours so experiment with trying a few to find the perfect sweetener for your coffee.

The floral and aromatic notes in the honey pair well with the earthy and rich coffee taste. The only downside is that it tends to be more expensive than sugar, especially if you opt for a high-quality organic product.

Maple syrup

You’re going to make sure you select pure maple syrup and not one with added sweeteners, colourings, or artificial flavours and one that isn’t diluted with cane sugar or corn syrup. Pure maple syrup is a fantastic addition to your coffee and adds a smooth and sweet caramel and vanilla taste.

It dissolves really easily in hot and cold drinks so you can always add this to your cold brew or iced latte. Maple syrup contains minerals, nutrients, and antioxidants although it is still fairly high in calories. However, if you’re going to consume less sugar in your coffee, why not sweeten it with something better and more nutritious like maple syrup?

Stevia sweetener

Commonly known as sweet leaf or sugar leaf, stevia is a plant that belongs to the sunflower family. It is native to Central and South America and is a safe and naturally derived sugar substitute. The best thing about stevia is that it is calorie-free so perfect for weight loss or weight management. It’s about 100 to 300 times sweeter than white refined sugar, but it has no carbohydrates or artificial ingredients. As it is so much sweeter, you don’t need to use as much as you would sugar.

Some people do find the taste a little bitter with a hint of menthol so it’s not for everyone. Stevia can also cause bloating and other stomach issues especially if you consume too much. It is widely available and you can pick it up from most local supermarkets.

Of course, whatever sweetener you use, you’ll want to start off with great quality, premium-tasting coffee. If you’re interested in upgrading your office coffee machine, simply get in touch with our team on 020 7553 7900.