There’s a lot to love about coffee—including the fact that it can be great for you. In fact, drinking a cup or two of black coffee every morning could come with a range of health benefits, including a faster metabolism. However, many people fall into a few common coffee pitfalls that could actually negate those positive effects and do more harm than good. There are several mistakes you may be making when your morning coffee every morning that could possibly even slowing your metabolism, rather than boosting it.
To discover a few of the worst, most common coffee mistakes that might be holding you back from your weight loss goals, we spoke to dietitian Krutika Nanavati. She told us that using coffee as a meal replacement and adding too much sugar to your cup could both have adverse effects on your health—and, specifically, your metabolism. Read on to learn more about the risks of each of these bad habits.
1. Replacing your breakfast with coffee
We get it: Sometimes you wake up without enough time to have coffee and breakfast. For some people, the obvious answer is to grab that cup of joe and walk out the door. However, if you want to keep your metabolism healthy, Nanavati stresses that you shouldn't use coffee has a breakfast replacement on a regular basis.
"Many people replace their morning meal with coffee, which can be detrimental to metabolic health," she says. "Breakfast is vital to kickstart your metabolism and provide energy for the day." A balanced breakfast filled with nutritious foods is always ideal for your overall health, especially if you're trying to lose weight.
Of course, there will be instances where you're in a rush, but you should always make an effort to grab a small breakfast. "Try a balanced breakfast smoothie or a piece of fruit with some nuts alongside your coffee," Nanavati recommends.
2. Adding too many sugary ingredients
If you like your coffee extra-sweet, we've got some bad news for you: adding too much sugar or sugary ingredients (like creamers and syrups) to your morning beverage could do some serious damage to your waistline. It's no secret that too much sugar can lead to many health risks, and a slower metabolism is one possibility.
"Adding sugar, flavored syrups, or whipped cream to your coffee can significantly increase the calorie content," Nanavati warns. "Despite popular belief, these empty calories do not provide any nutritional benefit and can contribute to weight gain, which slows down metabolism over time." Say it ain't so!
Luckily, there are great-tasting alternatives to refined sugar. "Instead, try using natural sweeteners like honey or stevia, or better yet, enjoy your coffee black."
You may even consider adding a sprinkle of cinnamon to your coffee for an extra metabolism boost. (You're welcome!)
The bottom line
We understand that your coffee habits are personal. Adapting to less sugar or even remembering to eat something with your morning espresso can be a difficult process. And, hey, if you want to risk the health effects of a pumpkin spice latte once every now and then, we won't blame you—and it probably won't add 5 inches to your waist overnight. However, kicking bad habits like these is one good step towards your weight loss goals. The number on the scale may be worth it in the long run.
