Drinking coffee *completely* black is an acquired taste, so many people like to sweeten their cup every morning. If you’re a coffee-lover who is trying to lose weight, you might be aware that there are plenty of unhealthy, sugary and heavy sweeteners out there that can deter your health goals.
The good news is— you don’t have to actually *give up* a cup of joe with a kick of flavor— you just have to be mindful of what you sweeten it with. We spoke with nutritionists who suggested a fruit-based, natural sweetener that won’t pack on extra calories without your knowledge.
READ MORE: 2 Ways To Instantly Make Your Morning Coffee Healthier, According To Dietitians
Health Benefits Of A Monk Fruit Coffee Sweetener
Monk fruit itself is a small, green gourd that resembles a melon and is usually grown in Southeast Asia. Its extract is used to make sweeteners, and you can find them in the following common forms— liquid, granule and powder. According to Healthline, monk fruit is 150 to 200 times sweeter than sugar but doesn't have the negative effects that artificial sweeteners do. This option has zero calories, carbs, sodium and fat— making it an ideal choice for someone who wants to lose weight.
Registered nutritionist Lisa Richards says that for those who must sweeten their coffee, she recommends using a low-fat dairy or plant-based option to also target inflammation. "Monk fruit makes a great alternative to creamer and sugar for sweetening purposes," says Richards.
"It is naturally sweet and it is high in antioxidants. This means you are not only avoiding inflammatory ingredients in processed creamers or sugar, but you are also giving your body anti-inflammatory nutrients."
Preventing inflammation, as she points out, is vital for a healthy metabolism and this also encourages healthy weight loss.
Sweeteners made from monk fruit are classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as “generally recognized as safe,” or GRAS, which is also important to consider. Certified personal trainer and nutritionist Christine VanDoren agrees that monk fruit sweeteners are worth trying in your coffee.
"Monk fruit appears to be one of the most natural options," says VanDoren. "It also contains zero calories per serving so it will not contribute to any weight gain. The FDA considers the sweetener to be safe, and there are no known harmful side effects."
So, in conclusion, if you are trying to lose weight and would rather give your coffee a little flavor every morning than take it black, monk fruit sweeteners are worth a try. Your body will feel much better without added daily sugar, calories, heavy cream or other artificial, heavily sweetened options and you might find it exciting to mix up your coffee order.
