Give Your Coffee A Glow Up (5 Healthy Add-ins)

Do you reach for coffee first thing in the morning? When your daily schedule is packed with auditions, meetings, events AND holiday get-togethers, caffeine seems like the natural choice to get you going. And I’m not going to tell you to avoid it all together, so if you are going to indulge, why not supe up your java fix with a few healthy coffee add-ins?

These simple changes will add more than just good flavor; these ingredients contain tons of antioxidants and health benefits too! 

Cinnamon

This pantry staple is the perfect way to boost the flavor of a hot beverage without a lot of calories. Cinnamon is packed with antioxidants and high in manganese and iron. It can help reduce inflammation, lower your blood sugar levels, alleviate nausea, and prevent heart disease. Plus, it will give extra support to your immune system during this cold season. 

Autumn is cinnamon’s time to shine, so sprinkle it over your morning mug or add a teaspoon to your coffee grounds before brewing. Try to buy Ceylon cinnamon if you can; it’s worth the extra cost as it’s safer to consume regularly. 

Cardamom

If you’d prefer a little more zing in your morning routine, cardamom offers a spicy flavor similar to ginger. It is highly valued in Ayurvedic medicine and common in coffee drinks in the Middle East. 

This healthy add-in is a true cancer fighter: “research published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention found cardamom contains compounds with the potential to kill cancer cells and stunt new cancer cell growth.” It also improves circulation and helps ease digestion. 

While you can sprinkle it in your coffee, it’s recommended to add a pod or two of green cardamom to your coffee beans before grinding in order to really experience the fresh floral aroma. 

Mushrooms

You may not know this about me, but I believe mushrooms could actually save the planet. I even wrote an entire post on mycologist and enthusiastic fungus entrepreneur Paul Stamets, who has discovered tons of uses for mushrooms to help solve large-scale ecological and man-made problems. Needless to say, I’m obsessed. 

They are also a fab alternative to your regular caffeine fix! Four Sigmatic makes amazing coffee and elixirs with different mushroom varieties that really showcase their antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties.

⭐ Use the code THEPLANTELIFEFS at Four Sigmatic for a discount too!

Whether you add some powder to your regular cup of joe, or switch it out for the full mushroom version, this healthy coffee add-in offers powerful prebiotics, nutrients and alternative protein.

The nutraceutical properties in mushrooms can also provide physiological benefits to your mood and your mind. And there are numerous studies on their use in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, including hypertension, strokes, cancer and forms of dementia like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

So, sip on this, and I’m sure you’ll become a fungi fan too!

Cacao

A healthy, homemade mocha latte in the morning? Yes, please! 

Stir up to a tablespoon of organic raw cacao powder in your morning coffee, and let this superfood do the rest! Cacao helps reduce inflammation, balance your cholesterol, and lower blood pressure, all great means to manage type 2 diabetes. 

Not to mention that chocolate is a definite mood booster.  I feel better already!

(P.S. Raw cacao is bitter, so If you might need a little sweetness with your chocolate, so drizzle in a little maple syrup.)

Oats

Surprise! This healthy add-in will turn your tasty beverage into a filling breakfast, instantly. 

If you’re rushing out the door and don’t have time to make anything too complicated, try brewing oatmeal in a thermos with coffee instead of water. Sprinkle in a little cinnamon, if you like too.

You’ll get your caffeine fix, actually eat something substantial to start your day off right, and get fiber and important minerals magnesium, zinc, manganese, selenium, and iron. 

You can even make these the night before, for a cooler kick-start to the day. Here’s a recipe for Espresso Overnight Oats with Almond Butter. 

Oh and lil bonus tip for you: Make sure you’re drinking organic coffee! Otherwise you’re drinking down all the pesticides and chemicals the beans are coated with. I mean, yuck. 

I’d love to know which of these healthy coffee add-ins is your favorite. Let me know in the comments below!

LOVE + lots of energy!