If you are sick of regular cream in your coffee, are lactose intolerant, or are hoping to cut back on calories, what is a coffee lover to do? Even if you are trying to save a little bit of extra cash by omitting cream or half and half from your coffee, there are several alternatives available to you, often using household ingredients that you may not have considered before!
If you are lactose intolerant, one of the best options in cream for your coffee is Rice milk. This is a substance that is very similar to milk, but it is easier to digest for those who are lactose intolerant. It can be found in grocery store and health food store locations, and there are a number of different varieties available, like plain, chocolate, and vanilla, which may be a nice addition to your cup of Joe with additional flavoring. Many Rice milk products also contain calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D, and they contain less calories than regular milk. This is a plant-based milk product, so it has much less protein than regular cow's milk. It also has significantly higher carbs with less calcium. However, if you are a coffee drinker hoping to avoid milk in your cup of Joe, you will only be using a small amount of the rice milk, so it won't weigh heavy in providing protein or calcium either way. If you are a vegan or person who is lactose intolerant avoiding dairy, you can find other ways to get protein and calcium, such as from grains, beans, or other plant sources.
If you are otherwise hoping to avoid milk in your coffee to cut back calories and slim down, there are a number of other options available to you to keep your cup of Joe as tasty as ever. First off, consider brewing your coffee with cinnamon in the filter, which will give it a natural flavoring, allowing you to drink it black for only 2 calories per serving. This is truly the best option if you are on a diet since additional cream and sugar in your coffee can pack on the calories throughout the day. Otherwise, consider using only Splenda or a no calorie sweetener in your cup of Joe, or even invest in any number of sugar free flavorings to enjoy your coffee as a low calorie treat.
The truth of the matter is that if you are mixing your coffee with low-fat milk, it is a wonderful way to add protein and calcium to your brew. Otherwise, if you are lactose intolerant or a vegan, you can rely upon the still healthy alternative of rice milk. The one thing to avoid with coffee drinks is the option available in commercial coffee chains like Starbucks that can weigh in at almost 500 calories per drink! Coffee can truly be a healthy and delicious beverage to be enjoyed on a daily basis if you are vigilant in your preparation and brew method.
