Who doesn’t love a good cup of caffeine? Whether it be coffee or tea, this little(or venti!) cup of joy is what sometimes helps brighten our day. There are a plethora of ways to drink these, but what’s the healthier alternative to your coffee shop order? With the holidays here those fun flavored lattes are coming out to play, but unfortunately these are filled with added sugars and calories that can affect our overall health. Here are some better ways to enjoy that cup of caffeine without getting that stomach ache, causing breakouts on your skin, or basically drinking your meal~

Gingerbread latte or peppermint mocha calling your name? If you feel like you don’t really need it then get a regular latte and sprinkle some cinnamon on top to still have a fun/warm flavor. Is it a treat yourself kind of day? Then ask for half the syrup/sweetener so your cup isn’t mostly full of sugar.
I LOVE chai lattes, but I always ask how they make their chai and if a powder is used I will either order a hot tea with steamed almond milk and sprinkle cinnamon on top or just ask for half the powder in my drink. Chai powders typically have added sugars and dairy in them(FYI for dairy-free peeps), though they are very tasty they end up giving me a stomach ache so if you’re the same then limit that powder.
Alternatives to those flavored drinks: Hot coffee with steamed milk 1/2 pump of flavor or cinnamon/cocoa powder on top. Hot tea with steamed milk and cinnamon on top. Adding cocoa powder to black coffee always helps with giving it some flavor if you’re trying to stray from creamer and syrups.
If your drink comes with whipped cream ask for it without.
If you’re ordering a Matcha latte always ask if they use sweetener! Sometimes its honey and sometimes it syrup, but if the earthy taste still gets to you then ask for half sweetener-preferably honey. Also ask what kind of matcha they use, some powders have sugar in them but traditional matcha is just green tea powder.
Iced tea can come sweetened as well, so ask for no sweetener or just a half pump if needed. A little honey will also do the trick.
Can’t drink your iced coffee plain? Add milk or honey as opposed to a sugar packet.
Hot chocolate is necessary for those colder days, ask for no whip and less syrup. Some shops homemake their hot chocolate, so you could ask for half chocolate and half milk to tone down the sweetness.

These are just alternatives for those who are avid coffee shop goers, but if you don’t typically purchase your cup of caffeine out then enjoy that fun drink every now and then. If you’re looking to cut the sugars added to your drinks then ask for half the sweetener or flavor it yourself with the cinnamon and cocoa powders offered. Sometimes these drinks are our little treats to help us get through those work days, so enjoy them as that when needed.

Once you start cutting down on the added sugars your taste buds will adjust and those fully sweetened drinks will become sensitive to your buds which will helps with those cravings. Be patient and give it a go! Happy drinking~

P.S. always bring a snack or eat before so you’re not tempted by those treats every time!

Matcha latte with almond milk made with traditional no sugar added matcha powder at Portola.

Almond milk cappuccino from Blue Bottle.

1/2 sweet pumpkin almond milk chai latte with cinnamon to top from Peet’s Coffee.

Golden latte(made with turmeric and spices) from Common Room Roasters.

CAFFEINE PLEASE!