Drink Coffee (but avoid these 6 mistakes)

So you want to know if coffee is healthy, right? Is it noyoke?

Well, it depends.

How do you take it? Where do you get it? What’s REALLY in it?

Let’s discuss all that and why avoiding some common coffee mistakes is important for your mind and body.

But first, can we just be in love with coffee for a minute?

Why Coffee is Wonderful

If you look online, you’ll find endless memes about coffee.

• “You can do it.” – Coffee
• “Coffee. Love it I do.” – Yoda
• “I never said I would die if I didn’t have coffee. I said other people would die.” – Unknown

Yes, people love their coffee.

I do. You do. We all do.

Why?

For most people, it’s all about the caffeine.

It’s motivating, inspiring, it gets you through your day.

Indeed, coffee is just the best.

Heck, I’ve already had two cups today!

But aside from the caffeine, there’s a reason it’s consumed across continents for centuries. Here’s why coffee is awesome. It is:

• Good for your liver. It’s a medical fact that coffee can prevent liver cancer. But it also helps with daily liver needs. Here’s how you can FEEL this fact. Ever have a coffee the morning after a long night of drinking? Feels amazing, right? That’s coffee working away to fix the damage you did the night before. “Sure, I’ll take a top-off!”
• Helpful for your brain. Think faster, access deeper archives, etc. No explanation needed here. It literally turns your brain “on” for the day.
• Active in reducing your risk of depression. I mean, who isn’t a little sad when there’s no coffee? (But seriously, studies prove this.)
• Social. “Let’s meet for a coffee” is the default non-alcoholic, social lubricant.
• Cross-cultural. Travel anywhere in the word and you can find THEIR version of coffee. And isn’t it great to share one with a local (see above)?

Overall, coffee is awesome. It makes you happy, healthy and wise.

But next time you want some, be aware of the following.

6 mistakes to avoid when getting coffee

Coffee is everywhere. And generally, it’s a fine part of your daily meal plan.

Yes, you can have it. 

But here’s the deal:

Coffee of any type (or quantity) is not necessarily a good idea.

Why?

Not all coffee is created equal.

Here’s what you should avoid.

Cream and Sugar

I get it. You don’t love the taste of coffee. But you do love the effects it has on performance, energy, etc.

So you use cream and sugar to turn it into a liquid cookie.

The problems here are obvious. Dairy is disastrous, and sugar is a killer.

If you must sweeten the deal, use almond milk and a bit of stevia instead.

Bulletproof Coffee

Don’t let the clever name fool you. Bulletproof coffee is NOT good for you.

Why?

Bulletproof coffee is basically coffee blended with butter.

That’s right. Butter coffee.

Now, I’m all about blending things to improve its taste.

And I’m all about adding non-conventional things to drinks to enhance results, texture, etc.

But butter in coffee is where we draw the line.

Sure, the “inventor” of this drink will tout its benefits. And he’ll say it’s a complete and perfect substitute for breakfast.

It might even taste delicious, too.

But don’t be fooled, people.

Butter is still dairy. It’s one of the highest fat forms of it, too.

And thinking butter is suddenly good for you if mixed with a secret coffee blend and some supplements is just plain silly.

Note: Dave Asprey, the guy behind Bulletproof coffee has a similar story to mine and now works in the same space (health and wellness promotion). It’s probably not in my best interest to criticize his magic formula when he could just as easily criticize mine. Plus, we could probably both benefit from touting each other’s stuff. Oh well, here’s to honesty and forthrightness! Hey, Dave!

Trademarked Starbucks Drinks

Coffee is pretty low in calories, right?

Yes, generally.

But not when it has a name trademarked by Starbucks.

You know, Caramel Macchiato? Mocha Frappuccinos®? Pumpkin Spice Lattes?

These drinks are like eating a piece of cake.

Fine on a special occasion. But, not good for you at all.

So much sugar and calories (not to mention all the artificial colors and flavors).

Delicious, yes.

Something you should consider coffee (and consume regularly)? No way.

Fast Food Coffee

Coffee fits into the fast food culture perfectly.

• Get it fast.
• Get it anywhere.
• Get it in a form that’s pretty horrible for you.

It’s true. For the most part, fast food coffee drinks are terrible for you.

By default, most of them come with cream. If they don’t, they come with light cream (which essentially substitutes calories for chemicals.)

Furthermore, most of the syrups added to these drinks have HFCS. If not, it’s sugar and other additives.

Yuck.

If you must get fast food coffee, ordering it “black” is the only move.

Too Much Coffee

The benefits of coffee have its limits.

Sure, a cup or two per day is fine.

But much more than that is not recommended.

Why?

Too much can cause:

• Anxiety.
• Upset stomach.
• Decreased metabolism.

Certainly, “too much” depends on several factors. Genetics, metabolism, diet, exercise, etc.

But if you’re wondering if you’re having too much, you probably are. And thus, you might want to tone it down.

Green Coffee Extract

Green Coffee Extract isn’t coffee, but it’s worth mentioning here.

It’s sold as a supplement and touted for its “magic weight loss properties” by Dr. Oz.

You can read more about Dr. Oz, his supplements here.

But we’re probably best just moving on. 🙂

Your Best Bet with Coffee

Want to know the best way to have coffee? Enjoy it in its most natural form.

Black.

Just coffee and water.

If you must, use almond milk and some stevia (or another respectable sugar-free syrup).

But no matter what you do, get the good stuff. Don’t settle.

I like a dark, organic French roast.

Why?

Because as Jimmie in “Pulp Fiction” says, “I buy the gourmet expensive stuff because when I drink it I want to taste it.”

References

Bullet Proof Executive: Recipe: How to Make Bulletproof Coffee®…And Make Your Morning Bulletproof Too
Gizmodo: Debunking the Bullet Proof Coffee Myth
Vivacious Veggie. Do you know what’s in your coffee?
Mayo Clinic: Caffeine: How much is too much?
Mayo Clinic: Is coffee good or bad for me?
Small Notebook: McDonald’s Iced Coffee: Just say no
McDonalds: McDonald’s USA Ingredients Listing for Popular Menu Items 

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