If you opt for fair trade coffee, you get the added feel-good bonus of knowing that your coffee was sourced using trade standards that ensure that growers will earn a minimum price for their goods, connecting directly with importers and being able to hold on to their land while escaping poverty.

Spice It Up

You can kick up the nutritional value of your coffee by adding a dash of cinnamon or a dose of cocoa. Coffee is a naturally rich source of chromium, which supports healthy blood sugar levels. Cinnamon is another rich source of this essential nutrient, giving your drink a great sugar-regulating boost, and it may even help you avoid cravings for sugary snacks. Because cinnamon has been shown to lower cholesterol and triglycerides in diabetics, it has heart health-boosting benefits as well.

Cocoa is another tasty addition to your coffee that’s full of health benefits. This addition will give you a dose of antioxidants, and it can even reduce your risk for heart disease. Be sure to add unsweetened cocoa to avoid an unnecessary dose of sugars.

Avoid Artificial Creamers

Adding cream to your coffee is a great way to cut the bitterness of the bean brew, because the fat in the cream reduces the bitter taste and adds a richness with a natural sweet tone that will make your drink more robust. However, artificial creamers are full of chemicals, trans fats and unnatural flavorings. They’re often made with hydrogenated vegetable oils, corn syrup, and other sweeteners that pile on the calories and take away from the health benefits of coffee.

Worried about the calories in full-fat cream? Don’t be. Studies have shown that high-fat dairy products are actually linked to reduced risks for obesity, and may actually help you lose weight when consumed in moderation.