6 New Ways To Flavour Your Coffee (Without Added Sugar!)

Fancy hazelnut lattes may taste delicious, but they’re loaded with sugar (mostly added sugars from syrups and sweeteners), and end up spiking your blood glucose levels. When that blood sugar comes crashing down, you'll be even more tired than you were pre-latte. Even worse, added sugars can increase your risk of dying from heart disease. (Keep in mind that even honey, agave nectar and molasses are considered added sugars. As for naturally occurring sugars in produce and milk products, you typically don't need to worry about those unless you're limiting your kilojoule intake.)

That’s not to say you can’t enjoy coffee—for many of us, it’s a nonnegotiable!—or even sweetened coffee, for that matter. The trick is to boost flavour without added sugars or too much cream so you can enjoy the health perks of your brew: Research shows regular coffee drinkers have less risk of heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.

Power through your day without crashing using one of these six tasty coffee flavourings:

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Cinnamon

Let’s start with a classic swap: Nix that packet of sugar for a teaspoon of cinnamon to flavour your java and distract from its bitterness—without added sugar and kilojoules. Make sure you’re using pure powdered cinnamon (not cinnamon sugar), or consider storing your coffee beans with a few sticks of cinnamon to infuse them with flavour.

Natural cinnamon does even more than elevate your brew: A study from the Human Nutrition Research Center found that just ½ teaspoon of the spice every day can increase your cells’ sensitivity to insulin. This is the opposite effect of added sugar, which can contribute to insulin resistance.

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Unsweetened cacao powder

Stirring cacao powder into your coffee is one of the easiest ways to reap the benefits of chocolate’s flavanoids, which are antioxidants that can help ward off environmental damage to the cells and improve blood flow to the brain and heart. Even more, it lends your coffee the rich flavour of pure chocolate without added sugar—unlike a syrupy mocha. Look for a product that’s unsweetened and 100% cacao powder.

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Vanilla extract

If you’re an avid vanilla latte drinker, you don’t have to give up your favorite flavour to keep sugar in check. Remember that vanilla is just that—a flavour—not a sugar, so get down to its root with a few drops of vanilla extract in your coffee. Vanilla extract has 0 kilojoules and 0 sugars (compare that to the 320 kilojoules and 20 g of sugar in a serving of vanilla syrup flavouring). Start with one drop and add to taste; a little goes a long way.

Nutmeg

Just 1/2 teaspoon of this autumnal staple will give you all those warm-and-cozy fall vibes you love in your brew, especially if you pair with a touch of cinnamon or cardamom. To make a spiced coffee, drop a pod of green cardamom into your coffee beans before grinding and sprinkle your brewed coffee with nutmeg and cinnamon (or just stir ground cardamom right in with the other spices).

Keep in mind, a teensy bit of nutmeg is all you need: As little as two teaspoons to two tablespoons can actually produce a high similar to that of marijuana, with potential side effects like nausea, heart palpitations, and hallucinations, according to Columbia University.

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Ground coconut flakes

Hang on to summer vibes with the tropical flavour of unsweetened coconut flakes in your coffee. Shake them into your coffee beans when grinding—think 1 tsp per cup—for delicious flavour minus the unhealthy sugars.

Coconut flakes are also a good alternative to pouring coconut oil in your mug—we’re looking at you, bulletproof coffee lovers. The American Heart Association advises limiting coconut oil due to its high levels of saturated fat.

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Orange juice

Thank Americans for this wacky but refreshing combo. Orange juice topped with espresso exploded in popularity in Arizona last year (possibly because it grows many citrus fruits). This odd mix goes by a variety of names at coffee shops, from “Good Morning” to “Sunrise,” but is particularly popular with Instagrammers thanks to its orange and brown gradient.

Here's why it's worth a sip: Orange juice has natural sugars and sweetness that brighten up an espresso, plus just ¾ cup of orange juice gives you 155% of your daily dose of vitamin C. (Not to mention, it’s an easy way to avoid dirtying two glasses on your breakfast table—convenience at its best!) If you’re not quite ready to mix OJ with espresso, simply rub an orange peel around your coffee cup rim or add just a few drops of juice to your coffee for a taste test.