6. Sugary coffees
A hit of caffeine first thing in the morning is non-negotiable for many of us in order to face the day. A straight, black, unsweetened coffee or a white americano made with a splash of semi-skimmed or oat milk is very low in calories. But, if we add sugar, even just a teaspoon, we’re really ramping up the calorific value of our morning hot drink.
The NHS guidelines recommend that adults consume no more than the equivalent of seven sugar cubes per day, ideally less. So, if we add a teaspoon to our coffee, and we have multiple cups per day, then we’re already close to that figure, just through drinks alone.
Then, once we stray into cappuccino and latte territory, we might unwittingly be loading up on hidden calories – especially so if we’re a fan of flavours and syrups that are common in the autumn and winter months. (Hallowe’en themed pumpkin spiced latte or Christmassy hazelnut flat white, anyone?)
These syrups might taste good, but they’re pretty much pure sugar with some artificial flavourings and can significantly add to both our sugar and calorie intake.
So, stick to black coffee, or add a splash of milk, and if you take sugar, try to gradually reduce how much you add until you’re drinking your coffee, sugar free.
