The Three ways Black Coffee Grounds a Lean Body and Sensory Mind
How do you take your daily dose of Java juice? Many of us are devoted to cappucinos, flat whites, caramel macchiatos, double-doubles, but are concerned about the effects on waistlines. It may be time for a rejuvenating tweak today.
The stark truth is that liquid calories play a huge part in weight loss or gain. When it comes to coffee, our cups serve countless purposes throughout the day: alarm clock, comforting friend, boredom crutch, social lubricant, commuting companion, status symbol. Many dieters tend to focus on their meal plans and forget (perhaps accidentally on purpose) that each coffee they insouciantly sip or assertively chug can cause a 200-300 calorie dent in their daily allowance. For those who can, it may be worthwhile switching to black.
First, black coffee lovers already have a head start in the strategy to get lean. Compare this scenario. A cappuccino lover and a mistress of the dark are both doing the same thing, savoring brew, to beat the 4pm slump. The former will have to run at top speed for 15 minutes to burn this off later, while the latter savors those 5 calories a cup calmly - with space for an elegant Neuhaus praline.
Second, drinking coffee black allows for a deeper appreciation of complex flavors wherever you are in the world. There are almost 700 flavor compounds in a single coffee bean, not to mention roasting and brewing techniques that layer on beautiful nuances. So, on cafe-hops and international travel, routine enjoyment can turn into a memorable learning experience whether it is a Turkish coffee, French café allongé, American filter, or Dutch instant Douwe Egberts. They all taste amazing straight up and hot. How else would you discern the complex notes of each roast, each bean origin? Dunking the fruits of intense Ecuadorean or Brazilian ingenuity in lukewarm milk and refined sugar - in a world where prices have risen 21% in the past 12 months (according to WSJ) seems confounding. Would we add cream to a Pinot Noir? Or, shake up a Macallan ‘62 into a Scotch Sour?
Third, caffeine in black coffee helps you feel full for much longer and is an excellent way to prevent overindulgence of desserts. The way this works is by always pairing any sweet treat with a cup, and it will help you stretch out the occasion plus cut down mental cravings for more sugar.
It is important not to overdo black coffee. Everything in moderation is best, and one should not exceed 3 cups a day. Treat it as a treat so that each time you seek comfort in a beverage, your mind does not automatically prefer fatty and sugary dopamine hits. It will take some time to adjust to a rawer and more bitter profile. But after three weeks or so, tastebuds adapt and you may find sweet and milky coffees taste a little too heavy.
Happy savoring!