Coffee and Carbs: A Simple Answer to a Simple Question
Google the phrase “coffee and carbs” and you will find a ton of articles discussing whether you should limit coffee consumption while restricting your intake of carbohydrates. Perhaps this is due to some of the carb restrictions imposed by diets like the popular keto diet. Well know that you have nothing to worry about from coffee itself.
The idea behind restricting carbs is to encourage your body to turn to fat as a source of energy. As the thinking goes, the more the body relies on fat, the easier it is to lose weight. Limit carbohydrates and the body has no choice but to turn to fat as an energy source.
The point of this post is not to discuss the pros and cons of a low-carb diet. That is best left to nutrition experts. Rather, we simply want to address the question of whether coffee should be excluded from a low-carb diet. In a word, no it should not.
No Carbs in Black Coffee
Black coffee has virtually no carbs. Neither does straight espresso or Americano. Carbohydrates do not come into play until you start adding extras like cream and sugar. Indeed, those additives can be quite carb-heavy, which is why some diet experts tell people to avoid coffee. They assume that their clients are unwilling to drink their coffee black.
If black coffee works for you, drink it to your heart’s content and do not worry about carbs. Keep reading for a few suggestions for getting around the bitterness of a typical drip-brew coffee.
Try Cold Brew Coffee
One of the best ways to avoid the bitterness of black coffee is to go with cold brew. The cold brew process results in a less bitter coffee that some people even describe as slightly sweet. Such sweetness really depends on the brand of coffee you choose, but less bitterness will be consistent across the board.
Drinking cold brew with a couple of ice cubes further reduces the bitter taste. As an added benefit, it is quite refreshing. Drinking an ice-cold cup of cold brew can be just what you are looking for after a heavy workout.
Switch to a Lighter Roast
Another thing you can do to reduce the bitterness of black coffee is switch to a lighter roast. A lighter roast will give you a lighter color and a less obtrusive taste, so you should be able to get away without added sugar or cream. If you still want to add something, look for a non-dairy creamer with a low-carb count or choose a non-dairy milk – like, almond or soymilk. Non-dairy milks tend to be lower in carb content.
Black coffee has almost no carbs. If you are on a low-carb diet, that is good to know. In the meantime, Galaxie Coffee would be more than happy to serve your office anywhere in the greater New York Metro. Contact us to learn more about our coffees, teas, juices, and beverage equipment.