Keeping healthy is something many of us are making a conscious effort to do! In 2019, the UK market for the health and fitness industries grew by 4.2%, taking it up to a huge £5.1 billion. A worthwhile investment, as maintaining your physical health can improve both your mental and emotional health too.
Here at Esquires Coffee, our coffee franchise is dedicated to providing the best services and products for today’s coffee consumer! With our customers at the heart of what we do, we reveal the small changes you can make to your coffee and how it can contribute towards a healthier lifestyle
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
There are plenty of simple life choices you can make to improve your health, from cutting down on takeaways to joining a gym.
The good news is being a bit healthier doesn’t mean giving up the things you love. Sometimes moderation is key, or in some situations, you can swap out for a healthy alternative.
Healthy Choices for Coffee
Drinking coffee, in general, isn’t considered unhealthy but the option to add sugary syrups, whipped cream, sugar, chocolate sprinkles and other ingredients may mean your daily brew contains a lot more calories than you think.
So, if you’ve found yourself wondering if your full-fat vanilla mocha with extra cream is doing you any good, we’ve come up with our list of ‘healthy’ coffee options, so you can continue to visit your favourite coffee shop for your caffeine fix.
Americano
A bit of an easy one to start but as americano is simply espresso with added hot water, it is naturally low in calories and doesn’t contain any fats or sugar (unless you add something to it).
The average serving (16 oz) of americano contains just 15 calories. What’s more, 25ml of whole milk contains just 15 calories too, so don’t worry if you don’t like drinking it black.
Espresso
Espresso is the base of most coffees. Espresso is made by forcing a small amount of hot water through finely-ground coffee beans under pressure, resulting in a small amount of concentrated coffee with a thick crema.
Whilst being a low-fat option, espresso also has a multitude of health benefits and some studies even suggest that drinking it can help you to lose weight. A shot of espresso contains 3-5 calories, as well as providing you with a hit of caffeine. Find out more about the health benefits of coffee with our guide!
Cortado
If espresso on its own is a bit too much on the palate, a cortado is an excellent option. Made with a shot of espresso at its base, an equal amount of steamed milk is added. This little drink is a bit like a tiny, delicious latte!
Cinnamon
If you like to add a little flavour to your coffee, consider ditching the sugary syrups and opting for a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Slightly sweet and fiery, cinnamon is a spice that not only tastes great but has a range of health benefits. Full of antioxidants, it also has anti-inflammatory properties and could reduce the risk of heart disease.
Milk
While higher in fat, and therefore calories, whole milk is packed full of nutrients.
It is a fantastic source of protein, vitamin B5 and calcium, as well as several other nutrients that are essential for people of all ages.
Skimmed and semi-skimmed milks have had some of the fat taken out, resulting in a drink that is lower in calories. Stripping milk of the fat, however, does mean that the nutrient content is lower, so it’s worth considering whether you’re looking to reduce calories or increase nutrients.
Alternative Milks
Popular choices for those who do not drink traditional milk, there are several varieties of alternative milks available.
None of them provide as many nutrients as cow’s milk; however, they can still be beneficial. Top of the rankings for nutrient-rich milk alternatives include:
• Soy
• Pea
• Coconut
• Oat milk.
Beware of sweetened versions, however, as they can contain high levels of sugar.
Tea and Iced Tea
Not technically a coffee option; however, tea is also a fantastic drink that holds its own range of benefits.
Some teas, such as green and chamomile, are known to have a variety of health benefits.
Black tea provides your body with antioxidants which are linked to a series of health benefits. If you avoid the sweet options made with sugary syrups, ice brew tea infusions are a fantastic cool option for warmer days.
Feeling thirsty? You can find many of these drinks and more on the extensive Esquires menu. Our highly trained baristas craft our Fair-Trade coffee beans into delicious drinks of perfection.
Esquires Coffee is an expanding coffee shop franchise in the UK – explore more information on franchising and the opportunities we offer.
About the author - Jack Anderson
Jack has been working in the franchise sector for over 12 years and is our in-house guru on all things business! Jack is also a keen hiker and can be found in some of the UK's best walking spots on the weekends.
