Coffee Coffee
When people tell me they don’t like coffee I find it hard to understand because it is something I look forward to every day…and just the smell of it makes me happy. I have come to find out in my autoimmune journey that not all coffee is created equal and it’s really important to investigate just where your beans are harvested, if they are heavily sprayed with pesticides, and what is their journey like to my home. I’ll give a brief outline of some of the disturbing facts that you might now know:
Coffee is one of the most heavily sprayed crops in the world. That means unless you are buying certified organic beans you are most likely ingesting pesticides.
Coffee beans often sit in warehouses, on ships and in dark moist places which makes the perfect environment for mold to grow. For people who struggle with autoimmune issues or tummy pain, this is an important fact to think about. Mold in the gut is definitely problematic and a health concern.
How your coffee is harvested, as well as how the workers are paid and treated is very important.
How fresh the beans are when they arrive to your favorite store is a fact you probably don’t think much about. But a three month journey vs a three day journey makes all the difference in the quality of the product.
And lastly, the roasting process can make a huge difference in how our body responds to the beans. Less acidic is important as we age or for those of us who feel tummy pain or acid reflux after a cup.
Besides the actual beans, the creamer we use can add to the richness of the flavor. When I was a Certified Whole30 Coach the biggest push back I got from clients was the no dairy or sweetener rule. I heard someone say “If you need cream and sugar to make your coffee taste good, you are drinking crappy coffee” This is a factual statement as I now allow the amazing taste of the beans to come through. That being said I still like a little splash of non dairy creamer and here are my favorites:
Nutpods Unsweetened which is sold in stores, on Amazon or on their website. I’m NOT a fan of their Keto line with fake sweeteners so stick to the unsweetened.
Califia Heavy Whipping Cream is a product I use all the time in soups, dishes that call for cream and in my coffee. It’s thick and creamy and delicious. Hard to believe it’s not actual dairy!
Canned Coconut Milk tastes delicious and a shelf stable option when you don’t have anything in the refrigerator. Want a thicker cream? You can scoop the cream off the top of the can or buy the Coconut Cream in a can which is all cream, no milk.
For those who want a little sweetness added I would recommend these recipes. You can whip up a batch on the weekend and use it throughout the week. No dairy but a tad sweet. I do use something like this in an afternoon iced coffee for a treat now and then.
Plain Coffee Creamer (made with dates)
Hope these suggestions help if you are wanting a healthier cup of joe! Let me know if you try any of the products or recipes.
