Who doesn’t love a deliciously warm beverage on a cold winter’s day? It’s that time of year where the big chains and local coffee shops alike add some of our favorite seasonal drinks to their menu, and while we’re all about the occasional indulgence (we’re only human, after all), you might not realize just how indulgent those fancy lattes actually are. Chock full of calories and loaded up with artificial ingredients that we can barely pronounce, these sugary caffeine pick-me-ups come at a price your body won’t like. But before you panic at the thought of a world without Starbucks Peppermint Mochas, know that you don’t have to give up on your liquid sweet tooth altogether.
Integrative Holistic Nutritionist Torie Borrelli, of The Vida Well, has come to the rescue with these 3 healthy, nutrient-dense alternatives that you can try at home—all of the taste and none of the guilt. Pull out your most Pinterest-worthy mugs because you’re going to want to post these once you try ‘em.
Torie’s note: “I am a sucker for a good spicy chai latte and this version is a great way to get in your nutrients. The bioavailability of turmeric’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties is increased by over 53% when heated, paired with a good fat (coconut milk) and combined with black pepper. With this drink, I tend to not use sweetener, however, I know some of you need that extra bit of sweetness so just adjust according to your taste buds.”
Scary fact: Did you know a Starbucks Spiced Chai Latte has more sugar than a Snickers bar? Yikes!
The Recipe: Turmeric Spiced Chai Latte
Servings: 2
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Torie’s note: “This is my spin on a hot chocolate that uses real cacao instead of the packaged kind, which is filled with sugars and inflammatory ingredients. The richness of the full fat coconut milk plus the healthy oil will give your brain the nutrients it needs, like antioxidants, magnesium, zinc, potassium and copper, while also making a decadent drink. Why cacao versus cocoa? Cacao is made by cold-pressed unroasted cocoa beans.This process keeps the living enzymes in the cocoa and doesn’t destroy the nutrients. Cocoa may look the same, but it is not even close. Cocoa powder has been roasted at high heats, which destroys the live enzymes, which changes the molecular structure and decreases the nutritional value. Manufacturers usually add sugary ingredients to this form as well.”
The Recipe: Coconut Hot Chocolate
Servings: 2
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Torie’s note: “Join me in my healthy addiction to Bulletproof Coffee, and if you can’t do the java, substitute for black tea. Enjoy!”
The Recipe: Bulletproof Pumpkin Spiced ‘Latte’
Servings: 2
Ingredients:
Instructions:
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These drinks almost have us wishing it would stay cold forever. Almost… But, we’ll definitely have fun enjoying them as long as we can.
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