The Best and Worst Things to Add to Your Coffee

November 11, 2025

person adding sweetener to cup of coffee

Research has shown that black coffee is a great morning beverage choice. In addition to its proven health benefits, black coffee provides a boost in alertness and focus that many people rely on in the morning.

But what if you like your coffee sweet and creamy? Or you want to make your morning cup more interesting without canceling out the health benefits?

Megan Hollendonner, RD, LD, CNSC, a licensed dietitian at University Hospitals, offers some advice about what to add and what to avoid in your morning cup of coffee.

The Best Coffee Add-Ins

Skim and Low-Fat Milk

Packed with 13 essential vitamins and minerals, including high-quality protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin D and calcium, skim and low-fat milk are great alternatives to heavy cream and half-and-half.

“Skim milk and low-fat milk help maintain strong bones, support immune function and promote muscle repair,” says Hollendonner.

Stevia

This plant-based, sugar-free, calorie-free sweetener can help prevent blood sugar spikes. Combined with other good dietary practices, Stevia may aid in managing healthy weight and blood glucose levels.

Vanilla Extract

For increasing flavor without adding sugar, try adding a small amount of vanilla extract to your coffee. Sugar- and calorie-free, vanilla extract provides a sweet flavor and a pleasant aroma.

“Some studies have shown that the aroma of vanilla can provide a calming effect, which can be great for stressful mornings,” says Hollendonner.

Cinnamon

Adding a dash of cinnamon to your coffee can add flavor and health benefits. Studies have shown that cinnamon may help maintain good blood sugar levels, promote healthy immune function and provide anti-inflammatory effects.

Protein Powder

A recent social media trend, “proffee” is the addition of protein powder or a small amount of protein shake to your morning coffee. Depending on your nutritional needs, adding protein powder to your coffee may be a useful and convenient way to supplement protein. It may also help some people manage their weight (protein reduces hunger and promotes feelings of fullness) and support muscle development.

However, Hollendonner cautions that adding protein powder to coffee is inferior to eating a protein-rich breakfast alongside your coffee.

The Worst Coffee Add-ins

Heavy Cream/Half-and-Half

Heavy cream and half-and-half contain high amounts of saturated fat, which can increase risk of cardiovascular disease. They’re also high in calories, which can lead to excess caloric intake and weight gain.

Sugar/Sugary Syrups

Adding sugar and sugary syrups to your coffee can lead to unhealthy spikes in blood sugar and excessive calorie intake, depending on how much you use.

“One teaspoon of sugar in your cup of coffee will not have a giant impact on your overall health,” says Hollendonner. “However, if you’re adding multiple packs of sugar, this can increase your risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.”

Flavored Creamers

While tempting, these products typically contain high amounts of added sugar, artificial flavorings and additives, and unhealthy fats. A diet high in unhealthy fats and added sugar increases risk of certain health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It’s best to avoid flavored creamers, especially if you find yourself using more than the recommended serving size.

Butter

You might have heard people talking about “bulletproof coffee,” which became popular in the early 2000s. Also known as butter coffee, bulletproof coffee is a high-calorie, high-fat caffeinated drink made by adding butter and certain other ingredients to coffee. Adding butter to your coffee increases your saturated fat intake, which can elevated cholesterol levels: a known risk factor for heart disease.

A Good Habit

For most people, a sweet, whipped cream-topped coffee beverage is perfectly fine to enjoy on occasion. But if you drink coffee daily, it's important to be mindful of what you put in your cup.