Guilt-Free, Soul-Warming Drinks For Fall

By Louis S. Crivelli, II, DC

Ideal Greenbelt

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Guilt-Free, Soul-Warming Drinks For Fall

If you love festive hot bevvies but want to stay on track with your weight loss or maintenance goals, here are some perfect options to try.

Chai Tea with Almond Milk

To keep your Chai waistline friendly, make the tea from a tea bag and steep for a few minutes. Add one ounce (30 ml) of unsweetened almond or low-fat milk and stir in some of your favorite sugarless sweetener to create the full effect for a fraction of the calories.

London Fog

Start by brewing a strong cup of Earl Grey tea and add a pinch of dried lavender. While the tea steeps, steam about half a cup of your favorite unsweetened milk (unsweetened almond milk works perfectly for a no-carb option) either by heating and stirring in a pan over the stove, or warming in the microwave. Strain the tea into your mug, pour in the steamed milk, add a couple drops of vanilla extract, and sweeten lightly.

Anti-Inflammatory Spicy Apple Cider Vinegar Goodness

Start with 1-4 teaspoons of unfiltered apple cider vinegar in your mug, add lemon juice to your preference, and tap in a dash each of ginger (fresh grated or dried ground), ground turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Fill the rest of your mug with hot water and add a tiny bit of sweetener to taste. Not only is this hot drink free of calories, but all three spices have natural anti-inflammatory properties.

Mexican Hot Chocolate or Chai Tea

For either drink: Start by adding about 115 ml of cool water to a mixer bottle and top the other half with 115 ml of your favorite unsweetened milk (if you’re in Phase 1 of Ideal Protein, use only water).

Hot Chocolate: Add one tbsp. cocoa powder to the water and milk mixture, along with a dash of cinnamon, a smidge of chili powder, and a couple drops of vanilla extract. Shake to blend. Pour the cold drink into either a saucepan to heat slowly over the stove (stir often), or into your mug.

Chai Tea: Add a couple drops of vanilla extract to the water and milk mixture, along with a dash of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Shake to blend. Brew a strong cup of Chai tea and stir in the liquid mixture to taste. If you like a really creamy, rich cup of Chai, warm the liquid mix on the stove.

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte

Brew coffee however you normally brew it. Steam or warm your favorite unsweetened milk and stir in: a few drops of vanilla, and a healthy pinch (about ¼ teaspoon or to taste) of pumpkin pie spice. Add the spiced milk to your coffee, along with a smidge of sweetener, and enjoy.