I don't know any other way to put this confessional: I love coffee. Not because I'm consciously craving caffeine. For me, it's all about the smooth taste, the rich aroma, and the cozy ambience associated. I love wrapping my fingers around a warm mug while burrowing into a snug nook of the coffeehouse, the rocking chair in my family room, or even that cinderblock corner of my dorm. When I wanted to help around my mom's kitchen, I would grind the dark roasted beans to a fine grain and start the coffee maker. Sharing coffee was a gateway to sharing experience, thoughts, both daily and philosophical. Coffee created a connection so that I could tell my dad I was worried about my college choices or that I was unsure of what I wanted to do with my life.
And they say loving coffee is a bad thing? Studies have shown that drinking 24 oz. of coffee a day decreases your risk of Parkinson's disease by 40% and your risk of Alzheimer's disease by about 20%. Coffee may reduce the risk of diabetes, heart attack, gallstones, kidney stones, and cirrhosis. According to You: The Owner's Manual by Michael F. Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., "caffeine is substantial . . . It can help you live three to six months longer." Apparently, coffee even has a significant amount of antioxidants (http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20050808/coffee-is-no-1-source-of-antioxidants). Supposedly just the aroma can boost your mood. You're energized, satisfied, glowing.
Of course, like anything, there are drawbacks. Coffee is probably not so good for the calcium in your bones, and no one wants osteoporosis when they're older. Adding skim milk to your coffee, having a skim milk latte or cappuccino, would combat that effect. Also, some people are caffeine-sensitive, like one of my best friends. Coffee, like other dark beverages, can stain your teeth. Great. There goes my chance at Hollywood. However, drinking water after your coffee can help rinse the residue away. Brushing your teeth or chewing gum afterwards is useful, too.
The most irritating thing about food research is that they always have contradictions. Coffee is good, coffee is bad. Soy is good, soy is bad. You can only read so much before your brain explodes and you scream at the top of your silent lungs: How can I ever make the right choice? I'm just a human being!
Moderation. Having a cup or two of coffee every day? Probably not the end of the world. I like my coffee black or with a little skim or soy milk. I'm an amateur for a coffee connoisseur, but here are a few I know to be tasty: Dunkin Donuts, Green Mountain, La Madeleine's French Roast, Community Coffee. The coffee ‘smoothies' at Smoothie King? Insanely delicious and a much safer bet than the loaded iced coffees, mocha shakes, and java chillers of various other chains. (Beware.) According to my father, the coffee nut I inherit from, even McDonald's premium roast is just fine. (You may have to ask how fresh the coffee is. From my experience working there, the pot is just left on the burner for a long time. Burnt coffee is a no-go.)
What's important is to keep track of what you add to your coffee. Skip the pure creamers, syrups, and sugar packets. Spice it up with a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg. Coffee should energize you, not weigh you down!
Since Starbucks is pretty much accessible anywhere and has installed sites on some college campuses, here are a few recommendations for you to get your coffee fix without overdoing it.
Safe Starbucks Stints (Tall)
- Hot Brewed Coffee (without sugar or cream) - 5 calories
- Nonfat Cappuccino - 60 calories
- Nonfat Caffé Latte - 100 calories
- Nonfat Caramel Macchiato, hot or iced - 140 calories, 1 g fat
- Nonfat Sugar-Free Vanilla Latte, hot or iced - 90 calories
- Iced Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte - 60 calories
- Caffé Americano, hot or iced - 10 calories [note: this is not milky like your caffé latte or sweet; it's plain espresso with hot water... aka very bitter for most people]
- Iced Coffee "with classic syrup" - 60 calories
- Iced Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte - 60 calories
New to the scene, the healthy menu at Starbucks is useful for college students in a hurry. Such options include: whole-grain oatmeal with dried fruits or nuts; a whole-grain pastry baked with berries; a chewy fruit & nut bar; a multigrain roll with your choice of almond butter or fruit preserves; an apple bran muffin; or a protein plate of cheddar cheese, fruit, hard-boiled egg, whole-wheat bagel and peanut butter.
Makes my instant oatmeal packet seem kind of forlorn...
Some Sites to Check Out on Coffee:
For those under the age of 30, health is rarely a top priority. But, a certain fitness guru from the Windy City has a simple plan of action to get college students in shape by the year 2010. Join our Chicago writer, Dennise Pineda for the details. 
