Soda should never be chosen by those trying to improve their health, especially those striving to shed excess weight. Soda contains sugars and artificial sweeteners which have been linked with weight gain, tooth decay, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease – not to mention no nutritional value whatsoever! While some believe coffee to be healthier than soda – while it may contain beneficial antioxidatives – those trying to shed unwanted pounds should opt for black coffee without added milk or sweetener as this beverage contains unnecessary calories and additional sugars which should help avoid filling up on calories while enjoying healthful antioxidants instead.

Make your morning cup of joe healthier by cutting calories and caffeine intake. Reduce sugar in your coffee, switch to decaf, or use non-dairy alternatives like almond, soy or rice milk as your milk alternative. Honey can also add sweetness without increasing caloric intake.

Though coffee does contain caffeine, its amounts aren’t nearly what many assume. A 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola has 34 milligrams while an average cup of coffee may have between 70-140 milligrams; you should not exceed 400 milligrams daily as too much can lead to anxiety, headaches, stomachaches and more.

Your caffeine consumption can be reduced by drinking your coffee first thing in the morning with milk and lowering its sweetening use. Some experts suggest limiting yourself to no more than two cups of coffee/tea and three to four eight-ounce cans of soda per week.

Coffee may provide small amounts of vitamin B3 and potassium. You can enjoy it iced, with milk or half and half, or in its traditional black form. Those looking to manage their blood sugar first thing in the morning might benefit from using stevia as an alternative sweetener in their cup of joe.

Action on Sugar’s recent survey exposes all of the sugar found in popular hot beverages, and their results are astounding: one can of Coke contains eight teaspoons, while a Venti White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks contains 73.8 grams.

While some physicians advocate that having one or two servings of soda each week may be healthy, most agree it should be avoided to ensure optimal health. Empty calories found in soda can contribute to weight gain and obesity which in turn lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, cholesterol levels and diabetes – with artificial sweeteners found in diet sodas even being linked with cancer and other health issues.

If you must indulge, opt for diet versions as these will contain less sugar. If soda remains your beverage of choice, consider switching to low-cal artificially sweetened drinks such as seltzer water or sparkling or plain bottled water as healthy options instead.