Many people strive to reduce sugar in their diet for various reasons – health or weight-related. That doesn’t mean giving up their favorite morning cup of joe; with a bit of creativity in the kitchen they can still add flavor without too much added sugar and still enjoy all its healthful advantages.

Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Scooter’s Coffee all offer different varieties of flavored coffee drinks that contain up to 490 calories per serving from fats and added sugars – and many consumers are seeking healthier alternatives to these popular drinks.

As part of their effort to meet consumer demand for lower sugar beverages, manufacturers are seeking ways to reduce sugar content in these beverages. Some are experimenting with no or low-sugar milk alternatives while others are developing sweetening systems to cut back on syrups and sauces used as flavoring agents for beverages like Scooter’s coffee’s new “caramelicious” latte made using an innovative syrup. Erica Campbell from Chicago-based ADM noted how formats such as this drink play an integral role.