Around the holidays (or any time of year, really), a is yummy and festive. But like vanilla lattes and other specialty coffee drinks, peppermint coffees tend to be high in the unwanted ingredients we've discussed thus far. A splash of peppermint extract in your coffee at home, however, can bring that delicious minty flavor without all the added sugar and fat. Again, add just a small amount to keep alcohol levels in your coffee to a minimum.

Though absolutely delicious, many of the classic coffee mix-ins aren't the healthiest choice and can start your day on the wrong foot nutritionally. "For example, flavored creamers may contain high amounts of added sugar, artificial flavorings, and/or preservatives," says Ehsani. Added sugars promote inflammation in the body, potentially contributing to chronic disease development, while many food additives, though deemed safe to consume, don't have the robust long-term evidence to fully understand their health implications.

Sugar-free or low-calorie sweeteners and syrups may be seemingly smart solutions here, but they can also be problematic. "These often include artificial sweeteners that can negatively impact the microbiome in the large intestine, impacting gut and overall health," says Whitaker. Meanwhile, many creamers -- or any butter, coconut oil, cream, half and half, or whole milk added to coffee -- boast high levels of saturated fat. "These can raise LDL (low-density lipoprotein or bad) cholesterol levels and negatively impact heart health if consumed excessively," Whitaker adds. While some evidence has found saturated fat to not be as correlated to heart disease as once thought, it's best to consume with moderation to skirt any potential cholesterol concerns.

And while low-fat creamers may seem like the solution to this conundrum, these often aren't the best choices, either. "Low-fat creamers often contain more added sugar than their traditional counterparts to keep the flavor and texture of the low-fat creamer similar to full-fat creamer," Whitaker says.

However, there are exceptions to all of these rules. Reading the ingredients list and nutrition facts panel of your favorite coffee add-ins to determine added sugar, artificial sweetener, saturated fat, trans fat, and is the best way to gauge if it's a healthy choice or not. The best options will be free from or very low in these nutrients and ingredients.