If you never have enough energy, can’t sleep, feel wired but tired, or can’t go a day without a few cups of coffee to keep you going, then it’s time to heal your relationship with caffeine.
I’m hoping this post will be helpful for some of you, as I would have loved to have found something like this when I was looking to give up/cut back on coffee and didn’t know where to start.
I was an avid coffee drinker from the age of 13. Sad to say, but it’s true! I had my first cup of coffee as a fun treat when I was 10 years old, started drinking it regularly as a pre-teen, and by the time I hit high school I was a full-blown addict drinking a cup, or two (or three) a day.
College only made it worse (I also worked at Starbucks during those years so… free coffee lol). I would drink coffee or espresso ALL DAY LONG! I could literally drink a latte at midnight while studying and fall asleep 20 minutes later. Needless to say, I had built up quite the tolerance and quite a crippling habit as well.
I spent the first part of my adult years as a Kindergarten teacher. Teaching and coffee go together like PB & J. So my addiction worsened (which I didn’t think was possible).
Later on, as a health coach, I would come across a ton of research that pointed at too much caffeine as problematic, yet I would ignore it and jump on the bandwagon of coffee-centered health trends like Bullet Proof coffee to make myself feel better about my daily habit.
Caffeine can stimulate the release of stress hormones, contribute to breast and ovarian cysts, raise blood pressure, and negatively impact fertility, amongst other health complications…
I finally had my own personal awakening when I saw firsthand how my caffeine habit was affecting my pre-existing hormonal issues. Yet for some of you, maybe the recommendation to cut back caffeine is coming from your health care provider and you just don’t know how you’re going to do it.
When I decided to cut back on my caffeine I was on the search for health-promoting coffee alternatives and I was pleasantly surprised with my findings.
The following alternatives made transitioning away from coffee a much more manageable, and dare I say… an enjoyable experience. I found products that are meant to be brewed like actual coffee, using either a french press or a drip coffee maker, for those people like me who truly enjoy the morning ritual of making a cup o’ Joe. I also found options that were quick and easy, making me ponder how much time and energy I used to spend on my coffee each morning.
If you are a habitual coffee drinker and are looking to cut the caffeine, I recommend weaning yourself off gradually, starting with a mix of 3/4 coffee to 1/4 “coffee alternative” and then lowering the coffee ratio each day until you can cut it all the way out! That way you avoid the nasty withdrawal symptoms that come with quitting caffeine cold turkey.
Made solely from roasted figs! (Figs are one of the most alkaline fruits and are rich in minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, selenium, and zinc! This beverage has a bright yet still bold taste and is a deep brown color that truly has the look of coffee lol)
Chaga Latte- Ground Chaga Mushroom Beverage
(Chaga mushroom is rich in Vitamins A, C, B, D, and E and minerals such as manganese, iron, calcium, zinc, and selenium. It also has anti-cancer & anti-tumor properties. AND it’s high in beta-glucans which supports your immune system. To make a Chaga latte just add Chaga mushroom powder to hot water or warmed milk/alternative, sweeten, and blend until frothy.
Rasa- Adaptogenic Wellness Beverage
This blend is made from 12 organic herbs and adaptogens, including chicory, dandelion root, Chaga, and ashwagandha to name a few. It can support your body’s natural detox pathways AND help your body respond better to stress. Both of which can contribute to hormonal balance. It also has no added flavors or gunk. Very herbal yet delicious)
Cafe Capomo – Organic Maya nut beverage
(Made from just 100% Pure Capomo (Maya Nut) and cinnamon. Maya nut, also known as Ramon or Breadnut, and is full of antioxidants and is high in calcium, potassium, folate, iron, zinc, B vitamins. This has a rich, deep flavor reminiscent of a dark roast coffee)
Dandy Blend – Instant Herbal Beverage
Dandy Blend can be served hot or cold, is super inexpensive, and an excellent way to get dandelion root into your diet which is high in plant estrogens and plays a crucial role in detoxifying excess hormones in the body.
There you have it! The best coffee alternatives for when you’re ready to quit the caffeine habit. (Or when you just want a tasty caffeine-free beverage!)
Comment below with your favorite coffee alternatives for the community to try and/or let me know if you try any of these!
