Learn ways to replace coffee in your diet and make healthy living choices
Learning ways to replace coffee in your diet necessitates researching some possible alternatives to coffee and why you should consider them.
Personally, I have nothing against coffee and drink it on occasion but if you are like me, you sometimes find that coffee can be a bit strong. If you are looking for an alternative to coffee that will still provide you with a bit of an energy kick then this article will help you find the perfect drink to put some pep in your step!
Why Replace Coffee?
This article is mostly for those who find the caffeine content of coffee to be a bit too much. I understand that there is some debate as to possible health risks/benefits concerning the consumption of coffee but since that science does not seem to be settled I will not be discussing it here.
Rather I would advise that you consider replacing coffee if you find that drinking it causes jitteriness, nervousness, noticeably accelerated heartbeat, or other significant undesirable side-effects.
Green Tea
Green tea is a great alternative to coffee because it has a much lower caffeine content than coffee; a cup of green tea contains about a quarter of the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee. It is also shown in certain studies to reduce the risk of having a stroke or contracting heart disease. I recommend taking it with a little bit of honey.
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Black Tea
Black tea is a good compromise between green tea and coffee; sort of a happy middle. You get a bolder flavor with black tea and it usually has about half of the caffeine of a cup of coffee. Black tea is also known to sooth upset stomachs and tastes great with a little milk and sugar.
Certain Energy Drinks
Be careful when purchasing these beverages, most energy drinks carry all the negative qualities of coffee and then some. That being said, there are a few energy drinks on the market that give a kinder, gentler boost with minimal amounts of caffeine and added vitamins and minerals.
It is important to look at the sugar content of energy drinks as well as the caffeine content and source; the best energy drinks are made from mineral water with caffeine from tea leaves. Look for organic energy drinks as they tend to have better quality ingredients than ones produced with processed sugar.
Cucumber Water
This is a good option for those looking to cut caffeine out altogether. Cucumber water is made by simply allowing cucumbers to soak in water long enough for the vitamins and minerals present in the vegetable to diffuse through the water. It contains vitamin B, potassium, magnesium, and even an anti-inflammatory that also helps improve brain function. In addition to all of these benefits it is also cheap to make and the ingredients (cucumber, water, and ice) are readily available almost everywhere.
These beverage options are great for someone looking to cut down of the caffeine intake or just try something new. Coffee isn?t the only way to start your morning or chase away the late-afternoon doldrums, so give one of these drinks a try!