My coffee saga continues with today’s post about the alternatives to your regular cup of jo. For those of you who haven’t caught up, I’ve given up my morning coffee for some simple herbal tea. (Read more about the effects of caffeine here.) I am no longer dealing with the jitters and frequent trips to the bathroom and have come to enjoy my morning cup of brewed ginger tea, which also soothes my stomach. If you want to learn more about my struggles with coffee, check out my post here. In the meantime, if you yourself have similar issues with coffee but are looking for a good substitute, check out this list of alternatives!

Matcha (Green) Tea

Long before my coffee break up, I would occasionally enjoy a cup of matcha tea. Matcha is a highly concentrated form of green tea that comes as a powder. First, it contains the super antioxidant EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which has been studied for its weight loss, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. Curiously, EGCG can actually block some of the effects of the moderate amounts of caffeine that is found in matcha. Second, it also contains the amino acid L-Theanine, which promotes memory, concentration, and balanced moods. Third, it’s a rich source of chlorophyll, the green pigment found in green vegetables that naturally supports detoxification. Matcha also supports brain function, heart health, and longevity. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Mushroom Coffee

Next up is mushroom coffee. And no, I am not referring to any psychedelics. The medicinal mushrooms found in mushroom coffee are actually adaptogens, which help the body to adapt to stress. These mushrooms are either a single form or a blend of Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps, and Lion’s Mane. Adaptogens are amazing in that they work to improve mood, sleep, cognition, stress, and immunity. As far as brands go, my favorite would have to be Four Sigmatic. [5] [6]

Chicory Coffee

What if I told you there was a coffee alternative that was good for your gut? Enter the humble chicory root. Just like regular coffee beans, chicory root can also be processed into a roasted, ground powder and brewed into a tasty drink. In fact, many people often buy special coffee blends that contain chicory due to its rich flavor! But here’s where gut health comes in. Chicory is also an excellent source of prebiotics- specifically, inulin, a type of fiber that feeds the good bacteria down in our gut. Chicory has also been studied for its ability to aid in fat absorption since it stimulates bile production from the gallbladder. It is also a featured ingredient in Dandy Blend, an all-natural herbal coffee substitute made up of ground dandelion, barley, and beetroots. [7] [8] [9]

Yerba Mate

While it often goes unmentioned, Yerba Mate is also an alternative to coffee, provided you do well with caffeine. It contains quite a few types of beneficial compounds, including xanthines, caffeoyl derivatives, saponins, and polyphenols, which give it a slight edge as a rich source of antioxidants. Similar to matcha, Yerba Mate also contains moderate amounts of caffeine, but not as much as coffee. You can find Yerba Mate in my Fairy Blend teas, which are great alternatives to coffee! (Did I mention they’re also delicious?) [10]

Other Types of Tea (Black or Chai Tea, Red or Rooibos Tea, White tea) 

If neither matcha nor Yerba Mate floats your boat, there’s still plenty of other teas to try. There’s chai (a type of black tea), rooibos (a type of red tea), and Oolong (a type of white tea), each with varying degrees of caffeine (once more, hardly any can stand toe-to-toe with coffee’s amount). If you’re looking to avoid caffeine altogether, there are plenty of herbal alternatives, from hibiscus to jasmine. You can also make simple teas from single ingredients like peppermint or ginger. One popular type of tea is Golden Milk, which is a variation of the Indian drink known as Turmeric Milk. It usually consists of turmeric, milk (animal or plant-based), and a blend of spices, like cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. Golden Milk is especially good for inflammation and digestion, since all of the spices that are used to make it have been known to possess strong anti-inflammatory properties. The ingredients found in Golden Milk have also been studied for their ability to improve brain function, upset stomach, joint pain, and immunity. [11]

Flavored Water

Who says you have to brew something in order to wake up? Sometimes, it’s the simple things that matter. You can’t go wrong with a plain glass of water! But I get it, sometimes even water gets too boring. No worries! You can always flavor them with infusions. What I like to do is add things like fresh fruits and herbs to my water, especially as the weather gets warmer and I need something cool and refreshing. I have a few recipes on the site- Orange Rosemary Lemon and Pineapple. A popular morning wake-up drink is Lemon Water, which is a great way to get a small dose of vitamin c and hydrate!

Smoothies

On a final note, there’s also a smoothie. Again, who says you need to have coffee or eggs for breakfast? Smoothies are a multifaceted meal in one, depending on how you make them. You can pack a ton of nutrients while keeping things light and easy to digest. Moreover, smoothies typically contain fiber, protein, fat, and water. When making a smoothie, especially as a meal replacement, be sure to incorporate a source of protein, fat, and some kind of carb (you can make it high or low depending on what you use). For recipe ideas, check out what I have on the site:

Super Green Smoothie Bowl
Cherry Vanilla Protein Smoothie
Fruit Smoothie Breakfast Bowl
Popeye Smoothie

Don’t let the breakup with coffee be so hard! With a little experimentation, you can reignite your morning routine and get your groove back! I know that the transition can be a bit rough, but trust me, if you stick with it and give your body time to adjust to little to no caffeine, you’ll be good as new. Think about it- how did you get by as a kid? Until next time everyone, enjoy your mornings, and let me know if this helps down in the comments!

Sources:

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3142888/
[2]http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/chlorophyll-chlorophyllin#therapeutic-effects
[3] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-green-tea
[4] https://www.caffeineinformer.com/caffeine-content/matcha-green-tea
[5] https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/adaptogenic-or-medicinal-mushrooms
[6] https://us.foursigmatic.com/blog/the-power-of-healing-mushrooms-7-types-you-should-try-now
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27178951
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9772143
[9] https://dandyblend.com/faqs/
[10] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-benefits-of-yerba-mate#section12
[11] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/golden-milk-turmeric#section3