So many of us reach for a cup of coffee first thing in the morning, with almost 80% of coffee drinkers making it at home. For many reasons- mostly linking to the caffeine or calories, a lot of people are constantly trying to cut their daily coffee intake down.
But, some really rely on their routine coffees to wake them up- which can make it hard to switch it out. Instead, we’ve found the best alternatives to coffee that will still boost your energy. Some which can be far healthier for you too.
If it’s caffeine you’re wanting to reduce, you can try a decaff tea or coffee if it’s the taste you like the best. However, if it’s the caffeine you want but you’re on a diet or fancy switching it up to something healthy, you’ll want to carry on reading.
Whether it’s the warmth of your cup of coffee, the flavour or the buzz I’ve got some alternatives for everyone. These substitutes for coffee will help you put the coffees down and still get the energy you need.
1. Caffeine supplements:
If you’re trying to lose weight or cut calories, this is a great option. Caffeine supplements give you the energy you need without the calories or sugar in coffee.
Monica Nelson has reviewed the best caffeine supplements, and shows it’s best to find one that contains natural caffeine and doesn’t overdose – which leads to a crash.
A caffeine supplement can also help towards improving cognitive functions, such as memory, concentration and focus. If you take a pre-workout, you could also find a caffeine supplement useful as you can just take a capsule rather than a drink.
It’s important to know how much caffeine is in your supplement and what else you’re putting into your body. Monica recommends a caffeine supplement with no more than 75g of caffeine to avoid crashing or jitters. Other key ingredients to look for are L-Theanine, L-Tyrosine and B-vitamins.
2. Green Tea:
Green Tea is a great substitute for your coffees. It contains L-Theanine- one of the great ingredients we mentioned earlier.
L-Theanine is an amino acid found naturally in green tea, which lowers stress and anxiety levels while improving your mood too.
Green tea is one of the best teas out there for you, as it’s not processed as much as others alongside the other health benefits.
The caffeine in green tea can also help improve cognitive performance and your metabolism rates- as well as being related to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and fat loss. If you drink multiple cups of coffee a day, try switching to green tea because it can take a couple of cups a day to really maximise its benefits.
3. Matcha:
You’ve probably seen pictures of matcha lattes online and wondering what they actually are. Matcha is another type of green tea, which is more concentrated. Made by steaming and grinding it into a really fine powder.
This means, you drink the whole leaf, compared to your usual cup of green tea. If you only drink a few cups a day, this could be a great option for you as you get much more of the antioxidants in one hit thanks for the EGCG. You’ll also get a small fibre dose from one cup of matcha too.
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a plant compound, praised for its positive health impacts, such as reducing inflammation and potential to encourage weight loss.
You’ll also find L-Theanine in matcha, which can relax your mind and relieve your caffeine needs without the jitters and feelings of drowsiness. It tastes different to coffee, though. Most describe it as tasting fresh and earthy but with a sweet aftertaste.
4. Smoothies:
Smoothies can give you a lot of natural energy boosts over your coffee. Smoothies can also be a great way to start the day.
Some of us lack enough fruit and vegetables in our diets and a smoothie each morning is a great way to pack some more in. They’re a source of fibre and antioxidants too.
The fruit and vegetables will give you a sustained energy, that won’t leave you with a quick-fix or crash afterwards. For example, adding banana to your smoothies will add fibres that help slow the sugar digestion and a natural source of potassium. They’re also a popular pre-workout snack!
It’s much easier than you think to make your own smoothies at home, with tons of recipes online. Or, there’s loads of high quality smoothies available to buy. You can even get pre-made frozen smoothie packs at the supermarket.
If you add a protein, like yogurt or seeds, it will help fill you up too and another way to add more protein to your diet.
5. Golden Milk:
Not the most popular or talked about, this is hot, milky drink you’ll be happy to switch your coffee for. Although golden milk is a caffeine-free alternative to coffee, it can still keep you energised throughout the day. Even though, many people drink this at night.
Perfect for those who enjoy warm beverages, it contains spices like ginger, cinnamon, black pepper and tumeric. You can also add vanilla and honey if you prefer your drinks sweeter.
Golden milk may have strong anti-inflammatory purposes due to the curcumin. So, if you have joint concerns, this could benefit you due to the curcumin in the tumeric. The black pepper can also help your body absorb it better.
Hopefully there’s one suggestion there you think you could substitute for your coffee. There’s something for everyone- whether you like the taste, the caffeine or just having a warm beverage throughout the day.
While coffee does have some health benefits of its own, it’s not for everyone. These are five great, healthier alternatives for coffee anyone can enjoy. These even contain more benefits, or more specific perks, than coffee can offer you. Such as the antioxidants or cognitive benefits.
Some of these may seem trendy, but you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised. Some, like green tea, even take much less time to make. Not to mention how much you’ll save on buying coffees regularly.