Having your typical cup of java is a habit for many of us that is hard to break--for some, it has literally become an addiction due to the caffeine dose we need to take to wake ourselves up. But the issue with caffeine is, while in mild doses it can boost blood flow and increase your alertness, the positive effects start to dissipate after just a few hours, giving their places to annoyances like headaches, anxiety, and insomnia later at night.
If you love the taste of coffee (or just the habit of it) but don’t want to experience any caffeine jitters, these caffeine-free or low caffeine alternatives are your best option:
Chicory coffee. This coffee alternative is probably the best as it highly resembles the smell and taste of original coffee, minus the caffeine. Chicory root can be ground or roasted and turned into powder so it can be later brewed or beaten to make a satisfying coffee-like hot or cold beverage. Nutrition-wise, chicory is considered to be a very rich source of inulin, which is a key substance that helps with digestion. However, people with chronic digestive disorders should take it in moderation as high amounts of inulin can cause gas and constipation. The beauty of chicory coffee is that you can roast and brew it as you do with your ordinary coffee, using espresso machines and filters.
Matcha Tea. If there is a top 10 list of healthy drinks that have taken over the Instagram community, matcha tea would certainly be included. This rich, green tea powder drink with its vibrant color and clean, herbal aroma is one of the greatest coffee alternatives due to the fact that it does contain caffeine but in much healthier and tolerable amounts. Compared to ordinary green tea, matcha tea is the powder of the plant, which gives it added antioxidant benefits. It is said that consuming matcha tea (with no sugar) regularly, you can lose up to 0.5 pounds of weight per week, especially combined with mild exercise and other healthy foods. Here is a good recipe you can try that is full of antioxidants and detoxing agents yet still tastes delicious: brew one teabag of our famous herbal teatox tea in a big cup of water and remove. Add ½ tsp of matcha green tea powder, stir or beat with a frother and add a bit of coconut milk and honey to taste. Beat with a frother again to make it extra frothy and fluffy and enjoy.
Pumpkin spice latte. Pumpkin spice latte is a drink that’s always popular during the Autumn because of the fine aromas of its spices and its vibrant pumpkin color. Due to this being rich in flavor and aroma, you can also take it anytime you need something satisfying (in place of coffee) that will remind you of baking goods and make you feel less hungry as a result. And it’s not unhealthy at all, as long as you don’t add any sugar or cow milk when making it. Here is a good, healthy and delicious recipe to try out: take optionally ⅓ cup of mashed pumpkin, 1 cup of brewed herbal tea (teabag removed of course), 1 tsp of pumpkin spice mix, and ½ cup of heated coconut or almond milk. Blend in a blender for a couple of minutes and serve into a big cup. Enjoy!