Do you want to give up or reduce your coffee?
Below are a few reasons you may consider giving it a try, and some ways to make it happen.
If you’ve been asking yourself, “Do I want to give up or reduce my coffee intake?”, you’ve landed at the right place. In this article, we delve into the reasons for reducing or eliminating caffeine from your life, as well as practical strategies for making this change gradually and effectively. Remember, it’s not about depriving yourself, but rather discovering alternatives that may bring about positive changes to your health and lifestyle.
WHY YOU MAY WANT TO GIVE UP OR REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF CAFFEINE YOU DRINK:
- Caffeine increases stomach acid output interfering with digestion and proper absorption and assimilation of nutrients.
- It interferes with blood sugar levels and energy crashes.
- Caffeine flushes essential nutrients like B vitamins, minerals (e.g. magnesium) and Vitamin C out of the body.
- It stimulates the “fight or flight” survival mechanism of your central nervous system which signals the adrenal glands to release stress hormones that starts storing energy as fat. This contributes to weight gain and adrenal fatigue.
- Caffeine acts as an appetite suppressant which can contribute to “not feeling hungry” in the morning. This sets us up for a blood sugar disaster later in the day.
- Excessive caffeine intake is correlated to a number of health issues such as: fibrocystic breast disease, muscle tremors, irregular or fast heart beat, headaches, anxiety, restlessness, irritability and insomnia.
- As a diuretic, caffeine can be very dehydrating for the body.
- It does not provide essential nutrients and it is habit forming resulting in withdrawals when abruptly stopped.
AN OUTLINE FOR A GRADUAL REMOVAL OF CAFFEINE :
- Start your day with a squeeze of fresh lemon in a mug of hot water, this is a natural astringent and will enhance your digestion and absorption of nutrients. This will also help moving the bowels in the morning.
- Start drinking green tea as it contains less caffeine, has a high antioxidant value and many health benefits.
- Try a coffee substitute that is made from rye, dandelion or chicory that offers the same rich flavour and keeps the experience and ritual of coffee in the morning.
Reduce the amount of coffee you drink gradually as follows:
If you drink 3 cups/day:
1st week: drink 2 cups coffee and 1 green tea
2nd week: drink 1 cup coffee and 2 green tea
3rd week: drink 0 coffee and 2-3 green tea
**can use either green tea bags or matcha tea
EXTRA TIPS:
Try a roasted grain hot drink product such as Bambu or the gluten-free Dandy Blend. These beverages are made from cereal grains, dandelion and chicory that gives an aroma and flavour similar to coffee but is caffeine-free. conveniently, it is prepared the same way as instant coffee!
Mindfulness is essential. Explore why you may feel you need that afternoon caffeine. Are you feeling hydrated? Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating enough and the right kind of quality calories that provide energy? Are you exercising regularly? Has it been a stressful day? A deficit of any of these can lead to craving that caffeine fix to take you out of that afternoon slump.
In the journey to reducing or eliminating caffeine, every small change counts. Every body is different and what works for one may not work for another. Our expert nutritionists are ready to assist you in navigating this process.
Reach out today, and together, we can create a personalized plan that will support your health and well-being in the most nourishing way possible.
