Coffee Alternatives (replacement)

mksafire

Hello everyone!

One of my goals is to get off the coffee loop and cut down my caffeine intake every day. I have a problem getting enough sleep and have high anxiety so adding coffee to the mix does not help!

I'm looking for alternatives for something warm and coffee-like. I mostly want to know what people actually try and actually keep drinking. Also did anyone here use this alternative to get off of coffee? I would love to hear stories.

Currently I'm trying out Dandy Blend - http://www.dandyblend.com/

It's not exactly the same as coffee but it is smooth and dark and replaces that second or third cup of coffee I can hardly taste (that ends up being mostly milk anyways). So it seems like it would be a good alternative for the coffee drinker that has a regular cup all day long. I haven't tried using it at work (I have been snowed in for a week!) but here at home I try a cup in the afternoon. I'm feeling better - it's like I had the cup of coffee but without the hangover that comes with it.

So what have you tried? Any tips to share?

sarajenivieve

you could just switch to decaf or half/half

TavistockToad

Decaf

mksafire

that is true...... really don't know why I didn't think of that.

chrismellor01

Maybe ask why you are drinking it in the first place?

If it's ritual - then replace with redbush or decaf etc.

If it's for the caffeine then cut it down, half amount a week etc.

If you are wanting a taste in your mouth...

Maybe experiment with other things (a few thin slices of lemon and some fresh ginger is very nice).

rileysowner

Other than the suggestion of going to Decaf, I have little to suggest. I like teas as well, but they are not coffee for the taste, which it what I like. If you drink it because you like the taste, go to decaf. It still has a small amount of caffeine, but far far less that normal caffeine coffee.

l_lake

Not sure if this would be available to you, but if you have access to a tea store like David's Tea or Teavana, there are quite a few teas that have a stronger/richer taste like coffee. Something with a Puerh tea base? Otherwise, yeah, decaf coffee.

jcraig10

I drink green tea...obviously doesn't taste like coffee but still has a bit of caffeine in it (enough for me) and 0 calories. Its warm and it wakes me up in the morning

cwolfman13

Yeah, I'd go with decaf. The taste of coffee is like a little taste of heaven and I could never give it up. I have some caffeinated coffee in the morning and often drink decaf if I want something warm and comforting in the afternoon or evening.

lulalacroix

You could try out some herbal teas.

shelleyrhoads

Ummmmm tea

mksafire

Thanks for all the ideas everyone!

I am going to focus on just trying stuff out and having fun with it. The variety is already helping me cut back on coffee. It helps to just be more mindful of it and I find that I don't need the caffeine as much as a warm drink. So I am trying out a new tea or alternative every day. That makes it fun and no pressure. Also switching to decaf sounds like a good idea.

mctiff24

check out teeccino

Jules_farmgirl

I am a coffee addict and snob. When I was pregnant I stopped drinking coffee but not instantly or I had caffeine withdrawals. I started with 3/4 regular and 1/4 decaf and slowly increased the decaf til I was completely weaned off, but still got my coffee "kick" for the day as for me it is a ritual in the mornings... also tames the bear....

MonkeyMel21

I have decaf on hand and also enjoy hot tea (herbal if it's due to caffeine, green if I just want tea but it does have less caffeine than coffee).

CarolinaZP

Hot chocolate with unsweetened cocoa and little sugar is the closest I got. I do the recipe from the Hershey's cocoa container, which is kinda sweet, but if you like your coffee bitter, you could reduce the sugar on a hot cocoa.

For calorie free option, herbal tea with no caffeine.

Anabirgite

I love Cafix Crystals, which is 100% caffeine free. Its works like instant coffee. I usually heat 1 cup water and 1/2 cup milk in microwave and add 1 teaspoon Cafix, 1 teaspoon baking (unsweetened) cocoa powder and 1 Truvia packet- that is my dessert at night. I bought at Whole Foods in the coffee aisle. It has 5 calories for 1 teaspoon. And my picky husband even enjoys on a cold snowy night .

comptonelizabeth

Redbush tea? Even ordinary tea has less caffeine