Coffee substitutions for morning boost?

Summerberry1012
Summerberry1012 Posts: 109 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I have a high-stress job and it involves teaching with classes starting at 8:30am and i started drinking coffee to get me going but it was causing me tension headaches so I've had to stop. Problem though - i am SO tired in the AM (i get plenty of sleep 7-8hrs every night) and it makes it hard getting pumped for a class. On most mornings i bring water with fresh lemon squeezed in and it is tasty but its not giving me the boost of energy i need to power through.

Any suggestions on a healthy coffee replacement? Thank you!!!

Replies

  • babyshroom
    babyshroom Posts: 46 Member
    I've heard green apple can wake you up better than coffee. When I used to juice I madea green drink in the morning at always woke me up. Green apple, cucumber, lime, and spinach. Yum!
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    Can you drink less? Coffee in moderate amounts has beneficial effects.

    If you can afford the calories, you might want to try caffeine in the form of a yerba mate drink. For me, it provides a feeling of calm alertness. Guayaki Revelberry is good.
  • Summerberry1012
    Summerberry1012 Posts: 109 Member
    Can you drink less? Coffee in moderate amounts has beneficial effects.

    If you can afford the calories, you might want to try caffeine in the form of a yerba mate drink. For me, it provides a feeling of calm alertness. Guayaki Revelberry is good.

    Calories are pretty tight as is and I have tried smaller cups and even mixing 1/2 decaf with 1/2 regular but i get the same problem. The only time I can have a regular cup is at about 3pm but then by that point it's pointless.
  • Summerberry1012
    Summerberry1012 Posts: 109 Member
    I've heard green apple can wake you up better than coffee. When I used to juice I madea green drink in the morning at always woke me up. Green apple, cucumber, lime, and spinach. Yum!

    Sounds delicious!
  • _Timmeh_
    _Timmeh_ Posts: 2,096 Member
    I have a high-stress job and it involves teaching with classes starting at 8:30am and i started drinking coffee to get me going but it was causing me tension headaches so I've had to stop. Problem though - i am SO tired in the AM (i get plenty of sleep 7-8hrs every night) and it makes it hard getting pumped for a class. On most mornings i bring water with fresh lemon squeezed in and it is tasty but its not giving me the boost of energy i need to power through.

    Any suggestions on a healthy coffee replacement? Thank you!!!

    The question is why are you so tired after plenty of sleep. Have you ever been tested for sleep apnea? Do you snore?
  • Summerberry1012
    Summerberry1012 Posts: 109 Member
    I have a high-stress job and it involves teaching with classes starting at 8:30am and i started drinking coffee to get me going but it was causing me tension headaches so I've had to stop. Problem though - i am SO tired in the AM (i get plenty of sleep 7-8hrs every night) and it makes it hard getting pumped for a class. On most mornings i bring water with fresh lemon squeezed in and it is tasty but its not giving me the boost of energy i need to power through.

    Any suggestions on a healthy coffee replacement? Thank you!!!

    The question is why are you so tired after plenty of sleep. Have you ever been tested for sleep apnea? Do you snore?

    I do not snore often (according to my fiance) and it's usually when my nose is stuffed up from being ill or having allergies.
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    Can you drink less? Coffee in moderate amounts has beneficial effects.

    If you can afford the calories, you might want to try caffeine in the form of a yerba mate drink. For me, it provides a feeling of calm alertness. Guayaki Revelberry is good.

    Calories are pretty tight as is and I have tried smaller cups and even mixing 1/2 decaf with 1/2 regular but i get the same problem. The only time I can have a regular cup is at about 3pm but then by that point it's pointless.

    Why would you be able to tolerate coffee in the afternoon but not the morning? Is the coffee the problem, or the stress?
  • SheriKCourtney
    SheriKCourtney Posts: 77
    I love coffee too!! I am the only one in my house that drinks it, so if I make a pot I drink the whole pot. I have been trying to drink less. This is what has helped me.......I went to Folgers half caf, then I changed to Black Chai tea. I found an awesome one from Bigelow called vanilla spice, it reminds me of my coffee that I normally have with french vanilla creamer. I am now trying to rotate between chai tea and green tea through out the day. I have begin to really enjoy the green tea.I do still make a pot of coffee about once a week, and I still drink the whole pot if I make it. But, I hear the green tea is a better option, so...... I am trying.to do better. Best to you!
  • dorothytd
    dorothytd Posts: 1,138 Member
    I sometime a make a latte-type drink with 1/2 cup skim milk and a scoop of protein powder. Shake well and add to 8oz or more of coffee - DECAF for you. But you should get a boost from the protein as well as that coffee ritual....
  • dorothytd
    dorothytd Posts: 1,138 Member
    I sometime a make a latte-type drink with 1/2 cup skim milk and a scoop of protein powder. Shake well and add to 8oz or more of coffee - DECAF for you. But you should get a boost from the protein as well as that coffee ritual....

    Wow, look at that lousy typing! I SOMETIMES MAKE... That's better!
  • dovetail22uk
    dovetail22uk Posts: 339 Member
    Are you eating a nutritious breakfast?

    I eat porridge made with skimmed milk every morning with a cup of tea and then I'm wide awake!
  • Unodragone
    Unodragone Posts: 33
    Since you get plenty of sleep on average the best way to really wake up without coffee and get ready for the day is to go for a good size morning walk before work. Even if it is just to go around the block once or twice, that fresh morning air and getting your heart rate pumping and your body moving is an awesome no calorie way to have you energized and refreshed in the morning. When it is colder I would wear just enough clothes to keep you from freezing to really motivate you to move :bigsmile:
  • dovetail22uk
    dovetail22uk Posts: 339 Member
    Why does everyone seem to depend on coffee for energy? Surely this what food is for?!
  • Unodragone
    Unodragone Posts: 33
    Why does everyone seem to depend on coffee for energy? Surely this what food is for?!

    Because it is quick and easily accessable, same with energy drinks and we all know that is not the greatest method to obtain enegry.
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    Why does everyone seem to depend on coffee for energy? Surely this what food is for?!

    Caffeine is a stimulant, which, in reasonable amounts, helps brain activity and other functions.
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    OP: I read an article on a traditional Japanese tea called "matcha." It sounded promising, if expensive. I also would look into yerba mate tea.
  • littleblackcar
    littleblackcar Posts: 24
    Since you get plenty of sleep on average the best way to really wake up without coffee and get ready for the day is to go for a good size morning walk before work. Even if it is just to go around the block once or twice, that fresh morning air and getting your heart rate pumping and your body moving is an awesome no calorie way to have you energized and refreshed in the morning. When it is colder I would wear just enough clothes to keep you from freezing to really motivate you to move :bigsmile:

    ^^^This.

    I drink decaf coffee because I like the taste and the heat.

    Also: Sleeping long enough is not the same as sleeping well enough. Make sure you're actually sleeping well. Are you comfortable? Is the room dark enough? Is it the right temperature? Are you too hot or cold? Do you need a new mattress? The quality of sleep is just as important as the quantity.

    Some people need more sleep than others, but I sleep less than you do and, while I have never been and will likely never be a morning person, I don't wake up that tired.
  • CrimsonStain
    CrimsonStain Posts: 23 Member
    B vitamins & ginkgo biloba extract may help heighten your awareness. Although like Unodragone suggested...moving is extremely helpful in waking up, particularly cold air! I usually splash cold water on my face to jolt myself awake lol But if you truly need something...possibly try Hi-ball energy. It's considered an "energy" water per say. It has zero calories but I've found it quite effective. It has B vitamins, Guarana, Ginseng & caffeine. It has very few ingredients (unlike other energy beverages)...I can list them for you here....Carbonated purified water, natural flavor, caffeine, guarana extract, panax ginseng extract, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6 & vitamin B12. Good luck finding it though, I have difficulty finding it. But I would suggest the vanilla or lemon lime flavor...avoid the wild berry, ick. But hope you stay awake!
  • Unodragone
    Unodragone Posts: 33
    B vitamins & ginkgo biloba extract may help heighten your awareness. Although like Unodragone suggested...moving is extremely helpful in waking up, particularly cold air! I usually splash cold water on my face to jolt myself awake lol But if you truly need something...possibly try Hi-ball energy. It's considered an "energy" water per say. It has zero calories but I've found it quite effective. It has B vitamins, Guarana, Ginseng & caffeine. It has very few ingredients (unlike other energy beverages)...I can list them for you here....Carbonated purified water, natural flavor, caffeine, guarana extract, panax ginseng extract, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6 & vitamin B12. Good luck finding it though, I have difficulty finding it. But I would suggest the vanilla or lemon lime flavor...avoid the wild berry, ick. But hope you stay awake!

    You have to be careful when taking stuff like this to really watch your vitamin intake especially with B12, I would avoid stuff like this if you can because in all honestly who really watches the amount of vitamins they take especially in food and too much B12 as well as other vitamins can harm you.

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