Coffee vs. Tea

ashmom86
ashmom86 Posts: 117
edited September 26 in Food and Nutrition
So, I am a coffee addict!! I cannot get away away from it! I do use sugar-free creamer so I guess that is good.
Anyway, If there is anyone else here that is trying to cut back on coffee (creamer) and drink more herbal tea..can I get some ideas? I am not a lover of warm tea. I love it iced, but in the mornings or evenings I just want a nice cup of java. This might be a challenge in the making if there are others on here like me...
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Replies

  • solskinnzombie
    solskinnzombie Posts: 122 Member
    i am the same way. i use powdered creamer, and i just drink less coffee now.
  • arezou_vancouver
    arezou_vancouver Posts: 39 Member
    maaaaaaaaaan, I hear you. I CAN NOT cut coffee out of my life, but you know I read somewhere that it's actually good for your heart :)
  • taso42_DELETED
    taso42_DELETED Posts: 3,394 Member
    Perhaps you can keep the coffee and wean off the creamer. Get some FRESH and high quality beans and prepare the coffee properly. Coffee is one of life's simple delicious pleasures. Adding creamers or sweeteners or whatnot just takes away from the goodness.
  • LoveLiveLift
    LoveLiveLift Posts: 459 Member
    I'm a coffee addict as well. However, I like mine black. I used to drink about 8-10 cups of regular coffee a day. I've cut it back to a mug in the morning and I drink herbal tea in the afternoon/evening instead of more coffee. Have you tried Tazo Tea? I've found that I like their tea the best.
  • yes_i_can
    yes_i_can Posts: 419
    I'm more of a tea drinker, though I'm adding more coffee lately. I drink both black though.

    What is it about the tea that you don't like? I've had just about every type and flavour under the sun, so maybe I can suggest something if I have an idea of your taste (or distaste, as it is)...
  • le07
    le07 Posts: 3
    Hiya I thought about giving up too, but there is a new coffee out by gold blend called green summat. It is supposed to have anti oxidants etc. x
  • HealthiHannah
    HealthiHannah Posts: 182 Member
    I also LOVE my morning coffee... I have been given tips to decrease the amount of creamer that I use.... (1 tbsp/8 oz) I have done that and although its a little bitter for my taste... it hasn't been too terrible.

    However, if you are decided to give it up altogether, I recommend the Stash teas. They are AMAZING! Some of them require milk - so pay attention if you don't readily have milk available (I drink it at work, so don't have milk). But the ones that only use water are pretty good too.

    I still sweeten my teas though, usually with pure sugar.... so I'm not sure that I could really consider it any "healthier" than my coffee/creamer!
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Perhaps you can keep the coffee and wean off the creamer. Get some FRESH and high quality beans and prepare the coffee properly. Coffee is one of life's simple delicious pleasures. Adding creamers or sweeteners or whatnot just takes away from the goodness.

    agreed. Good coffee needs no additions, crappy coffee needs milk and sugar.
  • outersoul
    outersoul Posts: 711
    I gave up coffee and went to straight green tea almost every morning. I don't miss the coffee surprisingly!
  • lmr9
    lmr9 Posts: 628 Member
    I love coffee! And I don't think it's bad, in moderation. I have my two cups every morning, with (*gasp*) real cream and sugar! HA! :laugh: I forget who it was, but I read on a MFP post recently how this one girl "earns" her coffee. She makes herself drink a big glass of water before her coffee, and that made her feel better about drinking it. Hey, whatever works! But I thought that was a nice little suggestion. :flowerforyou:
  • ashmom86
    ashmom86 Posts: 117
    I'm more of a tea drinker, though I'm adding more coffee lately. I drink both black though.

    What is it about the tea that you don't like? I've had just about every type and flavour under the sun, so maybe I can suggest something if I have an idea of your taste (or distaste, as it is)...

    Its not that I hate tea, its just not coffee LOL...I have not tried too may flavors, guess I just need to shop around a bit and find something I like.
  • Just1forMe
    Just1forMe Posts: 624 Member
    I "spend" 163 calories a day on my coffee creamers (1 TBSP Great Value Chocolate Raspberry & 2 TBSP FF half & half per 20 oz cup-3 per day, 2 with FF whipping cream!) and it is totally worth it to me!! My coffee is the thing I look forward to most in the morning. I plan on doing this the rest of my life, so my coffee will NOT be sacrificed! If you love it, why not drink it? (yes, I've cut way back on the creamer :)
  • MissMessVaness
    MissMessVaness Posts: 24 Member
    I love my coffee in the morning too! maybe just try to limit yourself to 1-2 cups a day and stop there! If your looking to drinking teas, I've read in a bunch of different articles that say green tea is the best way to go! It supposedly speeds up your metabolism and has antioxidants in it too! Just make sure that you choose a green tea that you brew yourself. In other words don't get the already bottled green teas. They still have a lot of sugars and artificial sweeteners in them. Good luck!!!
  • yes_i_can
    yes_i_can Posts: 419
    I have to tell you, taso42, I went to the site in your signature (http://shouldieatmyexercisecalories.com/) because I was recently looking at information on calorie intake for a friend.

    Thank you for my first laugh of the day!! It's been a rough one so far, and I needed that :tongue:
  • EDesq
    EDesq Posts: 1,527 Member
    There is nothing wrong/bad about a mug of coffee ( 12-14 oz.) unless you have some problems with caffeine. Outside of caffeine, coffee is just flavored water...but even caffeine in moderation is ok, unless you have a problem with it. Also, coffee is an antioxidant; hey, if dark chocolate is "good" for you, why not coffee...but all in moderation. As for the creamer, if you have the calories in your budget use them or make budget space for it.
  • erika2002
    erika2002 Posts: 2
    I recently gave up coffee... I didn't have any left one day and only had tea at the house. Before I knew it a whole week had gone by and I didn't have any coffee. I used to be very addicted and now when I have some it doesn't taste good to me! My suggestion if you want to switch is to get good tasting tea... don't just have plan black or green tea get the kinds that have pomogrante, mango, ginger pear, etc... those are delicious!
  • leomentlines
    leomentlines Posts: 440 Member
    If you do try tea, I recommend either the Republic of Tea brand or Mighty Leaf brand. Both make excellent teas :)

    For black teas I'd say try something like a traditional Chai, or a Vanilla Black tea
    For green, the Republic brand I mentioned earlier makes an EXCELLENT Pomegranate Green Tea

    lol i'll leave it here, but I have white and red tea recs if you're interested :)
  • bmontgomery87
    bmontgomery87 Posts: 1,260 Member
    I like earl gray for hot tea.


    I do iced green tea all the time. And theres tons of flavors so look around, you'll find something you like.
  • hikingmonk
    hikingmonk Posts: 134 Member
    I still love a good cup of coffee (with lots of cream and sugar), but recently I've mostly switched to Yerba Mate. It's a bit easier on my stomach (some coffee gives me slight indigestion, the acid I think). Plus I can drink it with less sugar and cream. You can pick it up almost anywhere these days. Guayaki is a popular brand and one of my favorites.

    I think a cup or two of coffee won't hurt (and may even help according to some of the latest research). Just get a good Organic one if possible.

    I also tried a coffee substitute called Teechino. Some of the blends were ok, but I don't think the chicory taste agrees with me.
  • HealthiHannah
    HealthiHannah Posts: 182 Member
    I have to tell you, taso42, I went to the site in your signature (http://shouldieatmyexercisecalories.com/) because I was recently looking at information on calorie intake for a friend.

    Thank you for my first laugh of the day!! It's been a rough one so far, and I needed that :tongue:


    I second that! (Although, I struggle with this)
  • ashmom86
    ashmom86 Posts: 117
    I recently gave up coffee... I didn't have any left one day and only had tea at the house. Before I knew it a whole week had gone by and I didn't have any coffee. I used to be very addicted and now when I have some it doesn't taste good to me! My suggestion if you want to switch is to get good tasting tea... don't just have plan black or green tea get the kinds that have pomogrante, mango, ginger pear, etc... those are delicious!

    Good ideas! Thanks Erika!
  • ashmom86
    ashmom86 Posts: 117
    Thank you everyone for your input, so many different teas out there and I had no idea!!!!! I will definitely look into it all!!
  • yes_i_can
    yes_i_can Posts: 419
    I recommend going into a specialty tea store and smelling everything. My favourites:

    Chai - for something with a kick
    Cleanse - yes, it cleanses, but most have an earthy, spicy flavour as well
    Jasmine Pearls (aka Dragon Tears) - a very light, fresh taste
    Vanilla Pear - tastes a bit sweet and creamy without needing the sugar or milk
  • ashmom86
    ashmom86 Posts: 117
    I recommend going into a specialty tea store and smelling everything. My favourites:

    Chai - for something with a kick
    Cleanse - yes, it cleanses, but most have an earthy, spicy flavour as well
    Jasmine Pearls (aka Dragon Tears) - a very light, fresh taste
    Vanilla Pear - tastes a bit sweet and creamy without needing the sugar or milk

    I'm not sure if we have any specialty tea stores here (small town) I know we have a vitamin store I can check out, they might have something...Im thinking the Vanilla Pear sounds the best! But I will write these down to keep in mind. Thanks!
  • cryssybaby77
    cryssybaby77 Posts: 22 Member
    Black coffee is known to kick start your metabolism.
  • Iceskatefanrn
    Iceskatefanrn Posts: 489 Member
    I'm a tea-drinker, never developed a taste for coffee. But my daily hot tea is practically a ritual for me - I've modified it from the sugar-laden sweeteners and the fat-laden creamers, and now I've got a routine that I love!

    I like "sugar and milk" in my hot tea, and I like the Chai flavors of tea. My favorite tea bags are Yogi Classic Indian Spice, and Yogi Chai Green. They both have a delightful combination of the Chai seasonings!

    I brew the tea in a small Mr. Coffee that has NEVER been used to make coffee! I put one bag of each in the "coffee" section, no filter, and I'll run at least 2 pots through those two bags.

    Once I pour a tall mug of this hot, spicy, part Black/part Green tea, I then add Davinci's or Torani's Sugar Free Syrups - I like to mix equal parts of different flavors into one bottle, so I just have to had a splash to get a mix of flavors. Today's "mix" includes sugar free flavors of French Vanilla, Caramel, Chocolate, and Brown Sugar Cinnamon.

    ADD TO THAT a generous splash of Silk Pure Almond Milk - unsweetened and unflavored. The milk is 35 cals for a FULL CUP, so for this decadent, sweet, hot, creamy beverage, I'm getting less than 10 calories - probably closer to 5. Spicy chai flavors, plus the sweetners, plus the Almond Milk flavor - YUMMMMMMMMMILICIOUS!

    I record a full cup of the Almond Milk every day, because I drink hot tea all day long and I get close to a cup by the end of the day. Best 35 calories I ever "spent"!!!

    :drinker:

    Ice
  • DeniseGdz
    DeniseGdz Posts: 592 Member
    bump
  • Mandi1968
    Mandi1968 Posts: 30 Member
    Thei first cup brewed is always the best, I let it drip right into my cup and hten put the pot in to catch the rest. I use fat free coffee mate and one little capsule of equal sweetner...does the trick....
  • Shirley61
    Shirley61 Posts: 7,758 Member
    Just can't seen to quit coffee. Have tried it a few time though, but went right back on it.
    My husband quit the coffee and drinks green tea now and has never looked back.
    Coffee is good for you in moderation, if you are Type 2 diabetic it is also good for you.
  • pyroxian
    pyroxian Posts: 99
    Perhaps you can keep the coffee and wean off the creamer. Get some FRESH and high quality beans and prepare the coffee properly. Coffee is one of life's simple delicious pleasures. Adding creamers or sweeteners or whatnot just takes away from the goodness.

    agreed. Good coffee needs no additions, crappy coffee needs milk and sugar.

    +1 to both of these.
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