Alternative to coffee

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  • itgeekwoman
    itgeekwoman Posts: 804 Member
    my nutritionist started me off with a slice of ginger and the juice of half a lemon in hot water. I drink that every morning to boost my metabolism and just get things started for the day. I don't have any coffee tea or anything else caffeinated during the day. I have red raspberry leaf tea in the afternoon but I'm totally off caffeine now. I love the feeling and I'm burning fat faster than I expected.

    I was a bear for the first 3 days, and then I went around apologizing to everyone for being cranky. It took a few days.. but I'm glad I did it.
  • kokaneesailor
    kokaneesailor Posts: 337 Member
    I switched to espresso with whipped skim milk. I find the milk is sweet enough that I don't need sugar anymore. Plus I don't waste valuable time smooshing about trying to down a big mug of joe.
    :smile:
  • ChristySeeksBalance
    ChristySeeksBalance Posts: 43 Member
    I'm an all or nothing kind of girl with my coffee. I want it with like 1/2 cup of half and half in it, or I don't want it at all. I've been drinking tea. It's not nearly as good, but I like it better than coffee with milk or black, and it keeps the caffeine headaches at bay.
  • thefacade
    thefacade Posts: 5 Member
    I use almond milk and stevia, taking my 40ish calorie coffee down to 10ish calories. I've heard that bit of lemon zest cuts the bitterness of coffee, but I haven't tried it yet.
  • kaitlynnrogers
    kaitlynnrogers Posts: 142 Member
    i have my coffee... i used splenda and non dairy creamer (10 cals a teaspoon)

    really!? where can you buy it?
  • TLC1975
    TLC1975 Posts: 146 Member
    Well, first you can try getting coffee that is not bitter. I don't know if you brew at home or buy it out, but places like Starbucks have a light roast (theirs is called Blonde right now). Or try flavored coffee grounds. Anyhow, the next step...if you brew at home, add about 1 tsp of cinnamon into the filter before putting the grounds in. Adds nice flavor. By adding the cinnamon I have been able to reduce the amount of sugar I put in to 1/2 tsp. I still use 2 Tbsp. of half & half. If you really like yours almost white, use skim milk instead of cream.

    I did this above^^^..I use to only drink coffee like you..cream and sugar...but slowly eliminated the sugar and switched to almond milk...then eventually went black, took several months to adjust my taste buds.....and tried several different roasts and flavours of coffee to find one that I could stand the taste of...BTW...the lighter the roast, the more caffeine!!! Plus cinnamon boots metabolism..

    Good Luck!
  • Punkedpoetess
    Punkedpoetess Posts: 633 Member
    Fat free half and half or a non-dairy creamer like soy or coconut milk creamer (found at whole foods) are lower calorie alternatives to cream that you could try. You also can do stevia or splenda instead of sugar. Another thing to do is cut back the cups you are having or use less cream or sugar if slimming your coffee down doesn't work.

    Personally I used to use milk in my coffee and in the past few months have acquired a taste for black coffee. Once you get used to it and buy good coffee, black coffee is enjoyable in my opinion.

    Hope these suggestions help.
  • chip305
    chip305 Posts: 63 Member
    I love coffee and I love it sweet and light, I have found a very acceptable alternative to my liquid non-dairy flavored creamer. I use 1/2 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk (18 cal) and artificial sweetener. I have my coffee back!
  • HealthyHappy120
    HealthyHappy120 Posts: 262
    Tazo Awake tea.. or ive seen "Morning Thunder" by celestial seasonings. Never had it but hey it may be better than coffee.
  • mjbrenner
    mjbrenner Posts: 222 Member
    I see that cinnamon has been suggested. A pinch of salt, no more, in the filter will also lower the perception of bitterness without adding a salty taste. You could also try cold brewing your coffee. You can search for the term to get instructions, but it makes a much less acidic, bitter coffee in the end.
  • hemlock2010
    hemlock2010 Posts: 422 Member
    Jitterbeans brand chocolate covered coffee beans or chocolate rocks. About 90 mgs of caffeine in 4 beans (approx 30 calories). I'm down to one real coffee with add-ins per day thanks to these babies. That let me cut my daily sugar allowance in HALF and reduce my calorie goal by 200 calories. I'm definitely seeing the difference on the scales.
  • nailqueen74
    nailqueen74 Posts: 38 Member
    I use non-dairy powdered creamer and a sugar substitute...10 calories for a cup.
  • stacygayle
    stacygayle Posts: 349 Member
    I drink my coffee black and it isn't bitter at all. I buy only premium coffee. you'll never catch any folgers or maxwell house in my house lol. That stuff has a bitter taste to it but the premium ones that you grind yourself (Millstone is my favorite) have no bitter taste at all. I love the chocolate velvet flavor which gives it a hint of chocolate flavor without calories. I also like the Fusion Green and White tea but the only caffiene I have during the day is my cup of coffee in the morning so I feel that spending that extra money to get the good stuff is worth it to me. I saw on a coffee shop sign once "Life is too short to drink bad coffee" :happy:
  • prdgoodbye
    prdgoodbye Posts: 1
    honestly, I just go ahead and have mt coffee with french vanilla creamer and dont count it!
  • momof8munchkins
    momof8munchkins Posts: 1,167 Member
    I went from double-double to half sugar, light cream. Took time, but you can adjust your taste buds over time. Gradually reduce the amount of sugar and cream you use.

    The light roast from Starbucks really does need less sugar and cream to enjoy. I barely put any sugar in, and just a touch of cream. In a bold roast, I'm double on both.

    As for the title of your post - there is no alternative for coffee. I'd give up real food before I gave up my coffee.
    ^ this!!! brew it weaker..and wean yourself down to less cream and sugar. perosnally I have my good coffee with raw honey and coconut milk but allow for it in my calories.
  • LizKurz
    LizKurz Posts: 340 Member
    I think that some great advice has been given, and I thought I'd share my coffee woes. I used to drink it black when I was in college, but then I found Starbucks, and starting using cream and sugar. When I started losing weight, I decided to cut out the sugar, use sugar free syrup (I use caramel, but you can find just about any flavor), and I do use regular half and half, but only a tbsp, or less per cup.

    This does eat up 40 calories per cup of coffee for me, but it's worth it. I can't get going without my coffee, other beverages don't work for me, it's not the caffeine, is the habit. Secondly, I refuse to use processed foods like powdered creamers, or things with ingredients I cannot pronounce, so real half and half it is. Most of the other dairy creamers have added sugars, amongst the crap they put in them, and I honestly can't imagine what the shelf stable ones are made of lol.

    I would like others have suggested, cut back slowly. Start measuring out what you have, and drink it normal for a week. The week after take it down 25%, and keep doing that until you feel like your coffee isn't eating up all the daily cals. :)

    I should add, I got rid of the sweetener altogether and just drink the half an half now.
  • autumnk921
    autumnk921 Posts: 1,374 Member
    Same issue....Would love some ideas...
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    Sorry I draw the line when it comes to my morning coffee... lol I have a travel mug size cup of Coffee People Donut shop blend with 2 scoops of Domino pure cane sugar and 2 Tbps. of International Delight Hershey Chocolate and Caramel creamer. It is a total of 104 calories....... I just fit it into my caloric intake... No use in not allowing myself a few simple pleasures......
  • Leiki
    Leiki Posts: 526 Member
    Green tea has no calories! Get the caffeinated version.

    I can drink coffee black, but it has to be the right kind. I like chicory coffee. ChickoryCoffee.jpg Make sure you use a good metal filter if you want to reduce bitterness, further. If you want to jazz it up, without adding to much unhealthiness, try adding cinnamon. It hardly has any calories, and it has fiber =) If you add that and a bit of sweetener, it could taste pretty good.

    If I want to be naughty with my coffee, I love adding a teaspoon of condensed milk.
  • mustardseed73
    mustardseed73 Posts: 2
    this is really awesome! I did this myself years ago and "relapsed". I admire you for doing this. I remember how good it felt to be caffeine free. :smile:
  • yesthistime
    yesthistime Posts: 2,051 Member
    I used to cover up the strong bitter coffee taste with lots of creamer and sugar, too. But now I put half coffee and half hot water in the cup before I add creamer and sugar, and I can get away with using A LOT less of both because the coffee is weak.
  • beth40n2
    beth40n2 Posts: 233 Member
    I love tea and other drinks, but there is no replacement for coffee!!!!

    I love it black!!!!! But I do use some calories free flavors once in a while. I also buy some flavored beans and grind it myself.
  • autumnk921
    autumnk921 Posts: 1,374 Member
    I am a coffee-holic...:drinker: I finally found an alternative to sugar that I can live with....I use Gnc - Women's Ultra Mega Active Dietary Supplement, Milk Chocolate - 2scoops everyday in a protein shake to get my vitamins but today I put a scoop into each cup of coffee that I drink in the mornings & have to use no sugar...YAY!! I have tried so many ways & this one is the best by far....I get my vitamins & my morning coffee without the sugar but it's still sweet....Love it!! Just wanted to share!! :love:
  • DrewMaxwell
    DrewMaxwell Posts: 269 Member
    more sleep ;)

    Exactly!
  • captiva0513
    captiva0513 Posts: 24
    A couple years ago I started adding skim milk instead of cream and couldn't tell a difference. In terms of sugar, I also like mine sweeter and don't love the artificial sweeteners, so I just try adding a really small amount. The other day I had an altoid in my mouth while drinking my coffee and it was like a cheaper, lo-cal version of a peppermint mocha. :)
  • HelloSweetie4
    HelloSweetie4 Posts: 1,214 Member
    I trained myself to enjoy coffee with less junk in it. I used to have it with tons of milk and sugar but overtime I cut back a sugar or shot of milk at a time. Now I drink it with regular sugar (or caramel swirl, which isn't bad in moderation) and skim milk.
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