8 healthier alternatives to coffee everyone should try once
The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.
Coffee, despite all its shortcomings, is pretty dang great if you need a wake-me-up.
Like red wine or dark chocolate, though, it seems to fall into the category of things that can have health benefits if consumed in moderation, but not really in excess.
In big quantities, it can upset your stomach, sap hydration, and cause headaches and anxiety, among other things. If you’re up to more than a few cups of coffee a day, you might actually experience a withdrawal when you try to quit. And on a superficial note, it's not exactly helping you keep your teeth white.
But, again — very, very good at keeping you awake.
If you want to kick the habit of drinking coffee for something substantially healthier and more guilt-free and sustainable, there are great alternatives (that are great for you) that you can swap in. You’re not likely to get the same jolt of instant energy, but the health benefits that many of the following foods have (and coffee lacks) mean that you can have a higher quantity of them without the concern. In fact, since they're so good for you, you're actually getting more benefits the more you have, which is a lot more like a win-win relationship than the one you had with coffee. It could take three cups of green tea to equal one instant coffee, but it’s also known to be one of the healthiest things you can possibly drink.
Being energized doesn't have to mean a sacrifice of health on your part.
And unlike when you have to forgo your morning cup of coffee, you’re probably less likely to feel agitated and lethargic when you similarly have to skip a cup of black tea. You aren't creating a dependence that leaves you super high and then super low on the energy scale. Plus, for foods like oatmeal and high-in-protein nuts, you’re giving your body energy through food, which is a healthy alternative too few of us really utilize.
If you're interested in diluting your habit of coffee drinking with healthy, energizing alternatives or want to swap out entirely, these are eight great options to throw into your Amazon cart:
Kombucha tea
Kombucha is well-known for its probiotics, but it also contains B vitamins (in particular B12), which are known to increase energy levels.
GT's Organic Kombucha, Gingerade, 16 oz, $3.79
Green tea
It depends on your choice of coffee, but green tea typically has about one-third the caffeine as an instant coffee of the same size, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Even if you need to drink a little more of it, that might not be such a bad thing — green tea is packed with health benefits. Christopher Ochner, PhD — a research scientist in nutrition at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital — says, "It’s the healthiest thing I can think of to drink." The catechin content is key; the antioxidants fight and may even prevent cell damage.
Lipton 100% Natural Green Tea, Pack of 100, $5.89
Wheatgrass juice
Wheatgrass is known as a natural energizer and is often used as a liquid shot in smoothies you might pick up from an overpriced juice bar. It contains a lot of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
Organic Wheat Grass Juice Powder, $39.85
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
No comments: