During my sugar addiction, I was also addicted to caffeine as well. Mainly, going to Starbucks for my iced white chocolate mocha. I still go to Starbucks, but I now get healthier drinks so I don’t feel the addiction to coffee. I used to drink Dr. Pepper a very long time ago too. When you work at a restaurant (I did for many years), it seems like you either picked up either a smoking or caffeine habit. I’m glad I went the caffeine way. It makes me cringe to think about how I unknowingly was destroying my body.
But, after all those years of caffeine abuse, I can now say that I am free of my caffeine addiction. If you think you have a caffeine addiction, I would love to help you quit!
Do you know how too much caffeine affects a person’s health?
It’s crazy what too much caffeine can do to you!
- Higher anxiety levels
- Emotional highs and lows
- Energy burst and then burn out
- Brain fog/fuzziness
- Headaches
- Dehydration
- Depression
- Interrupted sleep
- High blood pressure
- Weakened immune system
- Nutritional deficiency
Yes, I know that there are some benefits to drinking coffee, but I’m talking about those of you totally abuse the amount you should be drinking. So, if you are looking to quit, or even cut down, I have some great ways to get you off of this crazy habit.
Cut Back Slowly
It may be the most obvious suggestion, but when you’re talking about 10 or 12 cups of coffee a day, you probably won’t be able to go cold turkey. Go down a couple of cups each day. Replace those cups with one of the other ideas below.
Change Over To Smoothies
A great way to get that energy that coffee gives is to drink a green smoothie with leafy greens, fruit and some super foods. Find a recipe here. It really helps eliminate that need for caffeine, and is so much better for you too! There also won’t be that crash that coffee gives you after a couple of hours.
A New Kind Of Coffee
Have you heard of yerba mate (read more about yerba mate here). I couldn’t believe how this gives the same energizing feeling that coffee gives you, yet not the bad effects like, anxious and jittery feeling. You might just want to make yerba mate your new drink to turn to. You make it just like coffee, or like you make tea.
Green Tea
Other great substitutes for coffee/soda are black tea or green tea. Though tea can have caffeine in it as well, both of these can help you wean off of excessive caffeine.
But, I don’t want to totally give it up!
So, if you don’t want to totally quit all caffeine, I say, that’s fine! I’m happy that I am able to stay away from relying on caffeine to function these days (I do not miss those “day after” caffeine headaches!). But, I do still eat chocolate every day for it’s health benefits. Enjoy your caffeine, but just don’t overdo it.
Linking up with Jill for Fitness Friday.
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