Caffeine is often regarded as the world’s “last legal stimulant.” Many people today suffer from caffeine addictions without even realizing it. Think about it—how often do you curse yourself for skipping that morning cup of coffee (often opting for something even more caffeinated later on in the day)? How often do you head straight for Starbucks when you feel your energy starting to wane? As a lifelong addicted of caffeinated carbonated beverages (aka soda) I can testify as to the power that caffeine has had over my life. The good news is that it is possible to transition your diet away from caffeine while still keeping your energy up.
Obviously the easiest switch for most people is to simply switch to the decaffeinated versions of their favorite drinks. Decaf coffee and decaf espressos are readily available at pretty much every coffee shop. Some of the major soda pop manufacturers offer caffeine free versions of their most popular beverages, which is nice for people who are not fond of diet drinks. Caffeine free Pepsi tastes exactly like regular Pepsi. Of course, there is no such thing as a “healthy” soda (the sheer amount of sugar contained in each serving keeps that from happening) but the caffeine free versions are better than their caffeinated counterparts.
The next step many people take when trying to wean themselves off of coffee and other caffeinated beverages is to switch from coffee to tea. Tea certainly healthier than coffee and soda but you need to be careful about the kind of tea you drink. Herbal tea does not usually have caffeine in it but other teas, like Black teas can have quite a bit of caffeine. Depending on how the tea is steeped, caffeinated teas can have up to three times as much caffeine as coffee! So make sure you check the label on the tea you are drinking!
Of course even if you find a new favorite beverage, going caffeine free can be a challenge. Caffeine withdrawals can be intense. Sufferers can experience headaches, heightened anxiety levels and problems concentrating. The biggest sign of caffeine withdrawal is a drop in your energy level which is usually the thing that sends you sprinting straight for the nearest coffee shop. Going caffeine free should be done gradually. Don’t try to go “cold turkey.” It is better to slowly cut back. Experts advise cutting your caffeine intake in half each week until your caffeine intake is so small that you feel comfortable phasing it out.
Caffeine is something that many of us don’t think of as “that harmful” but the fact is that caffeine addiction is real and affects almost all of us in some form. It is even possible to develop a caffeine addiction by drinking soda regularly! Thankfully there are plenty of (super tasty) caffeine free alternatives for those who want to cut out the stuff. Have you tried the spiced apple cider at your local coffee shop? That stuff is so good you won’t even miss your morning coffee!