Coffee is possibly the most consumed and loved beverage in the world, and why not? It improves your mood and energy, along with being delicious! However, there are many nutritionists who believe that coffee does more harm than good to your body.

Hence, it is crucial to keep a watch on your caffeine intake. However, most people are unaware that a high amount of coffee can lead to agitation and nervousness due to its ingredients. Some might even experience headaches and digestive problems.

While most cafes have become workplaces and of course the first thing you order for is coffee, moderation is key. Although completely stopping it might be difficult and also unnecessary, you can limit it for the most part.

Yes, they say that caffeine is addictive, and getting over it is almost as tricky as getting over alcohol! It is totally possible! Coffee is a lot in demand because of its taste and high levels of sugar. What if there are other drinks that can replace coffee and also do a bonus job of being healthy?

Yes, you read it right! This article aims at bringing you a list of beverages and drinks you can include in your routine to replace coffee! If you are a person who loves their fresh brew early morning in your Thermos flask or insulated tumbler and need something as good as coffee to start your day, here are 12 better alternatives to coffee that you can try:

Coffee mug

1. Green Tea

The world is revolving around green tea right now, and it is time yours should too! Green tea, known for its antioxidant properties and detoxifying nature, has been a lifestyle change for many people out there. So many flavors, refreshing smells, and tastes to choose from! Most online grocery websites offer plenty of options, and so do a lot of supermarkets.

Green tea preparation is the easiest, and you don’t need a kitchen to make green tea. Boil a cup of water, pour it into an insulated tumbler, add your green tea sachet, plain or with flavor, and leave it for 3-4 minutes. You can also add honey and some lemon juice for extra flavor. Your glass of hot green tea is ready!

2. Chicory Coffee

Although the beverage has the word coffee in it and tastes pretty much like coffee, it is caffeine-free. Similar to coffee beans, the chicory root can be roasted and ground. It is a great source of inulin, a soluble fiber that helps in digestion and promotes a healthy gut by supporting the growth of good bacteria. It also stimulates the gallbladder to produce more bile, aiding fat digestion.

The chicory coffee can be found in stores or online. You can brew it like coffee, in an espresso machine, French press, or filter coffee maker. To prepare chicory coffee, boil water in a saucepan and add the chicory to the French press. Add the hot water to the French press and leave it steep for a few minutes. Pour the coffee into a cup with a mesh and add any sweetener you like. You can also add milk or any non-dairy alternative for a latte or have it black.

3. Matcha Tea

Contrary to the regular, brewed green tea, matcha tea is consumed as a whole leaf. It is made by steaming, drying, and grinding the leaves of a plant called Camellia Sinensis. It is then made into a fine powder. With this tea, you get a higher concentrated source of antioxidants. Consuming this tea regularly, reduces body and weight fat, and dwindles high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

The flavor is earthy and refreshing. The tea contains a fair amount of caffeine, and your day will have a kickstart if you consume it in the morning.

Sift two tablespoons of matcha tea powder in a ceramic bowl using a strainer. Add hot water and stir slowly. Whisk back and forth, and once the froth forms, pour it into an insulated tumbler. For a creamy tea latte, add some steamed milk or any alternative non-dairy item.

4. Golden Milk

Golden milk is a rich substitute for coffee, and it is caffeine-free too! This hot beverage involves healthy and refreshing spices like black pepper, turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon! You can also add honey, vanilla, or cardamom. It gets the name golden milk due to the beautiful yellow hue the turmeric gives.

This ingredient has impressive anti-inflammatory properties with curcumin and has also been known to improve immunity. The black pepper enhances the body’s capacity to absorb curcumin and fat. It is advisable to use whole milk rather than fat-free milk.

Golden milk can be prepared in five minutes. Heat the milk and add ½ teaspoon ground turmeric, 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger, a pinch of black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon. You can add some honey for added sweetness. Stir well and pour the milk into a mug and drink up.

5. Lemon Water

Ask any health enthusiast, and they will recommend starting your day with lemon water. Swapping your morning beverage doesn’t get complicated with this simple drink. It is full of vitamin C and caffeine and calorie-free. Being an antioxidant, vitamin c improves your immunity and protects your skin from sun damage. It is also crucial for creating the protein called collagen that supplies the basic structure for ligaments, tendons, and skin.

Take a glass of warm water, add half a lemon to it, and you’re good to go! This one glass provides 10% of the RDI of Vitamin C. You can also infuse the lemon water with herbs or fruits like mint leaves, watermelon, basil, and cucumber for added flavor and health benefits.

6. Chai Tea

Chai, as popularly called in India, is a black tea blended with spices and herbs. It is preferably made with milk as it adds taste and texture to the beverage. Although tea contains visibly less caffeine than coffee, studies have proven tea to improve mental alertness to a good extent, and it also works great as a mood up-lifter.

Both green tea and black tea are derived from the Camellia Sinensis plant, but the black tea undergoes a fermentation process, hence owing to its chemical composition. But both teas have excellent antioxidant properties. It has potential health benefits like reducing the risk of heart diseases, although more research needs to be done. It also has a lovely smell, along with having a strong taste.

Take a saucepan and add water, black tea leaves, crushed ginger, cloves, and some sugar. Let the mixture boil and pour it into a cup with a filter. You can add milk or a non-dairy alternative after the mixture boil and again bring it to boil for milk tea.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

The most sought-after drink when it comes to health benefits and weight loss, apple cider vinegar to the rescue! It is made by fermenting apples using bacteria and yeast. According to some observational studies, this produces a compound known as acetic acid, which has favorable effects on blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.

One study even found people to have reduced blood sugar levels by 64% when they consumed it before ACV before a meal. Although there isn’t much evidence to back it up, ACV increases the feeling of fullness after meals, which aids in weight loss.

It is, however, essential to remember that ACV beverages should be diluted with water before consumption. ACV can also wear out your enamel, so it is important to swish it off with water before and after consumption.

Take one glass or cup of cold or warm water and add a little ACV to it. Stir and have it right away! You can also add honey for added sweetness. Apple cider vinegar, like green tea, is the best drink with multiple benefits. However, you might watch the timing of consumption, the amount of dilution, and other medical conditions before you start consuming it daily.

8. Wheatgrass juice

Wheatgrass has extraordinary nutritious value and makes for a great energizing drink to start your day with. It contains vitamins, minerals, and tons of nutrients. Consuming it first thing in the morning can prove to be highly advantageous for your body and skin. Most celebrities swear by this magical ingredient. You are nourished right away after drinking it. It would be best if you considered this as an alternative to coffee.

To make this juice, add fresh wheatgrass to a juicer along with water. Continue blending until the wheatgrass is totally pulverized. Drain the juice into a glass or a cup with the help of a cheesecloth. Squeeze till the very last drop to get as many nutrients as you possibly can. Your shot of wheatgrass juice is ready!

9. Coconut Water

The coastal fruit is known for its endless health benefits, along with being tasty, sweet, and refreshing. This fluid is found inside a hard-shelled fruit. It is naturally sweet and has bioactive enzymes and electrolytes, which rehydrate your body on consumption. It also prevents kidney stones and has antioxidant properties that build the immune system. It also possibly improves heart health and reduces blood pressure.

Have this drink early in the morning instead of coffee, and you will notice great improvements in your health and skin in a few weeks! Overconsumption of coconut water is not suggested for a few health conditions. Do consult your doctor before drinking every day.

10. Fruit Smoothie

A nutritious and delicious alternative to coffee; this is a beverage you can easily switch to. It contains fructose sugar, which makes it a good source of energy. Just combine your choice of fruits with some dairy or non-dairy alternative, and you are good to go! It also makes for an excellent substitute for breakfast as it contains everything a breakfast needs to have. Start your day with vitamins flowing in your body!

To make a fruit smoothie, take a juicer or blender, add a cup of fruit juice, some low-fat yogurt, a cup of frozen fruits, and a banana optionally, and blend until you get a smooth consistency. You can also add ice or some almond milk to make it softer.

11. Nut smoothies

Nuts are a great source of unsaturated fatty acids, protein, and fiber. Nuts are also known to be good for the heart. They also make a healthy snack. The nutritionist Angela Pifer recommends using nuts in smoothies. She also believes that it is a wholesome alternative to coffee and a great drink to start your day with, as you won’t experience any noon slump with this drink. It maintains high levels of energy throughout the day.

Take a blender and add almonds, ripe bananas, almond milk, vanilla extract, ice, honey for sweetness, etc. Blend until you get a smooth consistency. Garnish with sliced almonds, and your morning beverage is ready!

12. Peppermint Tea

This refreshing tea is a perfect substitute for your morning coffee. It is, in fact, more energizing and invigorating than coffee itself, and it is caffeine-free too! Incorporate this tea into your morning routine, and you will never go back.

To make this tea, boil water in a saucepan and add few mint leaves. After a few minutes, turn off the stove. Strain the tea into the cup and add some honey and squeeze a lemon into it. Your tea is ready, and so is your day!

Conclusion

Although coffee has its perks and benefits, it is definitely not the only beverage to fuel your energy. There are so many healthy options and alternatives to try from black tea to wheatgrass juice to coconut water! Making these drinks a part of your daily routine will show some excellent health improvement over time.

If you decide to give up your addiction to coffee and want to embrace a healthy lifestyle change, these beverages are your answer! Also, invest in an insulated tumbler, one like the Vaya Pop cup, that will help you enjoy every beverage you choose to drink, by keeping it fresh and warm/cold until the last sip!