The other day, I had a bad case of the jitters. A stressful morning coupled with two super strong soy lattes wasn't a recipe for relaxation. I've since decided to wean myself off coffee; if it's something you're keen to try, consider these tips…
Why Quit Coffee?
It seems that as soon as a study comes out claiming coffee is bad for us, another quickly emerges to say it's good. So it's easy to refill your coffee cup and resign yourself to being an "addict".
Those in the "con camp" say that since caffeine – the main component in coffee – is a drug, it can upset your blood sugar. But they say the effects of caffeine depend on the individual – your age, weight and sensitivity. So if you feel like coffee is getting you all shook up (for the wrong reasons), perhaps try kicking it to the kerb.
Make a Swap
The first thing I did when weaning myself off coffee was swapping it for green tea. Since I'm a two-coffees-a-day gal, I swapped my afternoon brew for tea. Yes, green tea still contains caffeine, but making the switch will cut your caffeine intake by 70 percent.
If you're still struggling, switch to a black tea instead. It'll give you more of a caffeine fix and will be a good stepping stone down to drinking herbal varieties.
Why does this simple swap work? It could be because, for many of us, getting a coffee fix is habit. It's easy to get used to starting the day with a hot cup of goodness. All you're doing is swapping what's inside the cup.
Go Decaf
I've never been a fan of decaffeinated coffee, but some people swear by it as a way of weaning off coffee. There are loads of brands out there, so try a few and see if decaf is your thing. Over time, you can then try swapping decaf for tea.
A Gradual Approach
However you go about quitting coffee, it's best to do it gradually. Quitting cold turkey might present a few nasty side effects such as headaches, tiredness and crankiness. Instead, wean yourself off caffeine gradually. Who knows – soon you may not give two hoots about getting your daily coffee fix!
Still struggling? A naturopath or nutritionist will be able to advise you on how to quit coffee.
Originally published on Jul 03, 2013
