The words coffee substitute make some people nervous. When your alarm goes off in the morning do you make a mad dash for the coffee machine even before you pee or kiss your spouse? You’re not alone. Many of us literally cannot start our day without a cup o’ Joe. But as much as we may adore our caffeinated beverage of choice, it’s not always a healthy choice when you’re looking to perk up. Coffee contains a lot of caffeine—which is why you drink it in the first place. But, as many of us know firsthand, you can easily get hooked on the coffee buzz. Recent research confirms, “More people are dependent on caffeine to the point that they suffer withdrawal symptoms and are unable to reduce caffeine consumption.” We’ve been there, and the coffee drinkers struggle is real.
In addition to the potential for addiction, coffee rarely travels solo—it usually comes with milk and sugar, which means tons of hidden calories. According to Dr. Nicholas Perricone, “If we just substitute green or black tea for coffee in our diets, I predict that in 6 weeks without changing anything else, you will lose 7 to 8 pounds of body fat.” Challenge accepted. Here are 10 delicious drinks to help you kick the coffee habit and add a little healthy boost to your routine.
- Yerba Mate Tea
This South American tea, a great coffee alternative, is made by steeping the ground leaves and stems of the yerba mate plant. Yes, it contains some caffeine, but it is also rich in antioxidants, increases focus, aids digestion and helps with weight loss.
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