Healthy Alternatives To Coffee

Coffee is either wonderful for your body or is absolutely horrific, all depending on where you get your information from. One thing, however, is absolutely certain: coffee with sugar is no good for you, because caffeine turns glucose into fat. Also, you don't want to drink coffee with cream or half and half if you want to be healthy. And finally - even if we are just talking about coffee - it's never exactly great to be "addicted to" something, or to be "dependent upon" something. If you are looking to balance your coffee drinking with something else, or if you are looking to move away from coffee entirely, these are three viable options.

1) Tea: Even though tea includes caffeine, the caffeine content is much lower than in coffee, and tea is a much healthier alternative. The antioxidants in tea helps your body fight diseases, and green tea can also help with digestive disorders. Green tea also helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, which is great for those who suffer from diabetes. Tea can also be consumed throughout the day, without the fear of adverse effects that comes from drinking coffee all day long.

2) Yerba Mate: While some people consider Yerba Mate to be a form of tea, it actually is not. Yerbe Mate is created from the yerba mate plant, which is native to South America. You can find Yerba Mate packaged at such stores as Whole Foods, and you can even brew it in your traditional coffee pot. Although Yerbe Mate does not have high caffeine levels, it has a stimulating effect on the body. This stimulating effect is similar to what you would get from coffee or tea, but with additional health benefits. Yerba Mate is considered to be an acquired taste, but if you are feeling adventurous in your quest to kick the coffee habit, it is definitely worth a shot.

3) Fruit juice or vegetable juice: Though unconventional substitutes for coffee, fruit and vegetable juices are great alternatives. Most fruit and vegetable juices are packed with vitamins, and if you make it at home or buy organic, you will not be adding those nasty preservatives or piles of sugar. Although these drinks do not provide the immediate kick you can get from coffee, they are a much healthier alternative, and they will leave your body feeling clean and refreshed.

It's not easy to kick the coffee habit, but these alternatives will help you move one step closer to achieving your goal.