Healthy Alternatives To Coffee

Mind is All

Depending on where you find your information, you will hear and read that coffee is either great for you, or it is absolutely terrible. One thing, however, is absolutely certain: coffee with sugar is no good for you, because caffeine turns glucose into fat. Also, coffee with cream or half and half is no better for you thank drinking that cream or half and half on your own. 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: Although the caffeine content in tea is lower than coffee, you will also find that it is a healthier alternative. The antioxidants in tea helps your body fight diseases, and green tea can also help with digestive disorders. Green tea can also help those with diabetes by aiding in the proper maintenance of blood sugar levels. You can also drink tea all day long, without fearing the adverse effects that can come from drinking coffee all day.

2) Yerba Mate: Many people think of Yerbe Mate as a form of tea, but actually it is not. Yerbe Mate comes from the yerba mate plant of South America. You can purchase packaged Yerbe Mate from such health food stores as Whole Foods, and it can be brewed in a traditional coffee pot. Yerbe Mate has low caffeine levels, but its effect on the body is very stimulating. 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 or vegetable juice: Fruit juice and vegetable juice can be great alternatives to coffee. 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. These drinks will leave your body feeling clean and refreshed, even if they do not provide that kick you are used to experiencing from coffee.

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