Over the years, I have shared about my love/ hate relationship with coffee. As in, I love coffee and sometimes it does not love me back. In seasons of higher stress or busyness, the caffeine content in my morning cup of coffee can leave me feeling jittery, anxious, and stressed out. These are times when I break up with my coffee habit and turn towards high-quality coffee substitutes. 

This post will share all about the best coffee alternatives that still support your energy levels and mental clarity!

Why Should I Ditch Coffee?

I think for many of us, we are deeply invested in the ritual of coffee. Sure, we enjoy the taste of coffee but even more than that, it is a habit that we hold tightly to. That is why, for many people, they don't even consider that coffee can be the source of their anxiety, heart palpitations, stress levels, or other unwanted symptoms. Anytime I suggest that to health coaching clients, they immediately respond with shock. 

Don't worry-- I get it. 

I used to be a quad-shot latte on an empty stomach on the way to nursing school kinda girl. Then an afternoon coffee on my way into work in the emergency room. Literally, my nervous system was running off of espresso shots and drip coffee for a few years there.... and I think that is also a big factor into why I was struggling with symptoms of PCOS, infertility, cystic acne, and anxiety 🙃🫠

It wasn't until I removed coffee and drank significantly less caffeine that I realized just how much it was affecting me poorly. So maybe you are where I was, or maybe you are already questioning if your caffeine intake is doing more harm than good.

Here are some signs that you may want to consider limiting coffee and trying a coffee alternative:

• anxiety - This meta-analysis reviewed recent research and confirmed that caffeine intake is associated with an elevated risk of anxiety in "healthy individuals without psychiatric disorders, especially when the intake dose is greater than 400 mg." I am someone who is already prone to anxiety, so anytime I am feeling that creep up, I immediately swap over to a caffeine alternative.

• feeling jittery - You know the feeling-- shaky hands, chest feeling a bit fluttery, and almost like all that energy is about to burst right out of your skin. You might also feel a bit warm, sweaty, or notice yourself having a higher heart rate than normal 😅 I find this to be the case more often when I have too much caffeine, or have coffee on an empty stomach. 

• strong coffee dependence - Back in my coffee-bingeing days, I wouldn't be able to go more than a couple hours in the morning without coffee before getting a splitting headache. If this is how you feel with coffee (or energy drinks, or anything else for that matter), you are creeping into the boundaries of dependence. I want my food and drinks to nourish my body and work for me, not feel controlled by a habit (especially when it may not be serving my health beneficially 👀)

• brain fog- You should be able to feel mentally clear and stay focused without caffeine. If you are relying on coffee to “wake you up” and allow you to focus in the mornings, there may be something else going on. Removing coffee, or even taking a break from it, can allow you to become more in tune with your body and how it is functioning.

• poor sleep- Do you struggle falling asleep? It may have to do with your caffeine intake… especially if you drink (or eat!) caffeine later in the afternoon or evening.

• difficulty regulating emotions- When you are stressed, it is often harder to control your emotions. Hi, mood swings and outbursts 👋 Caffeine can increase those feelings of stress, and if your emotional and stress resilience is low, it can exacerbate those emotions. This is always a sign for me to limit my caffeine intake and show my nervous system some love 

Best High-Quality Coffee Alternatives

These coffee alternatives are all ones I have drank for extended periods of times myself-- and not only are they a good alternative when it comes to taste, but they are packed with nourishing, high-quality ingredients. Things like organic cacao that's full of antioxidant compounds that neutralize free radicals, b vitamins, adaptogenic mushrooms that boost cognitive function, and even ingredients that can help to balance blood sugar levels, support healthy blood pressure, and even more potential health benefits. Here are some of my tried and true favorites if you are looking to limit (or completely cut out) your regular coffee... 

Mud WTR

If you love hot chocolate, this is an excellent choice 😇 I have talked about MUD on the blog before, and I really think it was one of the OG's in this "healthy alternatives for coffee" space. Their :rise Cacao version is made with organic masala chai full of organic cinnamon, organic turmeric, organic ginger, organic cardamom, organic black pepper, organic nutmeg, organic cloves, organic cacao, organic lion's mane mushrooms, organic chaga mushrooms, organic reishi mushrooms, organic cordyceps mushrooms, ​and sea salt. 

All those mushrooms are known as adaptogens and they all help to support focus, sustained energy and your immune system without the crash 👏 

I have always big a big fan of dirty chai tea lattes and that is exactly what the :rise Cacao reminds me of. The instructions tell you to mix it with a few ounces of hot water, but I am telling you-- froth up some milk and it levels it up even more and gives you a really rich, creamy drink for your morning routine. 

Some of my other favorites of theirs are:

• turmeric mix is perfect for homemade turmeric lattes (also known as a golden latte) and is packed with nourishing ginger, turmeric, and rooibos tea. 

• matcha

Pique Nandaka

The Nandaka is very similar to the MUD/WTR cacao with one big difference- Nandaka does not have the chai masala. Instead it is made with ceremonial peruvian cacao, functional mushrooms to enhance mood and promote cellular renewal, and fermented teas to provide calm, sustained energy. 

It tastes like a warming, hot chocolate drink—except a healthier version thats packed with supportive ingredients! I share more about it in this post here!

​I love that this mix does not have any added sugar or artificial sweeteners-- but as with all things, you can very easily naturally sweeten it if that is more your style. I loved doing a bit of coconut milk frothed with maple syrup and the Nandaka powder 🤤

Shop Pique through the link below and get 15% off plus a free starter kit with your purchase!

Chicory coffee

Miss the rich, roasted flavor of coffee? Chicory root coffee has your back. It’s naturally caffeine-free, tastes similar to coffee, and comes with a bonus: inulin fiber, which supports gut health and keeps digestion happy. Perfect for cozy mornings.

This is a newer one for me to try-- and while it isn't my first choice for a coffee alternative, I do think it is a good option for some. 

Four Sigmatic

The first time I ever tried Four Sigmatic was while going through the checkout line at my local co-op. I saw some of their individual packets of “Calm” lined up and immediately through it in my basket. Ultimate impulse purchase 😅

But I am glad i did!
I discovered one of the best drinks to hep me chill out— the name “Calm” really is so fitting. This drink mix is specifically designed to relax— so unlike some of the others on the list where the mushrooms are chosen for their support in focus and energy, this one is a bit different. I find this is the best drink for a cozy morning at home. It helps me to feel really grounded and chill, without feeling lethargic or tired. It’s the perfect combo to help keep my morning stress-free!

Rasa

A front-running company that prioritized high-quality ingredients! Their herbal coffee alternative is a chicory-based option, but is also packed with herbs and adaptogens. 

Here is the full ingredient list: 

organic roasted chicory, organic roasted burdock, organic shatavari, organic roasted dandelion, organic eleuthero, organic codonopsis, organic roasted date seed, organic roasted maca, organic ceylon cinnamon, organic ashwagandha, organic rhodiola, organic chaga mycelium, & rorganic eishi fruiting body extract

i’m telling you— high quality, organic, and purposeful ingredients 👏

Kamana 

This mesquite coffee is said to taste and brew like coffee. Before researching for this blog post, I had never heard of mesquite as a coffee alternative before. So naturally, I ordered some up to try it and report back. While it is not an exact taste replica as coffee, I think it is one of the closest of any others on the list! There is no bitterness or acidity, and what you get is a really smooth drink. People even use it in their espresso machines-- it seriously brews exactly like it were ground coffee beans!

Herbal Teas

​Personally, I always associate tea with my bedtime routine. So, it wasn't until more recently that I turned to tea for a morning energy boost. They can offer tons of antioxidants and vitamins to help support your health too. Some of my favorite teas are:

• green tea

• peppermint tea

• chai tea

• earl grey (or while you're at it, make it into a yummy london fog)

• yerba mate 
  

Related Reads:

Yerba Mate vs Coffee: Which is better for your health?

Lemon Water

This is the most unlike- coffee kind of drink for your mornings, but i do think it is worth mentioning!

Warm lemon water in the morning is a popular drink to support digestive health-- but did you know it can also be a good caffeine-free option, while still providing a little morning boost? Some people find that the citrus and acidity offer a bit of a wake-up, without any caffeine. Another reason I wanted to add it to this list as an option to try is that it is much more affordable than some of the other drinks on the list.

Bonus, it is a great source of vitamin c!

Are you thinking of cutting out coffee? If so let me know the outcome! Did you notice more sustainable energy? Or maybe fewer mood swings 😉 I’d also love to hear of your favorite coffee alternatives if it isn’t one that I have on the list!

Kaelyn

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