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Don’t get me wrong, I love healthy coffee. I’m reaching an age where I have to stop drinking it by 2:00pm or I won’t sleep at night. If I want to enjoy a non-water beverage then I turn to the list below of healthy caffeine alternatives.
I’ve got both hot and cold options that will help you enjoy a tasty drink alone or with friends, without the effects of caffeine.
Hot Caffeine Alternatives
I’ve lovingly created every one of the drinks listed below over several years and use them all throughout the year. I love offering the warm almond milk steamer to my kids as an evening treat without chocolate, and I enjoy the pink moon milk as a way to destress in the afternoon.
Whether you want a creamy, latte-like experience or a fruity warming drink, I’ve got the perfect recipe for you!
Cold Caffeine Alternatives
When everyone else is reaching for a can of *insert preferred soda here* I like to lean on some caffeine-free refreshment. Caffeine can often make people jittery and can also affect blood sugar levels (even if the drink isn’t sugary!). Here are my go-to cold drinks:
Healthy Caffeine Alternatives FAQs
If you’d like a warm option, go for my warm almond milk. It’s got the creaminess of a fancy coffee beverage, without the caffeine spike. If you want to go the cold route, my chia Fresca will give you a natural energy bump without the slump after a few hours.
Chia Fresca is a great pick-me-up when you need a good energy boost. For a warmer option, my detox tea recipe is a great way to start the day without caffeine. It wakes you up and gets your metabolism moving without any kind of mid-morning crash.
Natural caffeine comes in many forms: coffee (without all the fluffy extras), black or green tea, or cacao. Yet if you want a truly caffeine-free option, you can check out my list of healthy caffeine alternatives for delicious beverages to get you through your day.
How to Break Up with Caffeine
I realized my love of coffee was quickly turning into dependency as a young, working mom who was struggling to have energy by 3:00pm. I wanted to stop relying on caffeine yet didn’t want to just replace it with another dependency on sugar, etc. So I turned to a holistic nutritionist who helped me create a whole food, plant-based cleanse to truly help my body detox.
In the end, caffeine was no longer running my life, I was! I had so much natural energy I even picked up my love for running again. I now participate in some version of this cleanse at the start of each season to help reset my body and mind for the months ahead. I’d love for you to join me if you want to break free from caffeine (sugar, sluggishness, trouble with sleeping, low energy), too!
Naturally Energized Morning Routine
If you’re looking to ditch the morning caffeine fix and focus on healthy caffeine alternatives, then you need to focus on your morning routine. Here’s how I start my day caffeine-free:
- Don’t look at my phone upon waking, instead, I quietly set my intention for the day, then do some light stretching.
- Do start with the best detox tea to wake up my metabolism and give me a warming start.
- Don’t immediately turn on the TV or other electronic devices.
- Do try and step outside for some fresh air as soon as possible. For me, this happens when I take my dog for his morning walk. It helps wake both of us up.
- Do blend a green smoothie for nourishment and natural energy.
I find these five simple dos and don’ts really set me up for success in my day and honestly give me more energy than espresso does. Give this routine a try for a week and see how your body feels, you might just be surprised. Then leave a comment letting me know how you feel!
I’m really starting to notice caffeine withdrawal in the afternoon, so I’m inching closer to swapping my morning cup of comfort to something else. I love that you have so many fun recipes to try, hot AND cold. Many of my friends only do iced coffee, even in the morning! But, I love the warmer options for something cozy. The first one I want to try is the lavender tea. Do you recommend Matcha?
Hey there Delany,
Great question. Matcha green tea powder does have some health benefits and a more moderate amount of caffeine compared to coffee. It would be a great tool to decrease your dependency on caffeine over time. We have some recipes you could use to get you started: How to Make a Matcha Latte and this delicious Vanilla Matcha Smoothie. We have awesome seasonal cleanses too, to help you kick the caffeine habit and feel more energized than ever. Click here to check out our 2022 Autumn Cleanse. You’ve got this!
The slow cooker apple cider is the best. Love that stuff this time of year! And it makes my house smell so good.
Have had the warm spiced almond milk many times. I’ve found that I’m not always needing caffeine, but just something hot to drink—especially at night. I want to try some of the other drinks here!
I love the Detox Tea in the morning – the lemon, ginger and cayenne really give me that burst of energy I need to get going. It really wakes me up. It can be a little rough on my stomach first thing (but so is coffee!), so I usually eat something while drinking it.
And my fave before bed – the Spiced Almond Milk. Perfect way to relax and transition into winding down for the night. I have a hard time falling asleep most nights, so this really helps me.
This pregnant mama thanks you for this post! I love warm drinks this time of year, but am trying to cut back on the caffeine. That warm almond milk reminds me of a steamer; can’t wait to try it!