Experiment: A Week Without Coffee & Smart Alternatives

The first thing I do in the morning is grab my “All You Need is Love and Cats’”mug, pop in a medium roast coffee pod into the Keurig, and add in vanilla creamer. Heaven. This ritual has been in place ever since waking up early was a part of my daily routine, and continued further when long, restless nights of studying came around. The fresh morning smell from my cup is just one of the 450 million made daily . You can’t deny coffee consumption is a religious experience, and the urge for a second and maybe even a third throughout the day becomes repetitive.

With the endless flavors and our favorite coffee shop’s brew, its many forms help us begin our day. However, we tend to forget that the addictive stimulant in coffee, caffeine, can begin to show its effects when over-consumption occurs.

Stress levels arise around lunch time, heartburn is knocking at the door, and the hallucinations begin to settle in. Coffee can soon become the enemy when it is practically substituted for water. The long-term effects like nervousness, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, and increased rapid heart rate ultimately keep victims captured in the vicious cycle that is caffeine; myself included.

That streak ends now. I am stepping outside the coffee comatose, and for a week I will be experimenting with substitutions to boost my energy level throughout the days. My first alternative is decaf coffee. The taste and smell mimic that of a dark roast cup, but lacks the zing that I expect from an average cup of joe. Without even finishing an entire cup, I poured the rest of the watery mixture down the drain. Lacking a source of energy, decaffeinated coffee is just a tease. If you are someone that can’t seem to get away from the aroma and taste of coffee, then this alternative is right for you. However, decaf coffee is also said to increase the risk of high cholesterol in drinkers and is produced with beans of higher fat content.

Moving on to a slightly healthier beverage that one can find at any favored coffee hub, chai tea is based on black tea and different spices like ginger. Although black tea contains caffeine, Rooibos Chai is the opposite of that, while still blending the zest of spices together. Other popular spices like cinnamon, cardamom, fennel and black pepper can be mixed into chai tea, giving the drinker some natural energy. You have to drink three cups of this spice blend to acquire the same amount of caffeine in one cup of coffee. I would be bouncing off the walls. Chai tea was one of my go-to’s during my coffee hiatus because of the delicious flavor and a jitterless school day.

My next experiment was to only drink herbal tea as an alternative for a day. Earl grey or mint (both containing zero caffeine) mixed with natural honey was personally my favorite. With constipation relief and fighting acid reflux, earl grey tea was beneficial to cleaning out my body and left me feeling extremely energized without a super crash later in the day. Herbal teas are known for preventing cancers because of the lack of chemicals in them, as well as cardiovascular disease. It is always great to have tea bags handy and to be able to control what you put in them.

My last alternative is a twist on decaffeinated coffee: Pop & Bottle almond milk lattes. I found these colorful and proportionally smart drinks at my local food store. 100% organic, no dairy, vegan, and completely a women-run company, Pop & Bottle introduced me to the better side of waking up. Specifically, drinking their golden turmeric almond latte containing zero caffeine, I was able to get my day started in a new and tasteful way.

The London-based beverage line is based on genuine healthfulness meeting delicious taste, in a convenient format.

What a week it was, especially in the midst of midterms and the circumstances of the world around us. I was able to keep my sanity and liveliness without the dependency of coffee.

I know it is hard to stray away from the norms we routinely get accustomed to, but I strongly suggest taking a break from coffee or caffeinated products and see how your body reacts. I was nervous for the potential weakness and body aches to occur while not being under caffeine’s spell, but as a result, each day I felt better than the last.

For surviving a week free of coffee, I got myself a large macchiato with almond milk as a reward, because, well, I always seem to go back to it in the long run.