Addicted to Coffee? Consider These Healthy Alternatives

Looking to take a coffee break (or quit altogether)? You've come to the right place. While we love the feeling of the first sip of a morning cappuccino, coffee isn't the most reliable of energy sources. Let's face it—coffee has some serious downsides including headaches, jitters and compromised sleep.

There are times throughout the day (we're talking about you, 3pm) when you tend to feel sluggish and lacking in energy to get you through. Instead of ordering another coffee to fix the issue, try one of these alternatives for a boost.

Kombucha
Black tea available in a range of delicious flavours? Count us in. A visit to any supermarket will reveal rows of pre-made options for a kombucha fix. They contain probiotics and antioxidants that help with digestion, ideal for that after lunch pick me up. With a much smaller amount of caffeine than coffee, you won't have any trouble drifting off to sleep at night either.

Lemon Water
The reason you're feeling fatigued may simply be that you're dehydrated. Before reaching for a steamy roast, make sure you're hitting your quota of two litres of water a day for a start. Throw in the juice of half a lemon for a zesty kick that'll awaken the senses.

Matcha
Unlike coffee, the caffeine in matcha is delivered slowly, so your energy levels won't crash an hour later. Delivering an intense, earthy flavour, matcha has substantially more antioxidants than regular green tea. Research shows that drinking matcha can assist with concentration, the first thing to go when you're feeling low on energy.

Protein Smoothie
Protein isn't just something to consume after a workout. Getting enough protein each day is critical to provide your body with the energy it needs to properly function. Downing a protein smoothie is more filling than a cup of coffee, but you'll be rewarded with consistent energy and blood sugar levels, and increased concentration.

Peppermint Tea
As well as leaving your mouth feeling minty fresh, peppermint tea's benefits include relieving headaches and muscle pain, two things that can bring your workday to a grinding halt. So, the next time you're feeling less than optimal, sip on a peppermint tea and return to your desk feeling refreshed.

If you are concerned about your health, wellbeing or sleep, your first port of call should be your GP, who will advise a correct treatment plan.

Want to know more? This is what happens to your body when you stop drinking coffee.