what to drink for energy besides coffee

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The Best 4 Coffee Substitute Products for Energy

Coffee not working for you anymore? It can be hard to replace a classic cup of coffee, but if your body is sending signals it’s time to cut back, these four coffee substitutes may help. After several months of enjoying my new coffee substitutes, I can confidently say I’ve kicked my coffee addiction of 6+ cups a day. If you’re ready for more energy, less anxiety, better sleep and digestion, read on.

What is wrong with too much coffee?

Don’t worry; I’m not coming after your coffee forever and always. I still enjoy a few cups of coffee a week. However, I’m no longer addicted and don’t rely on coffee to get through the day. While high-quality coffee can have health benefits like increased focus, antioxidants, and improved mood, it also has drawbacks. Too much coffee can create a caffeine-dependent cycle.

That first cup of morning coffee often felt great, jolting me awake and ready to work out, cook breakfast for the kids, and throw in a load of laundry. Yet, after an hour, the energy shifted into agitation. And then the crash. Back I went to the coffee machine to boost myself up again. Repeat. Repeat. Crash hard. Slog to bed. Inadequate sleep. Wake up tired. Start again.

Reaching for coffee is common when tired, yet it masks what our body may need, like nutrient-dense foods, time outdoors, or sleep. Continuing to consume caffeine taxes our adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys and regulate cortisol, our stress hormone. Cortisol, when balanced, plays an important part in helping us navigate stressors that come up in life. However, excessive caffeine can trick the adrenals into a false high-alert state, asking them to pump out excessive cortisol levels. Doing this over time can lead to excessive fatigue and hormonal imbalances.

What does too much coffee feel like?

Symptoms of too much coffee can be (1):

  • Jitters
  • Anxiety
  • Irritable mood
  • Poor sleep
  • Racing thoughts
  • Heart palpitations
  • Joint pain
  • Digestive issues
  • Headaches

The best 4 Coffee substitute products for all-day energy

These are my four daily go-to coffee substitute drinks—I love them all! After switching to this daily routine, I feel so much better. Before using these coffee substitute drinks, I’d get a jolt of energy in the morning that eventually turned into jittery anxiety. Then, a crash, dehydration, and bad sleep followed. Now, I have consistent energy, better focus, and stable blood sugar throughout my day! Some of these coffee replacements do have caffeine; however, by drinking these instead of coffee, my energy is better, and I’ve reduced my daily caffeine intake from about 850mg of caffeine a day (I know that’s intense) to under 150mg.

Truthfully, I don’t miss my daily pot of coffee. I occasionally drink a cup as a treat, but I no longer need it to get through a day of homeschooling, work, family life, and blogging. I hope you find these products helpful and as beneficial as I have!

Coffee Substitute Product #1

matcha DNA Certified Organic Matcha Tea

Best Morning Coffee Replacement!

  • USDA Organic
  • Contains Antioxidants, Vitamin B complex, C, Iron, Calcium, Amino Acids and Beta Carotene
  • Calm energy + focus
  • Alkaline (unlike acidic coffee)
  • Gluten-free
  • Easier to digest than coffee
  • Tested for lead and heavy metals

Coffee Substitute Product #2

Plexus Slim Microbiome Activating Pink Drink

Best Clean Energy Drink!

  • Promotes the growth of beneficial gut microbes
  • Increases Lactobacillus  up to 365 times and Bifidobacterium  up to 290 times — contributing to overall health
  • Supports healthy glucose metabolism
  • Helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels already in the normal range
  • Clinically demonstrated to help you lose weight
  • Increases metabolism
  • Minimal caffeine from green coffee bean extract

Coffee Substitute Product #3

Brilliant Brew – The Genius Brand

Best Afternoon Pick-me-up!

  • Loaded with functional mushrooms — Reishi, Cordyceps, Chaga, Turkey Tail, Maitake, and Lion’s Mane
  • Supports focus, immunity, and energy without the jitters or crash
  • Contains Zynamite to improve cognitive function, speeds up reaction time, decrease fatigue and boost energy
  • Non-GMO
  • Free from soy, preservatives, proprietary blends, artificial flavors, unnecessary fillers, or banned substances
  • Zero Sugar
  • 35mg of caffeine per serving

Coffee Substitute Product #4

Plexus Active

Best Clean Energy Pre-Workout Drink!

  • Provides clean, long-lasting energy from Green tea + Yerba Mate
  • Supports performance and mental clarity with L-Theanine
  • Enhances feeling of alertness
  • Supports the body’s natural nitric oxide production
  • Supports improved performance
  • Helps support immune function
  • 100mg caffeine per serving

Frequently Asked Questions about coffee substitute products

The best replacement for coffee is matcha tea, mushroom coffee, or Plexus Slim Pink drink. Each coffee substitute drink is low in caffeine and provides long-lasting energy without the crash.

Plexus Active contains 100mg of caffeine, which is less than a 12-oz cup of coffee. The caffeine in Plexus Active comes from Green Tea extract and Yerba Mate. The added L-Theanine helps with a calm mental focus and clarity. This is an excellent choice for a lower caffeine boost without the jitters, anxiety, or crash.

Mushroom coffee can replace your hot coffee and tea. The Genius Blend from Brilliant Brew has 35mg of caffeine compared to 135mg in a 12 oz cup of coffee. Its cocoa flavor is smooth and creamy with a slight sweetness. It contains six types of mushrooms and can help with mental clarity, clean energy, cognitive function, and improved digestion.

The last thing you need to know about quitting coffee

  • Start slow. Replace one cup of coffee with one of my 4 coffee substitute products in this blog post.
  • Gradually substitute more cups with coffee replacement drinks and extra water. Dehydration can cause fatigue!
  • Give yourself time, at least 1-3 weeks
  • Schedule extra time for rest and sleep
  • You can do it!

References:

  1. Mayo Clinic

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