Six months ago, with little fanfare and no real planning, I stopped drinking coffee. For me, it wasn’t a difficult change. I simply replaced it with a custom blend of tea. And I’ve been impressed enough with the results to stick with it. If you’re curious or on the fence about a change of your own, keep reading.
First, why did I want to give up coffee? At the time, I was drinking a cup of modified Bullet Proof Coffee for breakfast, and two to three additional cups throughout the day. As with most coffee drinkers, I noticed the effects of the caffeine wore off quicker. It felt like dropping off a cliff. And I’d even get a bit cranky between cups. Plus, I don’t like cheap stuff. My coffee of choice (Kimera) wasn’t easy on the wallet. So, when my last bag was nearly gone, I decided to try one of my kooky experiments…
Next, what did I replace it with? I blend Green Tea, Pau d’Arco bark, and Stinging Nettles. That’s my current breakfast. No sweetener. Just tea. Then, late morning (usually 16-17 hours after my dinner from the previous night) I’ll brew up another cup, but this time add protein, butter, and MCT oil. That usually holds for several hours. I have a late lunch, then a final cup of plain tea (nothing added) before heading to the gym. All total, 2 – 3 cups per day.
What changes have I noticed?
- First and foremost, I cut my spending in half. Bags of loose tea leaves last a month, or two. A bag of ground Kimera would be empty in two weeks, at most.
- Tea has its own form of caffeine. It metabolizes much differently. A more gradual jolt of energy, a longer duration, and a much slower decline. No more crashes. And no more crankiness.
- Tea contains anti-oxidants. It is good for blood flow. It can help lower cholesterol. And there is research showing it can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. While I haven’t noticed any direct effects there, it does make me feel like I’m making a wiser choice.
- Tea has fewer side effects on your mouth. Staining and coffee breath aren’t a concern.
- And the mineral content of tea can improve bone density and bone strength.
I’ll probably continue to experiment with different forms of tea (mushroom, for example.) But I’m done with coffee. It was a bad romance.
