It seems as if many people pursuing a healthier lifestyle are confused about what to do with coffee. While most people in the holistic health movement stay away from it because of the side effects and its habit-forming nature, others tend to stick with it because of various studies that have shown its benefits.
Coffee can give you a boost of energy, obviously, has many antioxidants and even can help prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia according to recent studies.
But the negative side effects of coffee should also be taken into consideration, especially over the long-term. The habit-forming part is not as much of a challenge for the disciplined consumer, but coffee’s tendency to dehydrate the body, to drain the adrenal glands over time, stain teeth, and even contribute to constipation because of the former side effect are difficult for many to overcome.
If you do plan on drinking coffee, make sure it’s organic, because its production often includes heavy use of pesticides.
But it may be best to skip the coffee altogether as the basis of your diet and to find alternatives for more sustained, reliable energy, whether at work or just for everyday life.
As a professional journalist who once worked a 6 a.m. shift at a major metropolitan newspaper on Fridays directly after working late at a smaller newspaper on Thursdays, I used to rely on coffee quite a bit. But I’ve managed to take control of my cravings and end my need for caffeine through a shift in my eating and drinking habits. My adrenal glands still haven’t recovered yet, however, according to a recent test that placed my adrenal reserves near the bottom of the barrel. I’m currently in the process of building them back up, but it’s best not to dig that hole for yourself in the first place.
Here are some unique natural ways to wean yourself off of coffee.
The coffee bean trick for weaning yourself off of coffee naturally
According to holistic health coach Paul Chek, carrying around actual coffee beans in your pocket and chewing on them when you have a craving is a smart way to wean yourself off of coffee naturally. He recommends chewing on three of them at a time when a serious craving hits. The bitter taste may be unwelcome, but you’ll get a little caffeine from the juice. Over time, your mind will associate it with an unpleasant sensation and it will be easier to stop craving it.
I personally haven’t tried this one yet but Chek is one of the best no-nonsense natural health coaches out there so it’s definitely worth a try.
Wean yourself off of coffee with yerba mate, maca and other substitutes
Since it can be difficult for some people to quit caffeine-based beverages cold turkey, alternatives such as yerba mate and even green tea can be used.
Both should be purchased organically, especially the green tea which is mass produced and heavily processed. The green tea contains a considerably smaller amount of caffeine than your typical coffee and is less habit forming.
Consuming Maca root powder in a smoothie in the morning is also an excellent way to wean yourself off of coffee naturally. I take some with a half a banana (eating the other half so it absorbs more slowly in my bloodstream, as it is high in sugar) and also add in some organic cacao and various other superfoods such as chia and/or hemp seeds.
Maca is a hormone balancer and a much more gentle stimulant in comparison to coffee that will help you focus and gain mental clarity.
Finally, consuming yerba mate tea is an excellent way to wean yourself off of coffee. It too supports mental clarity and has a nice kick to it that will awaken your senses. It has traditionally been used in Brazil and Paraguay as an energizer with a substance in it similar to caffeine that is also non-habit forming. I like the loose leaf kind you’ll find at your local health food store.
After using the yerba mate for a while to wean myself off coffee, I’ve since switched to a different Amazon blend of tea as I didn’t have as much need the stimulant anymore, or peppermint tea and other similar drinks. The mere smell of a good, honest peppermint beverage or essential oil has been shown to stimulate the mind as well.
The yerba mate tea is also a potent detoxifier and immune system supporter, meaning that you’ll get plenty of benefits from it beyond just an extra boost of energy.
With so many ways to energize your mind and body outside of coffee like maca, yerbamate tea and other superfoods, it simply doesn’t make much sense to me personally to consume coffee more than once a month at most. Everyone has their own personal preferences, but after finding out how it contributed to my massive adrenal deficiencies, I have moved on to bigger and better things.
This article originally appeared on AltHealthWorks: http://althealthworks.com/355/how-to-wean-yourself-off-of-coffee-the-natural-way/
