The Post-Coffee Blues
December 20, 2017 6:27 PM Subscribe
For various health reasons I'm trying to give up coffee and caffeine for good. Life without them is a real drag. I'm looking for alternatives and advice.
I don't want to go into too much detail on why I need to go without coffee and caffeine but basically coffee messes up my stomach and caffeine wrecks my nerves. I have been trying to quit for a few years tbh, but here lately I have done pretty well and am able to go weeks without anything, sometimes even a month.
But having no morning-drink ritual in the morning is really bumming me out. I have tried coffee alternatives like dandelion "coffee" and its alright, but it really makes me run to the bathroom. Why are so many of these coffee alternatives also diuretics?
The other thing is that I sometimes feel like being a coffee addict for this long has permanently altered my brain. Even after being off of it for weeks or months its like my thinking never gets back to normal.
So really I have two questions:
1. Are there any decent coffee alternatives that are caffeine free and are NOT diuretics?
2. Will my thinking post-caffeine ever be normal again? I'd love to hear from people who have quit caffeine
Thank you!
I don't want to go into too much detail on why I need to go without coffee and caffeine but basically coffee messes up my stomach and caffeine wrecks my nerves. I have been trying to quit for a few years tbh, but here lately I have done pretty well and am able to go weeks without anything, sometimes even a month.
But having no morning-drink ritual in the morning is really bumming me out. I have tried coffee alternatives like dandelion "coffee" and its alright, but it really makes me run to the bathroom. Why are so many of these coffee alternatives also diuretics?
The other thing is that I sometimes feel like being a coffee addict for this long has permanently altered my brain. Even after being off of it for weeks or months its like my thinking never gets back to normal.
So really I have two questions:
1. Are there any decent coffee alternatives that are caffeine free and are NOT diuretics?
2. Will my thinking post-caffeine ever be normal again? I'd love to hear from people who have quit caffeine
Thank you!
1. Decaf or tea. I find in particular smoky teas (I have a decaf russian black tea that a Russian friend brings back from Moscow that's heavenly) fill the hearty place that coffee does.
2. If after months you do not feel better mentally, I would get that checked out. If your nerves were off with caffeine and you feel off without it, it could be something chemical going on. Generally speaking, when I've given up caffeine before my cognitive function (minus the morning doldrums that were masked by caffeine) was back to normal after a month.
posted by notorious medium at 6:34 PM on December 20, 2017
2. If after months you do not feel better mentally, I would get that checked out. If your nerves were off with caffeine and you feel off without it, it could be something chemical going on. Generally speaking, when I've given up caffeine before my cognitive function (minus the morning doldrums that were masked by caffeine) was back to normal after a month.
posted by notorious medium at 6:34 PM on December 20, 2017
Don't switch to decaf if your goal is to cut out caffeine rather than just reduce it. Decaf coffee still has caffeine in it - sometimes surprisingly high amounts. The same is true of decaf teas AFAIK.
I wonder if you maybe should cast your net wider than "coffee substitutes"? For me, nothing is really a substitute - nothing tastes like coffee but coffee. But some things do scratch the same itch. If I want a ritual that takes me away from my desk, tea works (you could do herbal). If I want something warm and rich in the morning, hot cocoa works.
Caffeine shouldn't have permanently altered your thinking. I agree that you should get it checked out if it doesn't go away after a month or two.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 6:38 PM on December 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I wonder if you maybe should cast your net wider than "coffee substitutes"? For me, nothing is really a substitute - nothing tastes like coffee but coffee. But some things do scratch the same itch. If I want a ritual that takes me away from my desk, tea works (you could do herbal). If I want something warm and rich in the morning, hot cocoa works.
Caffeine shouldn't have permanently altered your thinking. I agree that you should get it checked out if it doesn't go away after a month or two.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 6:38 PM on December 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I love coffee but have been trying to limit caffeine for reasons. I totally get you on the morning-ritual aspect! Over the last few years I've gone from 3 cups a day to 1 small cup a day. Decaf has helped, but sometimes it just makes me want 'real' coffee.
Try steamed milk with small, then gradually diminishing amounts of instant coffee, over time. You really don't need a lot to give you a hint of that lovely coffee flavor. I find the milk also levels off the effects of caffeine somewhat.
posted by estherbester at 7:09 PM on December 20, 2017
Try steamed milk with small, then gradually diminishing amounts of instant coffee, over time. You really don't need a lot to give you a hint of that lovely coffee flavor. I find the milk also levels off the effects of caffeine somewhat.
posted by estherbester at 7:09 PM on December 20, 2017
Rooibos and bori-cha (barley tea) are my go-to non-coffee hot drinks. I don't know if either is a diuretic though, they don't feel like it to me.
posted by mustardayonnaise at 7:29 PM on December 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by mustardayonnaise at 7:29 PM on December 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
mentally, the best replacement for caffeine is an extra hour of sleep.
As for the ritual or experience- decaf tea or maybe a chai latte are what I try to fall back on. Still a little bit of caffeine but significantly less.
posted by noloveforned at 7:43 PM on December 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
As for the ritual or experience- decaf tea or maybe a chai latte are what I try to fall back on. Still a little bit of caffeine but significantly less.
posted by noloveforned at 7:43 PM on December 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
Have you tried espresso or a short black Americano? Limiting it to just the morning? Regular drip gives me cramps and the runs. Morning coffee gives me a reason to live while afternoon coffee produces fearful apprehension.
posted by bonobothegreat at 7:52 PM on December 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by bonobothegreat at 7:52 PM on December 20, 2017 [3 favorites]
A good hot chocolate? If you miss the preparation ritual you can get serious and do the melted chocolate style, too.
posted by the agents of KAOS at 8:28 PM on December 20, 2017
posted by the agents of KAOS at 8:28 PM on December 20, 2017
I've had to give up caffeine and I loved my coffee. My new morning ritual is a cup of steamed milk - which is reminiscent of the cappuccino I would get each morning. In the evening I have a rooibos tea, which is nothing like coffee, but more interesting than other forms of tea.
posted by Toddles at 8:49 PM on December 20, 2017
posted by Toddles at 8:49 PM on December 20, 2017
Oops, I forgot to add, now that I don't drink coffee I can actually take really lovely naps on the weekends. I haven't done that since I was 5. They are amazing - and I recommend it.
posted by Toddles at 8:50 PM on December 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Toddles at 8:50 PM on December 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
1. Nothing fills the void but I use fresh mint, fresh ginger & lemon slices, dried hibiscus or white tea when I want to feel awake but not buzzy.
2. My brain has never been the same. Sleep and hard workouts help a lot. I'm pretty sure I burned out some receptors on espresso — after 1-3 mugs and 1-3 doppios a day for six years, I was so sensitive that even the smell of coffee produced a noticeable personality change (according to friends). The stuff tasted like liquid gold, my whole body flushed with pleasure every time, sometimes I'd get goosebumps. I was rolling in good ideas and extremely affectionate and friendly, like people on molly. Then I went out one day to buy my usual and – my espresso tasted burnt? Strange, I was at my favorite shop, they had the best pulls in town. I sent it back. But the second cup was the same way. Over the course of the next week I made my rounds and my palate was ineffably altered, my whole qualia shifted, the flavors tasted sharp and grating instead of sweet and round. I didn't feel up, bright and chatty anymore. Now sipping caff made me anxious and alexithymic. My desire to drink it, once a lightning bolt, suddenly hovered between disinterest and repulsion. I detoxed for a month and tried again. No change. My brain was fuzzy for ages, much longer than people say. After a year I was able to go back to half a cup of coffee or one espresso, no more, and only in the morning. More than that and I regress. That amazing mindblowing high has never come back. I've mostly shifted to black teas which don't induce anxiety? Puzzling.
posted by fritillary at 9:20 PM on December 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
2. My brain has never been the same. Sleep and hard workouts help a lot. I'm pretty sure I burned out some receptors on espresso — after 1-3 mugs and 1-3 doppios a day for six years, I was so sensitive that even the smell of coffee produced a noticeable personality change (according to friends). The stuff tasted like liquid gold, my whole body flushed with pleasure every time, sometimes I'd get goosebumps. I was rolling in good ideas and extremely affectionate and friendly, like people on molly. Then I went out one day to buy my usual and – my espresso tasted burnt? Strange, I was at my favorite shop, they had the best pulls in town. I sent it back. But the second cup was the same way. Over the course of the next week I made my rounds and my palate was ineffably altered, my whole qualia shifted, the flavors tasted sharp and grating instead of sweet and round. I didn't feel up, bright and chatty anymore. Now sipping caff made me anxious and alexithymic. My desire to drink it, once a lightning bolt, suddenly hovered between disinterest and repulsion. I detoxed for a month and tried again. No change. My brain was fuzzy for ages, much longer than people say. After a year I was able to go back to half a cup of coffee or one espresso, no more, and only in the morning. More than that and I regress. That amazing mindblowing high has never come back. I've mostly shifted to black teas which don't induce anxiety? Puzzling.
posted by fritillary at 9:20 PM on December 20, 2017 [4 favorites]
Try Yerba Mate. It's a tea that largely consumed in South America.
"Unlike coffee, it rarely causes caffeine jitters or interferes with sleep, and is not acid forming. Yerba mate drinkers describe the caffeine boost they get as gentle, clean, calm, and generally not as addictive as coffee."*
That describes my experience with it, both for it's own sake and as a way to taper off coffee
posted by danl at 10:34 PM on December 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
"Unlike coffee, it rarely causes caffeine jitters or interferes with sleep, and is not acid forming. Yerba mate drinkers describe the caffeine boost they get as gentle, clean, calm, and generally not as addictive as coffee."*
That describes my experience with it, both for it's own sake and as a way to taper off coffee
posted by danl at 10:34 PM on December 20, 2017 [1 favorite]
I quit coffee about 2 months ago; I’m not off caffeine entirely but have 1 cup of green tea in the morning. I’ll re-steep the leaves about 5 times, it’s basically hot water by the end. I drank 3-5 cups of coffee every day for many many years. The green tea has caffeine but much less and I have less anxiety and stomach weirdness than what I had been starting to get with coffee. It definitely works as a ritual, I’ve been going deep into Japanese green teas. And only as I’m writing this out now am I realizing how much I’m filling that coffee void with it! I was taking daily naps for a month or so and I’m usually not napping anymore. Seem to be sleeping better at this point. I can’t quite specify what’s still weird now at 2 months, but I definitely have a feeling that I’m still adjusting.
posted by jeweled accumulation at 10:48 PM on December 20, 2017
posted by jeweled accumulation at 10:48 PM on December 20, 2017
Be careful with the hot chocolate/cocoa, as they'll contain caffeine as well.
posted by kate4914 at 11:01 PM on December 20, 2017
posted by kate4914 at 11:01 PM on December 20, 2017
My partner gave up caffeine and now drinks this as his morning beverage (it's called Pero, and it's made from barley but is apparently a decent substitute for coffee).
posted by too bad you're not me at 12:16 AM on December 21, 2017
posted by too bad you're not me at 12:16 AM on December 21, 2017
I used to have a nervous stomach in the morning (sometimes I still do, in stressful times) and I really enjoy the soothing anise-flavor of fennel tea. Gentle on the tummy. Reduces gas. Tastes yummy. Good for digestion. No fuss, no muss - you can get bagged tea or loose, or fresh!
posted by Dressed to Kill at 4:26 AM on December 21, 2017
posted by Dressed to Kill at 4:26 AM on December 21, 2017
I got this as a gift. After the first shock of a peppery tea it became a favorite afternoon drink, now sadly used up. It tastes stimulating. Less pricey, you could try sage tea, another "warm" flavor.
posted by Botanizer at 5:51 AM on December 21, 2017
posted by Botanizer at 5:51 AM on December 21, 2017
There have bee some really cool advances in decaffeination technology lately for coffee. If you have to give up coffee altogether, this might not be an option, but if it's primarily caffeine avoidance, I would start looking for coffees that are labeled 'sugarcane process' or 'sugarcane E.A.'.
These coffees are, really, really good. My cutoff time for caffeine intake is like, around 1pm, but I'll drink this stuff into the night right before bed.
I've had the opportunity to do some blind tastings with several lots of coffee that have been split into three selections; one regular as a control, the Swiss water process and one which the sugarcane process has been applied to. The regular coffee tastes like, well, regular coffee. The Swiss water process tends to get a huge dent into its acidity, complexity and the body or viscosity of the coffee is just nuked. With the sugarcane process, you do get a smaller dent into acidity, but it's not huge. Acidity drops a bit, but complexity stays pretty close to 'there.' It's obvious that the coffee from the sugarcane process is the same as the control, but it's just slightly lacking, as opposed to just being thin watery brown awful that swiss water process is. The reductions in the natural acidity present in the coffee might make it an option for you.
They're still kind of hard to find. Mostly this is happening with Colombian coffees. You could DM me for a couple coffees that are the 'sugarcane' process. Alternatively, you can call up Cafe Imports and ask them specifically where to find those coffees.
Oh, they also appear to be roasted much darker than their unprocessed counterparts. Don't let this shock you; you'll likely still enjoy it.
posted by furnace.heart at 6:26 AM on December 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
These coffees are, really, really good. My cutoff time for caffeine intake is like, around 1pm, but I'll drink this stuff into the night right before bed.
I've had the opportunity to do some blind tastings with several lots of coffee that have been split into three selections; one regular as a control, the Swiss water process and one which the sugarcane process has been applied to. The regular coffee tastes like, well, regular coffee. The Swiss water process tends to get a huge dent into its acidity, complexity and the body or viscosity of the coffee is just nuked. With the sugarcane process, you do get a smaller dent into acidity, but it's not huge. Acidity drops a bit, but complexity stays pretty close to 'there.' It's obvious that the coffee from the sugarcane process is the same as the control, but it's just slightly lacking, as opposed to just being thin watery brown awful that swiss water process is. The reductions in the natural acidity present in the coffee might make it an option for you.
They're still kind of hard to find. Mostly this is happening with Colombian coffees. You could DM me for a couple coffees that are the 'sugarcane' process. Alternatively, you can call up Cafe Imports and ask them specifically where to find those coffees.
Oh, they also appear to be roasted much darker than their unprocessed counterparts. Don't let this shock you; you'll likely still enjoy it.
posted by furnace.heart at 6:26 AM on December 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
My wife gave up caffeine when she was pregnant with our second kid and hasn't gone back since. Kiddo will turn 3 this week.
She switches between Bigelow Mint Medley (a blend of spearmint and peppermint) and Yorkshire Decaffeinated Tea (Amazon link), which makes a strong brew if you let it steep.
She's a more effective human in the mornings than I am, and I drink two cups of coffee a day, and sometimes a Mountain Dew in the afternoon if I feel like I'm dragging. But I also don't get to sleep as early as she does, which probably doesn't help me.
Otherwise, a brisk walk is a great way to wake up and clear your head. It's not the same jolt as coffee, but probably all-around better for you. If you work in an office and can't get away from your desk, you can do a variety of exercises in and around your office to get active. Also, you might find it helpful to get a standing desk, which makes it easier to move around and stay active in little ways, and can generally keep you more alert. I've had a standing desk for about a year, and I'm quite fond of it. I don't have a proper set-up, just an organizational paper-sorter bin as a keyboard stand and a cardboard box for my mouse, with another sturdy box for my monitors.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:55 AM on December 21, 2017
She switches between Bigelow Mint Medley (a blend of spearmint and peppermint) and Yorkshire Decaffeinated Tea (Amazon link), which makes a strong brew if you let it steep.
She's a more effective human in the mornings than I am, and I drink two cups of coffee a day, and sometimes a Mountain Dew in the afternoon if I feel like I'm dragging. But I also don't get to sleep as early as she does, which probably doesn't help me.
Otherwise, a brisk walk is a great way to wake up and clear your head. It's not the same jolt as coffee, but probably all-around better for you. If you work in an office and can't get away from your desk, you can do a variety of exercises in and around your office to get active. Also, you might find it helpful to get a standing desk, which makes it easier to move around and stay active in little ways, and can generally keep you more alert. I've had a standing desk for about a year, and I'm quite fond of it. I don't have a proper set-up, just an organizational paper-sorter bin as a keyboard stand and a cardboard box for my mouse, with another sturdy box for my monitors.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:55 AM on December 21, 2017
All great suggestions above. If you're open to the idea, I'd also suggest a consult with an acupuncturist for the caffeine withdrawal. When I found out that I was pregnant, I gave up all caffeine and one positive side effect of acupuncture was practically zero withdrawal. Meditating before bed with headphones and soothing sounds also can help calm nerves for a better night's sleep.
posted by onecircleaday at 8:38 AM on December 21, 2017
posted by onecircleaday at 8:38 AM on December 21, 2017
Yes, your post-caffeine thinking will return to normal but it takes time. It took me several months to get back to normal. I felt dulled for a long time but like you had to quit for health reasons so just had to stick it out. Knowing it would eventually get better helped.
I've not had coffee in 18 months now and I actually don't miss it now which I never thought would happen. I don't crave it at all and have little interest in trying coffee. I tried to quit many times before but this is my most successful stint, achieved by cutting it out totally. On previous occasions I drank decaf, then ended up back on coffee again in a few months so I agree it might be best to avoid that.
My morning ritual now involves cooking a healthy breakfast. I now don't really need the morning drink ritual anymore and just drink water or herbal teas when I need a drink. I keep a nice cool jug of water in the fridge, add lemon, cucumber mint etc if I'm feeling fancy. Most cafes have a nice selection of herbal teas or fresh mint so that helps with the social aspect of caffeine.
Hang in there, quitting caffeine is tough. But there is life after coffee.
posted by BAKERSFIELD! at 2:41 PM on December 21, 2017
I've not had coffee in 18 months now and I actually don't miss it now which I never thought would happen. I don't crave it at all and have little interest in trying coffee. I tried to quit many times before but this is my most successful stint, achieved by cutting it out totally. On previous occasions I drank decaf, then ended up back on coffee again in a few months so I agree it might be best to avoid that.
My morning ritual now involves cooking a healthy breakfast. I now don't really need the morning drink ritual anymore and just drink water or herbal teas when I need a drink. I keep a nice cool jug of water in the fridge, add lemon, cucumber mint etc if I'm feeling fancy. Most cafes have a nice selection of herbal teas or fresh mint so that helps with the social aspect of caffeine.
Hang in there, quitting caffeine is tough. But there is life after coffee.
posted by BAKERSFIELD! at 2:41 PM on December 21, 2017
I can't believe no one has mentioned Dandy Blend!! It's chicory "coffee" and I like it almost as much as real coffee, at least taste wise. And it at least claims to have some health benefits. It is pretty dang good. I am on my phone but here is the link: https://dandyblend.com. I've seen it at some health food stores.
I would also play around also with different herbal teas, maybe decaf black teas. If you can tolerate decaf, I would do that, maybe with like a weakish coffee like Folgers.
Also a decaf "chai" type tea could be really good, especially if made
With some streamed milk and honey. I hated when I was off coffee, but I found having something yummy and hot and maybe a little sweet in the morning helped me a lot. You could also go into a tea house and ask what they suggest for a good caffeine free but yummy tea. Good luck!!
posted by Rocket26 at 6:21 PM on December 21, 2017
I would also play around also with different herbal teas, maybe decaf black teas. If you can tolerate decaf, I would do that, maybe with like a weakish coffee like Folgers.
Also a decaf "chai" type tea could be really good, especially if made
With some streamed milk and honey. I hated when I was off coffee, but I found having something yummy and hot and maybe a little sweet in the morning helped me a lot. You could also go into a tea house and ask what they suggest for a good caffeine free but yummy tea. Good luck!!
posted by Rocket26 at 6:21 PM on December 21, 2017
My grandmother drank Postum, a roast-grain-based ersatz coffee thing, every morning. She said there was a tea shortage during WWI or WWII (she lived through both and I've forgotten the details) and her doctor had told her a cup of something hot in the morning was good for her (simpler times, simpler medical advice) and she "just got used to it." Sometimes later in life she just had a cup of hot water. And she made it to 102, so it probably wasn't actively harmful .
In re peeing, I wonder if you've considered substituting the ritualized-consumption thing with some kind of solid food? I don't know what kind to suggest--it is personal--but if there's something you can look forward to every morning that might give you a psychological boost to substitute for the sweet sweet coffee thing...
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 9:45 AM on December 24, 2017
In re peeing, I wonder if you've considered substituting the ritualized-consumption thing with some kind of solid food? I don't know what kind to suggest--it is personal--but if there's something you can look forward to every morning that might give you a psychological boost to substitute for the sweet sweet coffee thing...
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 9:45 AM on December 24, 2017
Chicory is also a diuretic, which is probably why people aren't mentioning chicory-based substitutes. It's explicitly not what the OP is asking for.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 10:23 AM on December 24, 2017
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 10:23 AM on December 24, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Mogur at 6:29 PM on December 20, 2017