Coffee isn’t the only way to jumpstart your day. You have plenty of healthy and delicious alternatives to add to your breakfast menu this week. Rev up with these 5 energy-boosting alternatives to coffee.
Don’t get us wrong: coffee does offer health benefits. For example, it may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and protect against abnormal heart rhythms [1]. A cuppa joe also delivers that famous jolt of caffeine. However, that caffeine jolt may be too much for some people, from women who are pregnant to those who are sensitive to the stimulant.
Java drinkers sometimes reach for coffee drinks that are loaded with sugar, fat, and more. A 16-ounce latte at one popular café chain contains nearly 200 calories, 17 grams of sugar, and 22% of daily saturated fat value. Those numbers add up over time. Eventually, you’ll feel them as you try to button your favorite jeans.
Try these alternatives to coffee. The recipes below include clean-eating ingredients that pump up your pep without dragging you right back down with fat, sugar, and junk ingredients.
1. Morning Power-Up Energy Shake
This morning pick-you-up offers a who’s who of superfoods, including kale, banana, flax seeds, and Greek yogurt. From protein to potassium to fiber, this healthy breakfast shake will wake up your taste buds and energy levels.
Wake up to the clean taste of a nutritious smoothie packed with iron, fiber, and flab-fighter pectin. We love this smoothie because it has fewer than five ingredients, which makes it a no-hassle choice when you’re still rubbing sleep from your eyes.
3. Green Tea Kiwi-Berry Smoothie
Green tea is one of our favorite alternatives to coffee. It offers a moderate amount of caffeine (25-50 milligrams), so you benefit from an energy boost without the jitters. It also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that supports brain power by making it easier for your noggin to focus [2].
Chai is a drink with a black tea base, which, like its green tea cousin, offers a moderate amount of caffeine. It also stimulates the metabolism and delivers powerful antioxidants. For a different take on this popular tea drink, try our Chai Orange Latte.
5. Morning Lemon & Mint Detox Water
Energizing your morning doesn’t get much simpler (or more budget-friendly) than this. Lemon helps flush toxins from your system, while mint adds a refreshing flavor. This is also a great soda alternative you can sip throughout the day.
Resources:
[1] WebMD
[2] U.S. National Library of Medicine
Retrived from:skinnyms.com