Let’s talk about coffee and caffeine. Is it a health-promoting magical elixir? Is it harmless? Or could it maybe even be detrimental to your health? We will cover that and I'll even show you a few coffee alternatives for those of you who decide it's time to kick the coffee.

Recently, we posted on Instagram a graphic offering some suggestions and alternatives for those ditching coffee, and many of you came back and wanted to know what the big deal with caffeine was.

If you’re a healthy person eating a balanced whole food diet, coffee probably isn’t so bad, especially if you only have one cup a morning. The same goes for those who might enjoy black or green tea on occasion. If you’re having trouble getting regular sleep, reversing chronic illness, or just plain need it to get through your day, then maybe it’s time to ditch the caffeine habit or at least give it a rest.

I know for me, I don’t drink coffee because I don’t have a tolerance for it, nor do I want to develop a tolerance for it. It makes me jittery, irritable, and affects my sleep habits. It’s easy to see how people can get into a habit of drinking it, because it has an addictive cycle that can easily snowball out of control.

In an earlier interview I did with Dr. Klaper, he said the oils in coffee specifically can upset the stomach lining and the gastro-intestinal system. It also stains the teeth, and raises blood pressure. Caffeine in the form of green tea can be benign if taken in small amounts.

He did also say that caffeine is a pleasant stimulant, and that’s where I have a problem with it. In small amounts for otherwise healthy people, a little caffeine from tea isn’t an issue. But since it is technically a drug, it can be a pleasure trap, especially if you’re loading it up with dairy milk, cream, sugar, and syrups. If you’re looking to coffee and caffeine for their positive benefits then I say, what about the positive benefits you receive from eating a whole food plant based diet? I know many people on their quest for health and wellness ditch caffeine as part of their whole-food healthy journey, and I can understand why. There are so many coffee alternatives on the market that are delicious and have that same great roasty taste, not to mention all of the delicious herbal teas that you can drink. For those of you looking to ditch coffee or cut back, we put together this video with 5 great alternatives you can try.

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Hibiscus Tea

We love that this is a concentrate that you can use throughout the week and make hot or cold!

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Ingredients:

• 8 cups water
• ½ cup dried hibiscus flowers
• 1 orange, sliced into rings
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 6 cloves

Instructions:

Place all ingredients into a saucepan on the stovetop.

Heat on high until it boils, then turn off the heat, put on the lid and let it steep for at least 15 minutes.

Strain the hibiscus flowers and spices. For a hot beverage, add half the concentrate to a mug and dilute with hot water. For a refreshing summer tea, add half the concentrate to a glass of ice and top with filtered water or sparkling water. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime and enjoy!

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Turmeric Latte

Also known as a golden latte, this drink is perfect for those cold winter months!

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Ingredients:

• 1 cup plant milk
• 2 teaspoons turmeric powder
• 2 teaspoons date powder
• 1 teaspoon ginger powder
• 1 tablespoon cashews (optional)
• pinch of ground pepper
• cinnamon for garnish

Instructions:

Add all of the ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Whisk in a saucepan on the stove until hot. Garnish with cinnamon and enjoy!

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Hot Chocolate

I don’t know anyone in the world who doesn’t love a tasty hot cocoa. This one uses carob so it’s caffeine-free!

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Ingredients:

• 2 cups soy milk
• 2 teaspoons carob powder
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 3 tablespoons date powder
• OR 10 dates

Instructions:

Add all of the ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Whisk in a saucepan on the stove until hot. Garnish with nutmeg and enjoy!

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Dandy Blend Frappuccino

This drink is just as tasty as a Starbucks Frapp.. Only with no sugar and no caffeine!

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Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons Dandy Blend
• 3 tablespoons of Well Your World Date Powder
• OR 6 deglet dates
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 ½ cups ice
• 1 cup plant milk

Instructions:

Add all of the ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a Starbucks cup for nostalgia.