Content Library Articles Ten Reasons to Quit Your Coffee!

Ten Reasons to Quit Your Coffee!

June 14, 2012

Coffee: is it good or bad for us?

You might get media whiplash trying to figure that out. The truth is, I find this subject to be as confusing as you probably do. After all, the media certainly doesn’t help clarify whether America’s favorite cup of joe is going to land you in the Doc’s office or set you free with a clean bill of health.

And when one night’s news report conflicts with another’s blatantly contradictory messages, it is no wonder why so many of you shrug your shoulders in utter confusion as you refill your morning mug and get on with your day! And with the velvety aroma and promise of energy from that caffeine jolt, you might rather just assume that there must be something to those beneficial claims…

I know all about this adoration of coffee.

I too was smitten and enamored with Coffea Arabica. We had our courtship during the 1990’s when I worked over 80 hours in the emergency room and saw 30 to 40 patients a day. I traded sleep for espresso, authentic energy for Haagen Daz coffee ice cream and normal circadian rhythms for high speed caffeinated adrenaline rushes.

But then, my body began to communicate to me what I had been attempting to not hear – slow down and let the natural systems assume their proper course. You can read more about how I successfully turned my health around The UltraSimple Diet or work with one of my nutrition coaches.

If you are tired, allow more time for sleep.

Take 1,000 mg buffered vitamin C with breakfast and dinner.

Make sure you exercise daily to help fight off fatigue. Even simple walking is good. 30 minutes daily.

Some people rely on substituting coffee for real food. When you are hungry make sure to eat and do not let your blood sugar get low. Have some protein in the afternoon such as a handful of nuts or seeds like almonds, pecans, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds, cooked beans, or a piece of steamed or baked fish.

If you’re irritable or have trouble sleeping, take a combination of calcium citrate 500 mg and magnesium citrate 250mg before bed.

Drink 1-3 cups of GREEN TEA. The small amount of caffeine won’t hurt and the antioxidants will heal.

Take a sauna or heat therapy in a bath. See my book, The Ultra Simple Diet for how to create an UltraBath.

Practice pressing the pause button. Withdrawal can be stressful and research has shown that meditation and other mindful activities can help calm an over-stimulated and stressed system while boosting the immune system.

Keep a journal and track your symptoms. Note the difference in quality of energy you experience while off of coffee.

Consider a complete elimination program and avoid all refined sugars, flours, caffeine, alcohol, dairy, gluten and any other addictive substance. By allowing certain triggers to stay in the diet the body stays on the vicious cycle of cravings and addictive behavior. Reset your biology by eliminating all these dietary triggers for inflammation and fatigue.

Take this quiz to find out how toxic you are.

I know this is a difficult goal but I assure you that your body and mind will thank you. The sense of calm, clarity and restful sleep will reward you with the simple pleasures of innate health and an energy that is rightfully yours.

Now I’d like to hear from you…

Are you addicted to coffee and need caffeine to get through your day?

What have you tried to break free from caffeine and what worked best for you?

Have you developed an appreciation for teas and if so, which are your favorite?

Please leave your thoughts by adding a comment below – but remember, we can’t offer personal medical advice online, so be sure to limit your comments to those about taking back our health!

Resources:

van Dam RM, Willett WC, Manson JE, Hu FB. 2006. “Coffee, caffeine, and risk of type 2 diabetes: a prospective cohort study in younger and middle-aged U.S. women.” Diabetes Care (2) 398-403

Tuomilehto J, Hu G, Bidel S, et al. 2004. “Coffee Consumption and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among Middle-aged Finnish Men and Women.” JAMA 291: 1213-9.

Moisey LL, Kacker S, Bickerton AC, Robinson LE, Graham TE. 2008. “Caffeinated coffee consumption impairs blood glucose homeostasis in response to high and low glycemic index meals in healthy men.” Am J Clin Nutr 87 (5): 1254-1261

Lane JD, Feinglos MN, Surwit, RS. 2008. “Caffeine Increases Ambulatory Glucose and Postprandial Responses in Coffee Drinkers With Type 2 Diabetes.” Diabetes Care. 31(2): 221-222

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