Ever thought that you drink too much coffee? How about trying these alternatives. We’re not encouraging you to stop drinking coffee altogether, let’s be honest, the smell of coffee brewing and the earthy, smooth taste in the morning is just too much to resist at times, but if you are looking to try a few alternatives for that extra kick in the morning, take a look at these:

• Lemon – A warm cup of lemon tea is so simple – warm water and half a lemon yet the benefits are just too good to ignore.

Firstly a lemon is high in vitamin c and potassium and stimulates the brain and nerve function ideal for the those early Monday morning starts in the office. When your body is dehydrated it struggles to operate effectively, lemon in this case helps prevent dehydration and adrenal fatigue by balancing the pH scales. As you know lemons are very acidic but once metabolised in the body they become alkaline and this is the key to good health.

• Chilli – Jamie Oliver quotes that he always starts his day with a bit of chilli and has a slight addiction.

“It’s got a chemical in it called capsaicin that is the nearest natural form of morphine – it stimulates serotonin and happiness. Instead of knocking back coffee, I have a little nibble on a little bit of chilli. A lot of cultures have a little bit of chilli in the morning, it just gets you going.”

• Green Tea – Comes from the same plant from which normal tea is obtained, the tea leaves are dried or slightly steamed but not fermented (like normal tea). 

Despite the fact that green tea has caffeine in, there is a lot less than coffee but the benefits are much more. There is a study that suggests that tea can help improve memory and cognition. Other benefits include speeding up your metabolic rate, lowering blood pressure as well as protecting against diabetes. The polyphenols here in this case which inhibit starch, lower sugar levels.

• Prune Juice – Otherwise known as dried plums.

A thicker and crispier fruit juice known as prune juice regulates the level of electrolytes in your body. The easy-to-digest carbohydrates, iron and antioxidant compounds, soluble fiber and potassium will lead to increased stamina as well as an improvement in digestion.

• Nut Smoothie – Next time you make yourself a fruit smoothie try adding some cashews, almonds or some other of your favourite nuts.

Nuts have it all, rich in energy, protein and packed with antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. With the added vitamin C from the fruit in the smoothie the nuts give you even more of a boost. Take a look at some of these delicious Fruit And Nut Smoothie Recipes on Yummly.com. Peanut butter and banana smoothie looks a clear winner.

Have you seen our Healthy Eating Crowd yet? Want to adopt a healthier diet or improve your energy levels? This Crowd is dedicated to educating others on how to adopt healthier eating habits whilst dining in restaurants that serve fresh, wholesome and healthy foods. Hope to see you there!