Three wake-me-up alternatives to coffee
Like most overwhelmed, exhausted college students, I am hooked on coffee. I have come to love coffee’s unique aroma and crisp, bold flavor. Honestly speaking, at this point, coffee is basically the sole reason I pull myself out of bed for 8 a.m. classes. I start my days with a grande dark roast from Starbucks or — when I’m feeling frugal — a 16 oz travel mug filled to the brim with dining hall coffee.
The only downsides are caffeine headaches and jitters. Everyone, from my mom to the internet, warns me that coffee isn’t healthy. I’ve read countless articles about the harmful effects of too much caffeine. Well, there’s no way I can outright quit drinking coffee, but there are alternative beverages coffee-lovers should drink every once in awhile to slowly become less obsessed.
1. Matcha green tea latte
This drink is smooth, creamy and actually good for you. Matcha is made by blending the entire tea leaf into power, so it has 10 times more nutrients than regular green tea. You can order one from Starbucks or Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, or make your own using the simple recipe below.
Photo courtesy of Boku Superfood
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
- 1/4 cup boiling water
- Sugar/agave syrup
Recipe: Bring unsweetened almond milk to a simmer over medium-high heat. In a heatproof cup, whisk together matcha powder, boiling water and almond milk. Sweeten with sugar or agave syrup to taste.
2. Chai Tea Latte
Another coffee substitute is a chai tea latte. This drink does have some caffeine, but a person would have to drink 3 cups to match the caffeine level of coffee. Chai tea is rich in antioxidants and flavored with delicious spices. Again, you can order this latte from most coffee shops or brave the kitchen and make one yourself.
Photo courtesy of Stash Tea Company
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup boiling water
- 1 chai tea bag
- 1 ½ teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¾ cup milk
Recipe: Pour boiling water over a tea bag and let steep for 4-6 minutes. Stir in honey and sugar to dissolve. Next, stir in milk.
3. Smoothies
Not a tea person? You may want to try a nutrient-rich breakfast smoothie. Smoothies are extremely filling. Also, they help you reach the recommended amount of daily fruit.
Photo courtesy of Deliciously Sprinkled
Ingredients:
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups mixed fresh or frozen berries
Recipe: Put all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high for 2 minutes. Scrape sides and blend for 30 more seconds.