Alternatives to Caffeine?

Ragemage

Ragemage

Wept for Zion
Hello all. So recently my health has started to deteriorate. I've started to get overweight, and it's because I eat a lot of fast food and drink a lot of soda. Did you know in Europe soda is considered a full meal over there because of all the sugar and carbs in it? Anyway, I decided I had to do something about it.

So while attending a little church congregation, I heard the priest talking about Lent. Growing up Methodist, I knew what Lent was, but we had never participated in it. Essentially during Lent you go 40 days without a want. You get to pick what that want is. For some it's fast food, for some it's driving and using a bike instead, etc. So for once I decided to give Lent a try. For my 40 days I've given up soda.

Unfortunately this had led to some withdrawal symptoms. I had no idea soda was so addicting, but I'm constantly wanting it and it's made me very irritable. On top of that, I can't stand coffee due to its bitter aftertaste no matter how much cream or flavor I pour into it, so soda was essentially my "wake-up" drink. Without it I've been finding myself very sleepy in the mornings, and I already suffer from sleep apnea as it is. At the same time though, I want to keep my pledge for Lent and stay away from soda. Realizing how addicted I was to that crap has made me understand how awful soda is for the body, at least as much as I was drinking.

So I guess my question is, are there any sort of alternatives for caffeine besides soda and coffee? I would take those 5-hour energy things or energy drinks like Red Bull but I've heard those are just as bad as soda. If you guys know of anything, I'd really like to know. I don't drink or smoke, but soda was just as bad when it comes to trying to stop and I want to quit it for good, but I need something to keep me awake in the mornings.
 
Can't you buy powdered caffeine and throw that in your OJ? Just be careful with the dose. Oh, there's also caffeine pills, so you won't have to worry about dosage anyway.

Other than that, it might also be a sugar craving, right? How much caffeine does soda contain anyway?
 
Try tea, green or black. Be careful that you prepare it correctly (especially green tea as it is prone to become very bitter and disgusting if you do it wrong).
For black tea you use boiling water and let it steep for two minutes (or longer). Use milk if you also dislike the taste of it, but don't put sugar in it (unless you do it the Friesian way).
Personally, I recommend Earl Grey, brewed with boiling water steeped not longer than two minutes.
For green tea (much recommended as it is supposed to boost your metabolism and has a lot of antioxidants) you should use water at about 70°C and let it steep for up to five minutes.
Energy drinks are just soda, much of their "energy boost" comes from the massive amount of sugar in them. Don't drink that crap.
Other than that you could try doing sports in the morning. Do burpees or push-ups and squats and all that jazz right after getting up. It will get your circulation started and wake you right up.
 
Well, coffee is a bit of an acquired taste. It's a little rough at first, but you come around to it. If that's really not an option, there are plenty of teas with caffeine that you can try. I like a nice cup of Earl Gray myself.

Barring that, buy caffeine pills.
 
Hassknecht said:
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Hee, where I live in the Deep South, the only tea I've ever drunk was sweet tea with lemon wedges. Earl Grey huh? I think my girlfriend likes that kinda stuff, I'll have to ask her about it. She's definitely a fan of green tea but that stuff just tastes like liquid snap peas to me, I'm not a fan. I'll try giving black tea a shot though, thanks. Exercise in the morning? I'll give that a shot too. Thank you for the advice.

dopezilla said:
Can't you buy powdered caffeine and throw that in your OJ? Just be careful with the dose. Oh, there's also caffeine pills, so you won't have to worry about dosage anyway.

Other than that, it might also be a sugar craving, right? How much caffeine does soda contain anyway?
Click to expand...

It probably is a sugar craving on top of craving the caffeine, most definitely. Soda has a lot of caffeine but I couldn't tell you the exact amount. Probably about as much as those Monster energy drinks, and those'll kill you quick if you don't drink in moderation.

valcik said:
Get some guarana pills in local drugstore.
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No idea what that is, but I'll look into it. Thanks.
Chromevod said:
Well, coffee is a bit of an acquired taste. It's a little rough at first, but you come around to it. If that's really not an option, there are plenty of teas with caffeine that you can try. I like a nice cup of Earl Gray myself.

Barring that, buy caffeine pills.
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Like I said to the guy above, the only tea I've ever had is sweet tea. I know Earl Gray has multiple flavors, any you could recommend for a first-timer such as myself?
 
Earl Grey does not come in multiple flavours. It's a black tea blend infused with bergamot oil.
It's really nice, it adds a citrus note to the black tea.
If you drink Earl Grey, though, DO NOT PUT MILK IN IT. It's gross. No sugar, either.

/edit: More Picard on Tea, Earl Grey, Hot:

Remember, when someone asks what you want in your Earl Grey: "Nu'ing!"
 
Hassknecht said:
Earl Grey does not come in multiple flavours. It's a black tea blend infused with bergamot oil.
It's really nice, it adds a citrus note to the black tea.
If you drink Earl Grey, though, DO NOT PUT MILK IN IT. It's gross. No sugar, either.
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So just drink it as it comes then? Thanks for the warning, I probably would've put milk and sugar in it, haha. I guess next time I go to the store I'll look for some.
 
Ragemage said:
So just drink it as it comes then? Thanks for the warning, I probably would've put milk and sugar in it, haha. I guess next time I go to the store I'll look for some.
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Earl Grey has a citrus flavour, it won't work with milk. Plain black tea is fine with milk, though, especially if you let it steep longer.
Anyway, no sugar in any tea, unless you're in East Frisia.

/edit:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f07b/
I want this just for the box. Well, technically, I already bought two of these once (one for me, one for a friend as a gift), but the shipping was botched up and it never arrived. Should order another one... But I hate ordering oversea stuff.
 
I second the motion for tea and only add that the lower dosage is probably better than for coffee for weaning yourself off it and avoiding those caffeinated headaches. I don't know what you're like, but coffee is way harsher from the caffeine angle.
 
As others have said Tea is a good alternative. I don't drink tea, only drink Dr. Pepper cuz that's the shit. During a weekend I will clear a 12 pack if not more but I can go a while without drinking any at all. I mainly substitute it for lots and lots of water, make sure to purge my system. I really wouldn't advise 5-hour energy or energy drinks because those are way worse for you than a single soda. I have a rule that I won't drink any soda till at least 12, that way I know I am awake plus it tastes like ass when you first wake up.
 
Ragemage said:
Did you know in Europe soda is considered a full meal over there because of all the sugar and carbs in it?
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No, and i am living in Europe :)).

Ragemage said:
So while attending a little church congregation, I heard the priest talking about Lent. Growing up Methodist, I knew what Lent was, but we had never participated in it. Essentially during Lent you go 40 days without a want. You get to pick what that want is. For some it's fast food, for some it's driving and using a bike instead, etc. So for once I decided to give Lent a try. For my 40 days I've given up soda.

Unfortunately this had led to some withdrawal symptoms. I had no idea soda was so addicting, but I'm constantly wanting it and it's made me very irritable. On top of that, I can't stand coffee due to its bitter aftertaste no matter how much cream or flavor I pour into it, so soda was essentially my "wake-up" drink. Without it I've been finding myself very sleepy in the mornings, and I already suffer from sleep apnea as it is. At the same time though, I want to keep my pledge for Lent and stay away from soda. Realizing how addicted I was to that crap has made me understand how awful soda is for the body, at least as much as I was drinking.

So I guess my question is, are there any sort of alternatives for caffeine besides soda and coffee? I would take those 5-hour energy things or energy drinks like Red Bull but I've heard those are just as bad as soda. If you guys know of anything, I'd really like to know. I don't drink or smoke, but soda was just as bad when it comes to trying to stop and I want to quit it for good, but I need something to keep me awake in the mornings.
Click to expand...

Shouldn't you try to treat your sleep apnea first? Getting rid of all unnatural sugars (eat real fruit instead) and flower based crap like bread and cookies would be a much more effective first step in treating your sleep disorders and the way you feel when you wake up. Exercising, or taking long walks, bike rides would also help. It's not exactly easy, but it shouldn't be, as you probably spent your whole life getting your body used to unhealthy foods, so reverting that might take some time. It's what i'm trying to do also. I failed a few times but i try again and again, prolonging my healthy diet every time.
 
AskWazzup said:
No, and i am living in Europe :)).



Shouldn't you try to treat your sleep apnea first? Getting rid of all unnatural sugars (eat real fruit instead) and flower based crap like bread and cookies would be a much more effective first step in treating your sleep disorders and the way you feel when you wake up. Exercising, or taking long walks, bike rides would also help. It's not exactly easy, but it shouldn't be, as you probably spent your whole life getting your body used to unhealthy foods, so reverting that might take some time. It's what i'm trying to do also. I failed a few times but i try again and again, prolonging my healthy diet every time.
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I already take long walks, but you're right, I probably should try to work on getting rid of unnatural sugars from my diet as well. Perhaps next Lent I can give up junk food, or maybe once this Lent is over and I've managed to get over my soda addiction I can tackle my fast food addiction.
 
AskWazzup said:
No, and i am living in Europe :)).
Click to expand...

The sodas in the States contain quite a bit more sugar then the ones in Europe. Had a friend go there and get fat.

Shouldn't you try to treat your sleep apnea first? Getting rid of all unnatural sugars (eat real fruit instead) and flower based crap like bread and cookies would be a much more effective first step in treating your sleep disorders and the way you feel when you wake up. Exercising, or taking long walks, bike rides would also help. It's not exactly easy, but it shouldn't be, as you probably spent your whole life getting your body used to unhealthy foods, so reverting that might take some time. It's what i'm trying to do also. I failed a few times but i try again and again, prolonging my healthy diet every time.
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Depends on what type of bread you eat. Also, what do you replace the bread with? Fruit juices also contain a lot of sugar, fructose.

I drink coffee. Probably should cut down on it.
 
MutantScalper said:
Depends on what type of bread you eat. Also, what do you replace the bread with?.
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I replace bread with buckwheat, rice, potatoes and beans.

MutantScalper said:
Fruit juices also contain a lot of sugar, fructose
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Yeah, that's why it's better just to eat raw fruit. I once thought that juice is great for you and then i tried to read up on how much sugar it actually contains - even the one you make yourself. Since then i'm not a very big juicer.
 
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