Coffee love and chai romance are enduring affairs, and no matter how hard one tries, it is very difficult to kick off the habit of having a steaming cup of these caffeine-filled drinks at least twice a day. But when you crave for coffee and tea at all odd hours, and drink cup after cup to realise one day that caffeine cravings have become all too real, it becomes essential to kick off this habit.
Excessive amounts of caffeine can have drastic effects on the body, can induce anxiety and make you overly dependent on one substance to perform basic functions. There are some foods which can help to beat caffeine addiction by providing the body with essential nutrients and minerals that give energy and nourishment, enough to last for an entire day. Read on below for some foods which can be used to kick a good-old caffeine addiction:
Almonds
Chew on a few almonds rich in monosaturated fats that will give the body its required dose of energy to sustain on a busy day. While a morning cup of coffee is fine to kickstart the morning, do away with the mid-morning cuppa by having almonds. The dried fruit has a slightly dense flavour which will induce a feeling of satiety and reduce craving.
Bananas
A true superfood, having a banana at any time of the day is the best way to give the body its required dose of energy. Bananas are also rich in electrolytes like phosphorous that help to maintain the pH levels of the body which can become imbalanced due to excessive caffeine that increases acidic tendencies.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are good for boosting energy levels and smoothening digestive processes. They can be added to yoghurt, smoothies, muesli and numerous other snacks that are perfect for mid-morning hunger pangs. Instead of opting for a cup of coffee to curb hunger, go for chia seeds filled with fibre.
Water
Hydration is one of the best ways to beat a caffeine craving. In fact, nutritionists also recommend having a glass or two of water before drinking any caffeinated beverage since they tend to dehydrate the body. Drink lots of water throughout the day and stick to your two cups of joe or chai to gradually curb caffeine cravings.
Citrus Fruits
Fruits rich in vitamin C help to detox the body and enable a balanced restoration of bodily systems that may have been affected due to an overindulgence in caffeine. Citrus foods are also good sources of energy and can help to maintain electrolyte levels to ward off withdrawal-induced headaches that occur while you are cutting down your coffee cups.
Green Tea
Sometimes, coffee or tea addiction can be curbed simply by performing the act of drinking a warm soother. Green tea is a good substitute in such cases. Rich in catechins, it is a natural antioxidant that boosts skin health, digestive processes and aids in healthy fat loss. Additionally, green tea can energise the body without the risk of developing coffee jitters.
Fibre-Rich Foods
Eat a lot of fibre rich foods like vegetables, oats, ragi among others to refuel the body in the afternoon. Sometimes, the coffee had before chai time can simply be the result of feeling drowsy after a heavy lunch. Have complex carbohydrates like bhakri at lunch that have a low glycaemic index but are a good source of energy to ward off the post-lunch drowsiness that is countered at other times with coffee.
Breakfast Smoothies
Smoothies can be whipped using milk, cream, yoghurt for a blend of healthy foods that fill up the body and pump it with energy. Replace the morning cup of coffee or tea with a big glass of thick, dense smoothies that will give you the pick-me-up required for starting the day. Smoothies will also induce satiety, reducing mid-morning hunger pangs.