[Blue_Bird]

I'm trying to cut back on coffee for multiple reasons including anxiety, sleep problems,dental health etc

So I'm slowly tapering myself off

Most days I have 5-7 cups of coffee, all black unsweetened.

So for a week I'm going to have 3 cups a day and then I'll cut back further. Doing it slowly because I have a hard time stopping things cold turkey.

Today was day 1, I have had 3 cups today and am done with it for the day. Will post any symptoms I get from withdrawing from caffeine and post updates as I go along with this.

Thanks for reading, if anyone else is doing this too feel free to post your progress in here

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[Skeezyks]

Thanks for posting this. I'm not doing what you're doing now. But a few months back I did. I drank mostly black tea with the occasional cup of coffee. I also wanted to get off of the caffeine wagon due to anxiety. But, also, I have tinnitus; and I thought it might help that (it didn't.) The black tea I was drinking also stained my teeth badly. So that was a consideration too.

I also withdrew from caffeinated beverages gradually, not wanting to go through the caffeine headache phase. I do still drink a bit of black tea & coffee now-&-again. But, when I have them, they're of the decaffeinated variety. And at least so far, I'm trying to minimize the amount of those I drink as well. The only concern I have at this point is winter's approaching. And I don't know if I'll be able to give up on decaffeinated tea entirely because part of the reason I drink it is it helps warm me during the cold winter months. We'll see I guess. I've tried substituting herbal teas. But, while I don't mind a cup once in a while, I can't make a steady diet, so to speak, of them. I am presently drinking some chamomile tea and that's not too bad.

Good luck with your own efforts!

[Aviza]

Good luck. I'm just trying to reduce sugar right now, due to diabetes. I drink my coffee with all the fixings cream and sugar. Thinking about getting one today but make it sugar free. Keep up the good work change is hard but small steps make it easier.

[Blue_Bird]

Thanks everyone yesterday I had more than I intended to. I had like 5 cups. My anxiety was really bad so I definitely regretted it. Today I had 3 coffees so far and am trying to keep it at that and just drink water for the rest of today.

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[Blue_Bird]

Bought a new big water bottle today, hoping it helps motivate me to drink more water

[NatalieJastrow]

I reduced my caffeine intake and it was a good thing for me.

I used to have an instant cup in the morning and I would put like 2 or 3 spoons in.

And then during the day I would have soda that had caffeine.

I cut back to just one spoon of instant and cut out the soda with caffeine.

So much better. I go to sleep now at night. I no longer really notice restless legs.

I am working toward getting rid of my morning coffee as well.

[Truth22]

I still drink too much coffee. But I do drink decaf now which helps and I mostly use sugar free flavored creamer. I'm doing this for both mental and physical health.

[DebbieBennett]

I also want to give up coffee and finally start drinking more water.
I am motivated by the fact that I will have healthier skin and look good

[Blue_Bird]

Update, I'm still drinking too much coffee, still working on cutting back. Right now I'm around 3-4 cups a day

[Blue_Bird]

So I finally managed to cut myself down to no caffeinated coffee. I still have a cup of decaf now and then but that’s definitely a lot better than 6 cups of fully caffeinated coffee a day.

Next goal is to make my primary drink water, I drink like 2-3 cups of plain black unsweetened decaf a day. And I drink water. Those are my two primary drinks. I’d like to get to just drinking water most of the time, cut the decaf down to one a day or every other day.

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[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by Blue_Bird

So I finally managed to cut myself down to no caffeinated coffee. I still have a cup of decaf now and then but that’s definitely a lot better than 6 cups of fully caffeinated coffee a day.

Next goal is to make my primary drink water, I drink like 2-3 cups of plain black unsweetened decaf a day. And I drink water. Those are my two primary drinks. I’d like to get to just drinking water most of the time, cut the decaf down to one a day or every other day.

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If I drank that many cups, I'd be up all night and the next night! Ah, coffee--a subject I can get into. I drink just one cup in the morning, the regular not decaf. That defeats the point. I'm way more sensitive to caffeine now, meaning I can't drink anything with it after lunchtime. It will impact my sleep. I read tea has more caffeine than coffee! I also love tea.

When I was a teenager I used to be able to eat both sugar and caffeine (A piece of cake with a cup of coffee, for example!) as late as 9 or 10pm and have NO trouble sleeping! Doing that now would have me up for DAYS I bet.

I've been drinking coffee over 40 years and it's one of the few constants or pleasures in my life now. I already gave up a LOT of foods due to getting older and having to watch sugar/fat content. But coffee is off limits. SO is chocolate. Making my coffee in the morning is one of the few things I have control over. I decide what flavor I want, as I have Chocolate covered Strawberries, Eggnog Spice, Vanilla, Caramel Truffle as some examples.

I use Truvia instead of sugar for years now, it's sweeter actually! I also sometimes use a bit of whipped cream topped with nutmeg or just 1/4 tsp. of extracts such as vanilla, almond, or rum! Cinnamon sticks in coffee is delicious too. I swear it's a whole ritual in the morning, where I first pre-heat the mug so the coffee stays warm longer. And I cover it to retain the heat while drinking.

And it has to be either piping hot or ice cold, as iced coffee is delicious too.

Caffeine is addicting as I found out when I used to drink soda as a teen. I stopped many years ago because of the sugar, but I still drink coffee. And after trying to quit it, it gave me headaches and I decided it's not worth giving up. It is just one cup! I'm sure I'd find a way to make it even during an apocalypse, lol.

[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by DebbieBennett

I also want to give up coffee and finally start drinking more water.
I am motivated by the fact that I will have healthier skin and look good

I have started drinking more water, but my old skin isn't going to look good. But I'm more hydrated and I know our bodies are mostly water anyway.

[nonightowl]

Yeah Skeez, nothing like a hot cup of coffee on a chilly morning! On days like that, I'd heat it up a minute in the microwave to make it extra hot.

[SquarePegGuy]

Usually I keep increasing coffee intake, which stimulates appetite, eating and weight gain. Then when I get run down and sick. I go cold turkey. The caffeine withdrawal just becomes part of the sickness. I find Yerba Mate tea to be invigorating. Truvia gives me migraines, so I stick with powered pure stevia. I either take coffee black or with heavy cream.

[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by SquarePegGuy

Usually I keep increasing coffee intake, which stimulates appetite, eating and weight gain. Then when I get run down and sick. I go cold turkey. The caffeine withdrawal just becomes part of the sickness. I find Yerba Mate tea to be invigorating. Truvia gives me migraines, so I stick with powered pure stevia. I either take coffee black or with heavy cream.

I forgot to say I can't drink it black at all. During the rare times when I have to fast for a doctor's appointment, I can't even have coffee unless it's black. I can't even have cream in it. So I bring coffee with me and gulp it down as soon as they are done with whatever test.

I didn't know Truvia makes a powdered pure form but the kind I use works for me. Brown sugar or molasses gives coffee a unique sweetness....And I always use cream in my coffee to give it the richness.

Today at the store I noticed a limited edition of Blueberry Muffin flavored coffee which I grabbed! (Sorry, BlueBird, that's probably torture!

[SquarePegGuy]

Originally Posted by nonightowl

-snip-
I didn't know Truvia makes a powdered pure form -snip-

Stevia is a plant whose leaves are naturally sweet. I use a product that's made from stevia leaves that are dried and powdered. It has a texture and mouth feel similar to powdered cinnamon. It's not a Truvia product. Just wanted to clarify that.

[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by SquarePegGuy

Stevia is a plant whose leaves are naturally sweet. I use a product that's made from stevia leaves that are dried and powdered. It has a texture and mouth feel similar to powdered cinnamon. It's not a Truvia product. Just wanted to clarify that.

Okay, I didn't know that. Truvia does make special blends such as for baking. I never tried it; I use real sugar for that. Truvia is sweeter than sugar though and it took me some time to get used to the taste. MUCH better than those nasty artificial sweeteners like Sweet and Low or Equal. UGH!

I liked the way you wrote "snip" in the quote. I didn't think of that and will do that from now on.

[Tart Cherry Jam]

No, tea has less caffeine than coffee.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/welln...rition-health/

[Tart Cherry Jam]

I am trying the opposite, to increase my coffee consumption because of the benefits of coffee in diabetes and Parkinson's disease prevention (and possibly plain longevity, too).

I do not need coffee, meaning that if it does not give me an energy boost and I do not understand what people who say they depend on caffeine mean.

I grew up drinking tea and had not started drinking coffee until I I was 41 years old, 11 years ago. But then I instantly liked lattes and cappuccinos and several years later developed the love of macchiato. But I do not have a coffee machine at home, nor place in my kitchenette to house one, so I can drink those beverages only at work or in coffee shops. I cannot drink straight coffee as it is too bitter for me; I need some milk in it. Luckily, I do not need any sweetener. I also do not like flavored coffee.

At home, I learned to make pour-over coffee and drink it with milk when I have time for it in the morning. I do not like it as much as I love espresso drinks with milk, but it is good enough and I take my vit D3 and iron pills will it.

I currently drink about 2 cups a day and I am hoping to work it up to 3-4 to increase the preventative benefits.

I do not drink coffee after 3PM after one psychiatrist told me so when I was just beginning to drink coffee.

[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by Tart Cherry Jam

snip: I am trying the opposite, to increase my coffee consumption because of the benefits of coffee in diabetes and Parkinson's disease prevention (and possibly plain longevity, too).

I do not need coffee, meaning that if it does not give me an energy boost and I do not understand what people who say they depend on caffeine mean.

Luckily, I do not need any sweetener. I also do not like flavored coffee.

I do not drink coffee after 3PM after one psychiatrist told me so when I was just beginning to drink coffee.

I didn't know this about coffee, but I have heard it has some benefits. It does give me an energy boost which is why I drink a mug every morning. Really feel the effects if I don't have it, such as when I have to fast for a lab test.

I can't drink it black, ever. Too bitter---I have to have Truvia or sugar and either cream or milk. The latter isn't as rich. I love flavored coffees too. And there's nothing like the aroma of brewing coffee, especially on a chilly morning.


No way I can drink it after lunchtime or I'll be awake all night. When much younger, I could have coffee (or caffeine, like a soda) anytime of the day or night and it wouldn't keep me up. Same with sweets. I might have posted this, but as teenager I used to snack on frosted cake and coffee at 9pm and sleep like a log.

Doing that now would have me up for days.

[Tart Cherry Jam]

Look it up! A lot has been published about the benefits of coffee.

[unaluna]

If i fast for my drs appt, ie no coffee, my drs invariably ask me whats wrong with me, am i depressed, why am i not my usual bubbly self. Its because i am not awake!

[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by unaluna

If i fast for my drs appt, ie no coffee, my drs invariably ask me whats wrong with me, am i depressed, why am i not my usual bubbly self. Its because i am not awake!

Same here. I'm so out of it, and when I say "I haven't had my coffee yet, sorry" and people always smile or chuckle, they get it. Morning coffee seems to be a common ritual.

[Tart Cherry Jam]

Review Prog Cardiovasc Dis
. 2018 May-Jun;61(1):38-42. doi: 10.1016/j.pcad.2018.02.002. Epub 2018 Feb 21.
Coffee for Cardioprotection and Longevity

Abstract

Coffee, a complex brew containing hundreds of biologically active compounds, exerts potent effects on long-term human health. Recently, a plethora of studies have been published focusing on health outcomes associated with coffee intake. An inverse association between coffee consumption and all-cause mortality has been seen consistently in large prospective studies. Habitual coffee consumption is also associated with lower risks for cardiovascular (CV) death and a variety of adverse CV outcomes, including coronary heart disease (CHD), congestive heart failure (HF), and stroke; coffee's effects on arrhythmias and hypertension are neutral. Coffee consumption is associated with improvements in some CV risk factors, including type 2 diabetes (T2D), depression, and obesity. Chronic coffee consumption also appears to protect against some neurodegenerative diseases, and is associated with improved asthma control, and lower risks for liver disease and cancer. Habitual intake of 3 to 4 cups of coffee appears to be safe and is associated with the most robust beneficial effects. However, most of the studies regarding coffee's health effects are based on observational data, with very few randomized controlled trials. Furthermore, the possible benefits of coffee drinking must be weighed against potential risks, which are generally due to its high caffeine content, including anxiety, insomnia, headaches, tremulousness, and palpitations. Coffee may also increase risk of fracture in women, and when consumed in pregnancy coffee increases risk for low birth weight and preterm labor.

Coffee for Cardioprotection and Longevity - PubMed