Can’t make it through the morning without your daily java? Yeah, we feel you. But while coffee might offer that instant energy hit, it’s not always the best option.
Instead, why not try these healthy alternatives? Invigorating, tasty, and super simple to make, they’re guaranteed to set you up for the day and give you a healthy nutrient boost.
1. Matcha Green Tea
Not a morning person? Then try reaching for some matcha green tea. Containing less caffeine than coffee, this pure green tea offers an energy hit without those coffee jitters. The comforting drink is also packed full of health benefits. Matcha contains a number of vitamins and minerals, but it’s most prized for its impressive offering of catechins – polyphenol compounds that are a type of antioxidant. And because matcha green tea is made from ground up tea leaves, it offers an even bigger hit than your standard green tea. One study even found that matcha boasts three times more catechins than other green teas. That means it could have an even greater potential help fight viruses, heart disease and even cancer.
So start your day with an invigorating cup of matcha. Or if you’re longing for the creaminess of a frothy coffee, try adding steamed coconut milk for your own homemade vegan matcha latte.
2. Green Juice
Dubbed the ‘new coffee’ in the health world, green juice has become the go-to morning drink for those in the know. Packed with nutrient-rich ingredients like kale, spirulina, chlorella, spinach and citrus, these fresh juices are the perfect way to get a morning nutrient hit.
But does green juice actually help wake you up? Apparently so. According to Dr. Mercola, when your body has an abundance of the nutrients it needs, and your pH is optimally balanced, you feel energized. As these nutrients can be used by your body immediately, those who juice report feeling an instant "kick" of energy. Plus, thanks to a healthy dose of phytochemicals, antioxidants and chlorophyll, each glass comes packed with long term health benefits. So dust off that juicer!
3. Golden Milk
Sometimes it’s not the caffeine kick we look for in a morning cup of coffee, but the warmth and comfort of our favorite hot drink. If that’s the case, why not give golden milk a shot? Rich in turmeric curcumin, coconut milk and ginger, this warming drink is both delicious and nutritious. Not only does the turmeric give the tea a beautiful golden hue, but it also provides the anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antioxidant benefits of curcumin. Sprinkle with a final pinch of cinnamon for the perfect morning pick-me-up.
Golden Milk Turmeric Tea
Serves Two
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 1/2 teaspoon organic turmeric powder
- 1/2 piece ginger, unpeeled, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon manuka honey
- 1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- Ground cinnamon (for serving)
Method
Put coconut milk, turmeric, ginger, honey, coconut oil, peppercorns, and 1 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into mugs and top with a dash of cinnamon.
