As fatigue creeps up on us in the middle of the day, our hands reach for that cup of tea or coffee. And in this cold weather, you might reach for that cup multiple times a day. After all, it keeps us warm and awake, but keeping yourself healthy is more important. So, make these alternatives to coffee and tea your best friends if you want to stay awake and active without the caffeine jitters.

Related: Are You Really A Coffeeholic If You Don’t Know Where These Famous Coffees Originated?

1. Chicory root powder

Chicory root powder is the best non-caffeine alternative you’ll find. Even though it doesn’t contain caffeine, it tastes almost exactly like that. Chicory coffee is made by roasting, grinding, and brewing the roots of the chicory plant. Besides being an alternative to regular coffee, chicory contains many vitamins and minerals that keep you healthy. So, keep that yawning away without sacrificing your health.

2. Apple cider vinegar

We are no strangers to apple cider vinegar. Apart from being a staple in weight loss diets, it also works as a great alternative to caffeine as it boosts energy levels. ACV is quite versatile and has numerous health benefits, from controlling blood sugar levels to treating dandruff. But it’s wise to consume it in small doses, not more than 1-2 tbsp diluted in a large glass of water. You can also add half a tbsp of honey to improve the taste. However, if you are on some medications, it’s best to consult a doctor before consuming ACV.

3. Matcha coffee

If you’re reaching for a second cup of coffee within a couple of hours, it’s time to switch to matcha coffee. Yes, matcha isn’t exactly caffeine-free but the caffeine quantity is much lower than regular coffee. Also, matcha releases caffeine at a slower rate, keeping you awake and energetic for a longer time than coffee or tea can. Plus, if you someday decide to give up on matcha, it doesn’t punish you with withdrawal symptoms like coffee or tea.

4. Hot chocolate

Honestly, no drink can give you those winter vibes the way hot chocolate does. Even though hot chocolate does contain caffeine, it is much less than tea or coffee. The exact amount of caffeine in a hot chocolate cup depends on how you make it but hot chocolate made with cocoa mix is usually less caffeinated. Make it on your own because most hot chocolates you get at coffee shops are higher in caffeine than they need to be.

5. Water and salt

If your corporate job sucks the life out of you, salted water is what you need. When we are under stress to meet our tight deadlines and running low on energy, our salt levels get depleted. Salted water restores them and boosts our energy. So, add a big pinch of salt to your water and get your energy levels back on track.

6. Ginseng coffee

As the name might suggest, ginseng isn’t a real coffee. It does contain a very low amount of caffeine at times, but in its most natural form, it is caffeine-free. So, if you want to absolutely avoid caffeine, you can go for the caffeine-free variants in the market. However, even with the caffeine content, it doesn’t give you any jitters like coffee does nor does it cause insomnia.

7. Green tea

Here comes the OG. Green tea is one of the most widely consumed drinks in the world. And if you think it works well only in weight loss, you’re wrong. It works as the best alternative to coffee when it comes to boosting your energy levels. Even though it does contain caffeine, the content is much lower than regular tea and coffee and works as a gentle energy booster.

Every time you feel the urge to have coffee, make yourself one of these alternatives for coffee to stay awake.

Featured Image Source

Related: Want To Get Rid Of Body Toxins? 7 Detox Recipes For A Healthy Gut