Here at SWW® most of us are pretty big coffee fans. However, in order to fully enjoy this ritual, there are some boundaries we need to take in our love affair with coffee.
First off, the caffeine in coffee can trigger a stress response by stimulating the release of cortisol, especially in those who are more caffeine sensitive. This release in cortisol causes a blood sugar spike, leaving one feeling anxious and agitated, soon followed by a blood sugar crash, leading to fatigue and the need for another cup of coffee.
So, what can we do to still enjoy our beloved cup of coffee, without enduring the negative side effects?
- Avoid drinking your coffee black. The lack of any protein or added fat will lead to a very quick stress response.
- Avoid drinking black coffee on an empty stomach. As above, black coffee with no food will further put your body into a stressed state.
- Add some form of a fat to your coffee - i.e., organic half and half, coconut cream, cashew milk. The fat will help slow down the effect of caffeine on your stress response.
- Add MCT oil to your coffee. Not only will you get the benefits of the fat, MCT oil quickly breaks down into ketones and further enhances the fat-burning benefits of your overnight fast.
- Wait and consume coffee with your first meal of the day. Having caffeine with food will prevent it from causing as much of a cortisol response, keeping your blood sugar balanced.
- Add a protein. Add a scoop of unflavored collagen to your coffee. It will quickly dissolve and not impact the flavor of your coffee. Yet, the protein, similar to fat, will prevent as much of a cortisol spike.
Coffee is something so many of us look forward to at the start of our day. Caffeine gives us a good serotonin, mood-lifting boost, but can also have a downside of making us feel anxious or scattered. Following some of the above tips will not only allow you to still enjoy your favorite morning routine, it will help reduce the negative impact of caffeine.
