No more caffeine!

What’s one thing I can do to be healthier?

Quit caffeine! Did we just suggest that you give up your soda or coffee? Well, unfortunately, caffeine contributes to lowered blood sugar levels, which also causes cravings for refined sugars and causes fatigue. There are many other problems with caffeine. For example, the Department of Health lists caffeine along with nicotine and heroin as an addictive substance. In a book by Stephen Cherniske called Caffeine Blues: Wake Up to the Hidden Dangers of America's #1 Drug, he links drinking sodas to malnutrition, depression, fatigues, decreased learning skills, childhood obesity, and osteoporosis!

How can you get off it? Well, weaning is the best, so if you currently drink 5 cups of coffee or 5 sodas per day, then we recommend that you only have 4 per day for a week or two. Next, decrease to 3 per day for a week or two and so forth. You get the idea?! Some people can go “cold turkey” but most of us who have tried to do that and are not the “cold turkey” type are back to drinking our 5 cups of coffee on the 3^rd day. Instead of drinking the coffee or soda, we recommend no-caffeine herbal green tea or freshly prepared juices that aren't loaded with sugar. You also have to watch out that you're not getting caffeine through foods like cookie with chocolate or chips, coffee flavored snack foods, cake pudding, brownies and fudge, just to name a few!

If you'll take the time to wean yourself off these items that contain caffeine, you'll likely find yourself having an easier time sleeping at night, a decrease in fatigue and generally better overall health!