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Do you ever need a caffeine fix but don’t want to turn to coffee or a soda filled that leaves you with the jitters? I often find myself needing a mid-afternoon pick me up but it’s too late for me to grab a classic cup of joe. Luckily there are lots of other healthier drinks and foods that contain caffeine that you can turn to when you’re in need of some energy. Opting for one of these choices typically leaves out the sugar and chemicals that can come along with coffee or other energy drinks.

Green tea

I love green tea because you’ll notice an increase in your energy, but you won’t be lying awake not able to fall asleep. There are also a ton of different varieties and flavors of green tea such as ones with blueberry acai, ones that are chai tea flavored, or mango! There’s something for everyone. There’s about half the amount of caffeine in an 8 oz cup of tea than there is in the same amount of coffee. There’s also a million other health benefits to drinking green tea such as protects your heart, promotes bone health, and protects your vision.

Smoothies with nuts

Incorporating cashew or almond milk into a fruit smoothie can help raise your blood sugar when you’re hitting the 3 pm slump. Also, smoothies are a great way to keep you full and focused since they’re packed with fiber and protein.

Lemon water

As simple as this may sound, lemon water is a fresh and clean way to increase your energy. Lemon water is a great way to hydrate your system and also a way to flush out any existing toxins in your body. You can use lemon slices or lemon zest. Lemon is a natural energizer that can leave your body feeling revitalized and refreshed.

Dark chocolate

This sweet treat surprisingly contains a little bit of caffeine, and other stimulants called theobromine and tryptophan. A bar of dark chocolate which is about 1.55 ounces contains about 18 grams of caffeine. While this isn’t much, a square or two can give you a small jolt to feel more energized.

Matcha

Matcha has been all the rage lately and has been called the perfect energy drink. It contains high amounts of L-Theanine, which are also found in green tea. A bowl of matcha can keep you focused and energized for three to six hours. For reference, the caffeine from a cup of coffee typically wears off after about a half hour. The caffeine in matcha releases more slowly than other energy drinks so you don’t experience a crash. People also report that the energy felt from matcha is “happier” than energy you may feel from coffee which can leave some people feelings restless or anxious.

 

Written by GUADS staff member Emily with contributions from healthfitnessrevolution.com