I love coffee, especially when I make it with healthy fats and collagen, but there are times that I choose not to consume coffee (like during my 30-Day Autoimmune Reset).
Why No Coffee?
I’m not anti-coffee at all and there are many health benefits attributed to coffee. However, at times I find it is better not to consume coffee and a small percentage of people won’t tolerate it at all.
I avoid coffee on the autoimmune reset because coffee is technically a seed, not a bean. As Sarah Ballantyne explains:
Coffee is made from a seed (not a legume, but the pit of the coffee fruit). Right away this should put us on the alert since seeds tend to contain protective compounds to prevent digestion and thereby ensure the survival of the plant species. In the case of wheat, those compounds cause increased intestinal permeability (i.e., leaky gut) and prime the immune system to exaggerate inflammation and potentially cause autoantibody formation, which is clearly detrimental to our health. In the case of the itty bitty seeds in blueberries, those compounds have such a low toxicity level as to have a negligible effect on our health (and the beneficial antioxidants and polyphenols in blueberries more than compensate!).
Most people do just fine with coffee, but I’ve found it is helpful to stop drinking it for a month or so once in a while just to make sure my body is doing ok with it and to mix things up a little.
Another possible concern with coffee is the caffeine content. Again, many people do just fine with this, but I found that my cortisol patterns were the opposite of what they were supposed to be (low in morning and high an night) and found that temporarily removing coffee and caffeine helped a lot.
Additionally, individuals with celiac disease should consider removing coffee because of the potential cross reactivity. From Mickey Trescott:
If you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance, you should definitely explore the possibility that coffee may be harmful to you. Coffee is one of the most common cross-reactive foods to gluten, meaning some people’s bodies may recognize them as the same or very similar.
In other words, coffee is great for some people, but others have trouble with it. The easiest way to know is to remove it for a month (or longer) and then gauge reaction when it is added back in.
An Alternative…
I still love drinking something warm and nourishing in the morning, so when coffee isn’t an option, I make an herbal tea substitute. It isn’t exactly the same, but it is an easy way to sneak in some collagen protein and healthy fats.
I’ve also consumed a mug of warm bone broth at times, though it doesn’t have quite the same appeal. For my Autoimmuni-Tea Herbal Coffee Substitute, I’ve found a variety of teas and herbs will work. My favorites are:
- Dandelion root tea – My favorite. It is said to be great for the liver and for digestion and I love the earthy taste.
- Rooibos tea – Another great option. Slightly sweeter than dandelion naturally and great flavor.
- Pu-ehr tea – A rich, earthy tea that is said to help cholesterol levels (not a problem for me) and other things. I’ve not ever taken this one while pregnant/nursing and would definitely check with a doc first if you are.
I also add:
- Grass fed butter: a great source of vitamin K2 which helps decalcify arteries and is important for proper blood clotting. There is also research that it can lower the risk of heart disease. (source) (NOTE: I don’t add this when I am on the autoimmune protocol until I’ve been on it for at least a month, though I do find that I tolerate butter well.) Ghee is another good choice.
- Coconut oil: (or MCT oil) a great source of lauric acid and medium chain fatty acids, which are an excellent easy fuel source for the body and brain.
- Collagen hydrolysate: an easily digestible form of gelatin that supports skin, hair, nails, and digestion and is a good source of protein.
Autoimmuni-Tea Coffee Substitute Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup brewed tea of choice
- 1 TBSP coconut oil or grass fed butter if tolerated
- 1-2 TBSP collagen hydrolysate
- ½ tsp vanilla bean or vanilla extract extract optional
Instructions
- Brew a strong tea with the tea bag of choice.
- Add other ingredients and blend for 15-20 seconds until emulsified.
- Enjoy.
Nutrition
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What do you drink in the morning? Coffee? Tea? Water? Share below!
kate,
did you notice that numi tea is stapled!
What do you mean “stapled”?
I make coffee with half regular and half decaf ~ my husband doesn’t know the difference and I can make myself a coconut oil latte ! 😉
Is dandy blend safe for this reset? I noticed it has roasted barley, I think.
I don’t consume barley on the reset and just use dandelion root tea instead.
According to the bag, all of the grains have been processed so that no gluten remains when it is done.
I love the boost of caffeine I get from coffee (one cup gets me through the day!), but I don’t like hot drinks. I’ve been trying to come up with a recipe for a cold (either over ice or blended) coffee or coffee alternative drink that still has health benefits. (I’ve never been able to figure out how to add Coconut Oil to a cold smoothie without getting the lumps from the temperature change. I do use the gelatin that dissolves in cold liquids.) I’d love to see a recipe for a cold coffee/coffee alternative drink if you’re looking for your next project!!
Try MCT oil instead of coconut oil and ghee instead of grass fed butter.
I’ve discovered ramon berry beverage. It tastes like coffee with a hint of chocolate. It has zero caffeine and is super healthy! I love in mexico and it’s grown locally. However I’ve seen it online as tea-cino. A delicious, non addicting alternative!
My husband has a sensitivity to caffine in general we use sometimes chickory for him.
What about using chicory as a substitute?
I love pu-ehr tea and it has an amazing earthy taste. If you do drink it I would most definitely recommend ones that have been aged longer, even though you’d probably have to find it from an actual Chinese tea store. They come in these huge pressed cakes, and though they can be expensive, a cake lasts me years. Also, since it is aged it’s always good to do one quick rinse on the tea leaves with hot water before steeping to remove any dust and such. It also has tons of caffeine—more than coffee I think, by the way it effects me.
How would I find out more about my cortisol patterns- I drink offer/tea w/kerrygold/coconut oil but by afternoon I have cravings for sweets that I feel like has to do with my caffiene intake- but I need the morning boost. Can dr test my cortisol ? Where can I find more info on it ? Thanks !!! Love your site.
Just a note… pu-ehr tea does contain some caffeine, although I believe it’s less than black tea and comparable to some green teas. I love the same brand that you mentioned and agree that it’s a good coffee substitute. I just limit it to a cup or two in the a.m. to prevent any sleep issues.