Healthy Alternatives to Coffee and Energy Drinks

In the life of a busy college student, the doctor recommended eight hours of sleep per night seems like a distant dream. Going from classes to club meetings, the day seems to go by fast and energy is constantly weaning. Eating a nutritious meal is the least of your worries when papers and project deadlines loom ahead. The most convenient solution for a quick pick-me-up? Coffee and energy drinks.

 
UMD sophomore business major Paige Santillo admits that she relies on caffeine to survive her hectic days. “I usually will have a cup of coffee in the morning,” Santillo said. “If it is a busy day, maybe two [cups], sometimes with soda at night.” Like a number of students, she sometimes skips breakfast due to lack of time.
 
Despite the positive effects of caffeine like alertness and increased concentration, there can be downsides. According to Javsinder Chawla, M.D., Chief of Neurology at Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital in Illinois, “[High] doses of caffeine induce negative effects such as anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and tachycardia.” 

 
Although that Redbull in the fridge may look enticing, it is not the best energy boost for your body. There is not much nutritional value to caffeine. Because caffeine is a stimulant, it has no vitamins and minerals, which give your body natural energy. So what is the tired collegiette to do for a healthy source of energy?
 
Here are some alternatives for keeping your energy level up during the day:
 
Breakfast When you have a busy day ahead of you, it is tempting to skip breakfast. Do not do this! Even a light meal in the morning can increase your energy for the rest of the day. In a Redbook magazine article discussing ways to defeat tiredness, it states that researchers from Cardiff University found that eating a bowl of cereal every morning was related to lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.

 
American GinsengIf you crave a warm drink in the morning to substitute your coffee, try American ginseng tea. Along with providing energy, this plant enhances the heart and immune system. According to the UMD Medical Center, American ginseng is an “adaptogen,” which means that it aids the body in fighting internal stress.
 
Carob PowderIf you are a chocolate lover, a warm cup of milk mixed with carob in the morning makes a great coffee alternative. The pulp of the carob plant is made into a powder that is often used as a chocolate substitute. However, it possesses three times more calcium than chocolate and is caffeine free.
 
Fiber Filled Foods Roberta Anding, R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, affirms in Redbook that fiber intake is important for your body. “Fiber has a time-releasing effect on carbs,” Anding said. “They enter your bloodstream at a slow and steady pace, giving your energy staying power.” Apples, almonds, raspberries, oranges, raisins, and bananas are high in fiber and make easy snacks.
 
Omega-3s These fatty acids are great for your brain cells, and will increase your mental vigilance. When grabbing lunch, try ordering a tuna or tofu dish. Other foods rich in omega-3s are walnuts, canola oil and salmon.
 
ExerciseFitness is the caffeine alternative that is calorie free. Although it may seem like a huge effort to go to the gym, a short fifteen to twenty-minute workout can revitalize the body and mind and change your mood. Sophomore economics major Suzanne Perucci prefers exercise to caffeine. “I don’t use caffeine because it makes me jittery,” Perucci said. “When I’m tired, I go to the gym.”
 
The next time you decide to order that latte from the coffee shop, or imbibe your Monster energy drink, you may want to consider trying some healthy alternatives first. Your body will thank you later!