Quitting Coffee

[BadKitty]

I’ve been trying to quit coffee lately (I have been a big time caffeine addict for a decade now). No luck so far. I tried to gradually decrease the number of cups I drink a day, switch to green tea, even Teechino (herbal coffee – it’s awesome). But then when I get pissed off or feel sad, or whatever – I go back to drinking coffee. WTF?


Any suggestions?

[embrassezla]

Instead of decreasing the amt of coffee you drink, could you just mix some decaf in with the regular, and increase the ratio decaf/regular until you are on decaf only?

[Winter Storm]

I had to quit caffeinated coffee back in 2003, I grew very dependent and would have massive withdrawal headaches if I didn't drink it at the exact same time 7 days a week.

My Dr. recommended I gradually ween myself off by slowing adding decaf into my coffee over days until I was finally only drinking decaf. It took about a week or so until I was off caff. and drinking only decaf with no withdrawals. I've been on decaf ever since.

Good luck!

[Winter Storm]

Damn embress! JINX!

[embrassezla]

Clearly, I should be a doctor :)

[weary]

Clearly, I should be a doctor :)
embrassezla: the voo doo medicine woman. :D

[BadKitty]

embrassezla: the voo doo medicine woman. :D


:p

It's just that it's become somewhat of a cructch - when I am being pissy at work or something, and I run to the cafeteria. But yeah. I did the mixing, maybe I need to do it over a longer period of time.

[cache]

When I cut down on caffeine(I'm a soda drinker), I cut out the ends first. Like I would have a soda in the monring, for lunch, dinner, and at night. First I cut out the morning and night, then dinner. So my body was OK waiting a little longer to get a soda, and OK not getting one in the evening. I was still getting my caffeine at the average time of consumption(lunch), so it was no big deal.

[shadeofgreen]

I used to do this thing where once every couple of months I'd go a week caffeine-free. Yeah, I don't do that anymore. I've thought about it, but then some morning I'll get up and say, "I just need a cup this morning," and then it spirals on down from there.

Does anyone else find that decaf just doesn't taste as good? It's likely psychological, but there's some quality about decaf coffee and caffeine free cola that is just unpleasant. Maybe it's not so much the taste, but it makes my throat burn a little.

I only have a cup a day. That's not so bad, right?

[BadKitty]

I used to do this thing where once every couple of months I'd go a week caffeine-free. Yeah, I don't do that anymore. I've thought about it, but then some morning I'll get up and say, "I just need a cup this morning," and then it spirals on down from there.

Does anyone else find that decaf just doesn't taste as good? It's likely psychological, but there's some quality about decaf coffee and caffeine free cola that is just unpleasant. Maybe it's not so much the taste, but it makes my throat burn a little.

I only have a cup a day. That's not so bad, right?

I dislike decaf coffee. No problem with decaf coke. One cup a day is OK. Although it still shocks your system and increases your cortisone levels (or something of that sort).

[Kitty]

If you're only drinking one cup of coffee a day, it really isn't that bad for you. I can't stand the taste of decaf coffee, so I just indulge in one cup of coffee a day and try to limit it to that. Coffee is just one of the pleasures in life that I really, really enjoy..and I'm not willing to give it up.

[BadKitty]

If you're only drinking one cup of coffee a day, it really isn't that bad for you. I can't stand the taste of decaf coffee, so I just indulge in one cup of coffee a day and try to limit it to that. Coffee is just one of the pleasures in life that I really, really enjoy..and I'm not willing to give it up.

I hear you. Since I drink (once, twice a week), though, I had to drop coffee. Yes, I realize that dropping alcohol is the prudent thing to do here.

[Kitty]

I hear you. Since I drink (once, twice a week), though, I had to drop coffee. Yes, I realize that dropping alcohol is the prudent thing to do here.

I went to a nutritionist who told me it was OK to drink a cup of coffee a day, but to limit it to that.

I think a glass of wine a couple of nights a week is also OK.

I dont' think you necessarily have to cut these things totally out of your life.

[dacrunkest]

I switched to tea. Non-caf Constant Comment Earl Gray or Lemon Lift. But I still drink the occasional cup of coffee or soda.

I have read reports that the jury is still out on caffeine...that it may not be bad for you...but I could be wrong.

[wordsmith]

I love coffee, and tea, and have no plans to cut either out. I drink them when I like and skip them when I'm not in the mood.

[beeblebrox]

I drink only green tea now. I had two sodas (diet coke and diet mountain dew)today and it gave me a headache.

[wordsmith]

I could never drink another soda in my life and be fine. I drink water, tea, coffee, and milk, for the most part.

[BadKitty]

I drink only green tea now. I had two sodas (diet coke and diet mountain dew)today and it gave me a headache.

green tea sans the caffeine is supposed to be REALLY good for you.

[wordsmith]

green tea sans the caffeine is supposed to be REALLY good for you.

Sadly, it tastes brewed with lawn clippings, to me, and looks like dishwater.

I really like rooibos, the so-called "red tea," that's not really a tea.

[BadKitty]

I went to a nutritionist who told me it was OK to drink a cup of coffee a day, but to limit it to that.

I think a glass of wine a couple of nights a week is also OK.

I dont' think you necessarily have to cut these things totally out of your life.


Oh, I agree. I am prone to having broken capillaries though (they get worse when using caffeine and alcohol) so I wanted to cut caffeine completely since I drink. I don't drink that much (just on weekends and in moderation) but just trying to eliminate one of the factors. Ah, vanity, my favorite sin.

That, and caffeine raises your cortisone levels and has other unpleasant effects (although I have read that in small doses it can be actually beneficial, or at very least not harmful like you said).

[beeblebrox]

green tea sans the caffeine is supposed to be REALLY good for you.

I've been drinking mine with caffeine (I may switch) and it still has a load of antioxidants. I've gotten to the point where it's just enough caffeine for me and I don't add any sugar, lemon, or milk to it.

[BadKitty]

I've been drinking mine with caffeine (I may switch) and it still has a load of antioxidants. I've gotten to the point where it's just enough caffeine for me and I don't add any sugar, lemon, or milk to it.

Yeah, I didn't express myself very well. you are right - even with caff. it;s really good for you (unless you are trying to totally cut caff). it's what they call "a beauty drink".

[beeblebrox]

Yeah, I didn't express myself very well. you are right - even with caff. it;s really good for you (unless you are trying to totally cut caff). it's what they call "a beauty drink".

what's a beauty drink??

[BadKitty]

what's a beauty drink??


:) something that you drink so that you can become beautiful :p


It's another buzz word for something that's really good for you and your skin, etc. (antioxidents and all that good stuff). Specifically, it's good for your metabolism, circulation, etc.

[Kitty]

I cannot get into tea. I am just not a tea person. I like coffee...I've always liked coffee. I used to try to get my grandma to let me drink it when I was 4 years old. She'd give me a cup, but I was supposedly only allowed to use it to dunk my peanut butter toast in.

[cheshrcarol]

I realized a couple weeks ago that I am oddly addicted to carbonation. I was at my grandparents' and they pretty much only drink water or milk. I tend to drink a lot of flavored seltzer and some soda. It's hard to get drinks on the run that don't have calories, aren't water and aren't diet pepsi/coke.

I like coffee a lot, but I'm usually too lazy to make it in the morning. Plus my coffee maker has some serious hard water strains and I keep forgetting to pick up vinegar to clean it. I like tea, but I rarely drink regular black tea hot. I prefer that kind of tea iced. In the winter I drink herbal tea fairly often in the evenings, my favorites are Lemon Zinger and Raspberry Zinger.

BTW, Green tea is great for you, but it naturally has a pretty good amount of caffeine. And I've read that the decaf kind doesn't help with weightloss like the regular kind, if that's what you're drinking it for.

[cheshrcarol]

I cannot get into tea. I am just not a tea person.
Have you tried tea different ways? For example, I prefer mine with one sugar (splenda really) and lemon or honey if available. I do not like milk in it at all. Although I love my coffee light and (super) sweet. If I tried to fix tea the same way I like my coffee I'd think it was disgusting.

[shadeofgreen]

Well, I only have a cup a day but I still have headaches if I go without for a day. That seems like a bad sign.

I also tend to buy coffee even though I have a perfectly good coffeemaker in my kitchen. That's really the issue with my coffee consumption, but it's an issue for another thread...

[SpaceMonkey]

I'll never give up coffee, but I'm trying to limit myself to 2 cups per day. I have sort of a reputation in the office for drinking coffee constantly, but really, I just take forever to finish a cup. 2 cups lasts me most of the day.

I drank waaaaaay more coffee in college, and got pretty addicted to the caffeine. The curse of putting cafes in university libraries.

[Winter Storm]

Well, I only have a cup a day but I still have headaches if I go without for a day. That seems like a bad sign....

Those are withdrawal headaches and the reason why I had to give them up. If I missed a cup and by missed, I mean didn't have it by 8am every morning, I'd get the worst vise-like grip on my head, I thought I'd die. Had to quit.

[dengeist]

I keep it to two cups a day. At this point it's pretty much automatic for me to clean out the coffee maker and make a cup every morning (and this has been commented on). But the thing is, I'm very peculiar about drinking it. I'm not a fan of Starbucks, Dunkin' is ok, most restuarants make crappy coffee. But the only place outside my apt, that I'll drink it is one of the local Portugese Cafes around here because that is one of the few places that makes coffee like I do.

I'm not an addict, I can stop any time....I'm not an addict, I can stop anytime....

[CTGirl]

I keep it to two cups a day. At this point it's pretty much automatic for me to clean out the coffee maker and make a cup every morning (and this has been commented on). But the thing is, I'm very peculiar about drinking it. I'm not a fan of Starbucks, Dunkin' is ok, most restuarants make crappy coffee. But the only place outside my apt, that I'll drink it is one of the local Portugese Cafes around here because that is one of the few places that makes coffee like I do.

I'm not an addict, I can stop any time....I'm not an addict, I can stop anytime....

Wow, 2 cups of coffee a day, plus all that Coke that you drink? You must be constantly wired! :p

[dengeist]

Wow, 2 cups of coffee a day, plus all that Coke that you drink? You must be constantly wired! :p

Babe, I'm constantly wired!!!!!

[wordsmith]

I've never noticed any appreciable wired-ness when I have versus don't have caffeine. I can drink a pot of coffee and take a three-hour nap. I know people who say they can't drink beverages with caffiene after a certain hour of the afternoon or evening or they'll be unable to sleep, but I don't personally identify. Nothing keeps me awake except for stress, occasionally.

[cache]

I've never noticed any appreciable wired-ness when I have versus don't have caffeine. I can drink a pot of coffee and take a three-hour nap. I know people who say they can't drink beverages with caffiene after a certain hour of the afternoon or evening or they'll be unable to sleep, but I don't personally identify. Nothing keeps me awake except for stress, occasionally.


That's crazy. I'm definitely in the caffeine OR sleep category. It is usually about 2 hours - If I have a soda at night, I can't get to sleep for about 2 hours.

[CTGirl]

I've never noticed any appreciable wired-ness when I have versus don't have caffeine. I can drink a pot of coffee and take a three-hour nap. I know people who say they can't drink beverages with caffiene after a certain hour of the afternoon or evening or they'll be unable to sleep, but I don't personally identify. Nothing keeps me awake except for stress, occasionally.

Wow, you must be "immune" to the effects of caffiene.

For me, I think it has a lot to do with whatever it is that's wrong with my sinuses, cuz if I dont have caffiene, or if I have too much (stupid Dunkin Donuts) then my sinuses will be in some serious pain.

[shadeofgreen]

Yeah, I had today off from work, so this morning after I went for a walk I made some coffee, drank about two cups, and then took a nap.

Coffee I make at home is probably less caffinated than my daily Dunkin Donuts, I guess.

[Winter Storm]

I've never noticed any appreciable wired-ness when I have versus don't have caffeine. I can drink a pot of coffee and take a three-hour nap. I know people who say they can't drink beverages with caffiene after a certain hour of the afternoon or evening or they'll be unable to sleep, but I don't personally identify. Nothing keeps me awake except for stress, occasionally.

Same here when I drank caffeinated coffee; never felt any surge of energy, wired or anything after drinking it and I used to drink a cup in the evening and went straight to bed.
I almost wish something would give me more energy as I feel tired and spent a lot of the time.

[BadKitty]

Same here when I drank caffeinated coffee; never felt any surge of energy, wired or anything after drinking it and I used to drink a cup in the evening and went straight to bed.
I almost wish something would give me more energy as I feel tired and spent a lot of the time.

Let me take this opportunity to pimp up Teechino (herbal coffee - no caffeine). I have been a long-time caffeine addict (trying to quit), but everytime I drink that herbal coffee, I feel really energetic and for a long period of time. If you google it, you'd find the site.