Don’t freak out. This isn’t an article about me taking your coffee away.
In general, I’m a moderate.
I definitely don’t believe in one size fits all, and think that our bodies and their requirements are all very different.
It seems that there’s a study that comes out every other month to purport either the benefits or negatives associated with coffee intake, but I believe that it will ALWAYS be an individualized decision you need to make, as what’s good for the rest of the population may not work for you.
THIS IS A HUGE PART OF MY CURRENT MISSION.
I want you to be connected with your body. THIS body connection and awareness is how we’re able to find and maintain lasting wellness and health.
THIS IS WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS.
SLEEP & COFFEE
FOR ME, I’ve noticed that I’m quite sensitive to caffeine. If I have caffeine in the afternoon or evening, I STRUGGLE to fall asleep. Normally I can fall asleep in about 3 minutes, but if I’ve had caffeine (or chocolate…boooo) too late, it’s this weird feeling of my brain being wired.
You may be just like me, OR, you may be the kind of person who can have a large coffee right before bed without any issues. It’s important to know how your body handles the caffeine.
ANXIETY & COFFEE
On the same note, if I have too much caffeine (ie like one full cup honestly), it super revs up my anxiety. It’s really stimulating in my body, and it doesn’t feel good. I have realized that this is my reality. If I’m out and get coffee, I will get half-caff…it’s where I feel the most benefits without the negatives.
For me then, my coffee routine is one of specific timing and amount, and yours should be too.
Does coffee flare any anxiety in you?
APPETITE & COFFEE
I’ve also noticed that when I have coffee first thing in the morning, it’s a BIG appetite suppressant for me and I don’t eat breakfast. This also means that it nicely revs up my energy levels, BUT THEN, by lunch time, I’m often quite hangry and with a titch of anxiety…I definitely get a blood sugar dip and then it’s a struggle to make really good food choices because I’m starving and anxious hungry.
Have you noticed this for yourself? What does coffee do to your appetite?
ENERGY & COFFEE
I ALWAYS ask patients why they’re drinking coffee. A lot of people simply love the taste, but a lot of people are drinking coffee for the energy boost.
I honestly don’t want you drinking coffee because you NEED the energy boost. While caffeine can provide a great little nudge, I want it to be a nudge and NOT the only thing holding your day together.
If you need coffee to survive, we need to figure out WHY. I promise you, there are so many BETTER ways to boost and support energy levels, and we need to double check and ensure that there aren’t real physiologic reasons for why you’re feeling coffee desperate everyday (or let’s be honest, for some of you it’s multiple times per day).
OTHER COFFEE INGREDIENTS
I want to you know you put in your coffee too.
Are you adding dairy or another kind of “milk” that might be bothersome? Have you noticed that you’re always having to clear your throat after your coffee (ie you’re getting phlegmy from it)?
Do you get bloated or a rumbling and upset stomach after your coffee?
Or are you adding so much sugar that once the coffee wears off, you’re getting a sugar crash?!
THE OVERALL GOAL: LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
I’m on a mission to help people reconnect with their bodies to see how they’re actually feeling—to ACTUALLY LISTEN to what your body wants and needs.
It’s my trouble maker patients, (yes, this might be you!) who are DRIVEN and push through just about everything. They have goals, and they have a timeline and they might be missing the SIGNS THAT THINGS AREN’T FEELING WELL!
Quit pushing through and ignoring what it’s trying to tell you, or I PROMISE you, that your body will get louder and louder until you have a real health crisis. I’ve seen this multiple times in my practice.
MY OPINION OF COFFEE
Coffee can be great, as long as your body agrees.
1-2 cups MAX per day. If you need more that, figure out why and actually treat the root cause rather than bandaid it with more caffeine. If you love the flavor, find a decafe option that you like.
YOUR HOMEWORK
For the next couple weeks, I want you to investigate and question how coffee affects YOUR body and how it feels…both the good AND the bad parts of this pretty incredible little bean.
IF YOU’RE DESPERATE FOR YOUR COFFEE
Come and book in a visit with me. Let’s figure out if there’s something else going on that your body needs support around. I promise I won’t take your coffee away, but optimize everything so that it’s something you drink because you love it, not because you’re going to die without it.