I can’t drink coffee because it makes me sick
I love the smell of coffee, especially the strong and bold aroma in the morning. The first cup I had to start my day was complete with delicious heavy whipping cream and honey. I reveled in the nutty, earthy, and sweet taste. When I drank it, I felt warm from head to toe and comfortable, especially on a cold winter day.
Coffee boosted my mood and gave me the energy I needed to take care of my clients. I couldn’t get enough of it. I had it with my breakfast, paired with eggs, paleo bread toast, salmon, and fruits. I even enjoyed it while eating warm and soft chocolate chip cookies.
Getting sick from coffee
One day, I started feeling sick and experiencing a burning sensation, fever, headaches, sensitive stomach, and bloating after drinking coffee. I couldn’t finish my work because I was weak and fatigued.
Curious about if these symptoms were from drinking coffee. I treated myself by taking Tylenol, drinking a smoothie with turmeric, making ginger tea, drinking water, and eating less inflammatory foods. I also switched to drinking ginger Kombucha to help my immune system rid me of these symptoms.
Why does coffee have this effect on me and so many others?
Besides having a high acidity level, coffee contains caffeine—a known stimulant that can put your body into overdrive. So, if your body is sensitive, or if you drink it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, it can make you feel nauseated. Using milk or other dairy creamers and sweeteners can also affect your gut’s health, especially if you’re lactose-intolerant.
Trying an elimination diet
After about a week, I started feeling better. I was in denial that coffee made me sick because I was also feeling ill from eating bread, pizza, and drinking milk. Once I cut out these foods from my diet, I felt better. After some research, I learned that food with gluten causes problems to your digestive system that manifest in your entire body.
I tried drinking another cup of coffee about two weeks after my first encounter with those symptoms. And it occurred again. Sadly, I knew I would be ending my relationship with one of my favorite beverages.
I continued to discipline myself and quit drinking coffee for a month. But, the sweet aroma led me to a coffee shop one day, where I ended up being tempted into drinking a cup. Those same symptoms occurred again. I decided that day I would drink herbal tea and find another alternative to coffee because feeling ill wasn’t worth it.
Alternatives to coffee
So, I searched for alternate drinks besides hot chocolate and tea. To my surprise, there aren’t many coffee shops in my area that serve other options. I was traveling to Colorado and discovered some coffee shops offer lattes without caffeine, such as turmeric and golden milk lattes. I was excited and wished they had this in every state because I travel often. It tasted delicious when I substituted the milk for almond milk.
One day while scrolling through my Instagram feed, I discovered a company called Sip Herbals—the first Black women-owned business for a coffee substitute.
About Sip Herbals
Their coffee is made of all-natural ingredients. Its main ingredients are organic chicory, dandelion, and carob base. It is also autoimmune-protocol (a diet eliminating inflammatory food and beverages) friendly. I was excited to discover this product because now I can drink a healthy coffee substitution and not feel miserable. My favorite is the original flavor; however, they offer a variety of flavors, including vanilla, mocha, and salted caramel. Try their sample pack by ordering it online at their website. Click here to order.
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The main ingredients have great health benefits. Chicory is a perennial plant that has prebiotic agents that help to improve your digestive system. Dandelion is a plant of the genus Taraxacum and a member of the Asteraceae family that has anti-inflammatory agents that can help reduce chronic pain, boost your digestive systems, and supports your liver. Carob is a flowering evergreen tree with antioxidants to help your digestive system regulate better and reduce oxidative stress, cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and blood pressure. So it won’t give you that drowsy feeling as coffee does.
I’m thankful for ending the relentless search for a quality coffee substitute. It, indeed, was a painful and unsuccessful search for a while. It was like I lost out on the warmth and delicious tasty goodness.
Please comment below because I would love to hear your story and what you drink instead of coffee.