Not everyone likes coffee, which seems to be the main source of caffeine for most Americans (or pretty much anyone who needs a little more energy). But for us who don't like coffee, what are our options? Here are different sources of caffeine, and the pros and cons for each.
1. Tea (iced or hot)
Tea is a great way to stay energized. Some people may think of tea as something to drink right before bed to help you fall asleep, but it can also help you wake up in the morning as well. Not only will it help you stay awake, but it is packed full of antioxidants, which is much healthier than coffee. On the downside, it does not have as much caffeine as coffee.
2. Blended beverages
If you have ever had a Coolata, or a Frappuccino, some of those have the coffee in them. The pro to these is that they give you the caffeine you need for the day and hide the coffee taste pretty well. The con to this one is that they are full of sugar and calories (unless you order it light)!
3. Energy drinks
Monster, Red Bull, and Rockstar, just to name a few, are a huge substitute for caffeine. They are a good pick me up when you need the energy right away, but unfortunately have many downsides. Because of the high caffeine content levels, they can keep you up much longer than needed. They're good first thing in the morning if you really need the energy, but not any later than that.
4. 5 Hour Energy
It's similar to any other energy drink, but this source is a once in a while thing, not an all the time. Sure, it gives you energy for 5 hours, but the crash after the caffeine high is worse than any other crash. You know how little kids get when they go to movies after eating too much sugar? The hyper then the crash? That will happen to you.
5. Chai Tea
I put this in a separate category because it is a type of tea, but more than likely is always put on its own when you go to a coffee shop. The pro is that there is not as much caffeine in Chai, but it almost feels as if you are drinking coffee because it has the same texture. The con is that there are many spices in Chai like cinnamon and clove, so if you are not a fan of any of the spices in there, it could almost be like drinking coffee.
6. Soda
This is probably the most common source of caffeine that people don't realize. Sure, there is a lot less caffeine but there still is a way to get the pick me up you are looking for. The pro is that there is so little in there that one bottle of soda can help you get yourself up at least for a little while. The con is the amount of sugar in soda. Just like an energy drink, there is a lot of sugar, but actually not as much as that energy drink.
Here are some alternatives to those who are either trying to reduce the coffee intake, or for those who do not like coffee altogether. There are other ways to get your caffeine, you just have to look around!
