Help, need caffeine alternatives, mildly embarrassing.

[PrizedPickledPopcorn]

I need some very specific healthy swaps. I have to give up my lovely morning coffee, and the afternoon diet colas I look forward to!
I rely the morning stimulant effect on my bowel and enjoy the afternoon pick me up!

Is there anything that will hit the same spot, do the same job?

Take a magnesium tablet before bed!

Is there a reason you need to swap them out? Might help with suggestions?
I just stopped my morning coffee as I just found I wasn’t enjoying it as much. I added in granola for breakfast and 2.5L of water a day to keep things regular! I couldn’t stop by daily fizzy juice though it’s my favourite thing!

I think you will find that standing up combined with any hot drink in the morning will stimulate peristalsis and get your bowels moving. You might also find that you won't need the afternoon pick me up if you aren't experiencing the slump caused by caffeine withdrawal.

As for alternatives - there are shelves full of them in every supermarket and convenience store. I like peppermint tea, decaf filter coffee, Pret skinny iced chocolate and fizzy water but there are thousands of choices out there.

Be prepared for low level headaches for a few days as your body suffers from the caffeine withdrawal.

Edited for grammar

I drink chicory - it’s a reasonable alternative if you need that hot milky drink. Also herbal teas which are caffeine free. I often steep ginger with a bit of honey too.
It’s also fibrous but not as much if a stimulant as coffee.

Strong tea, made with loose leaf tea brewed in a teapot? I do like coffee, but find it makes my tummy gurgle first thing in the morning, whereas I’m fine with strong tea. If it’s the fizz you like in the afternoons, how about sparkling mineral water? I drink it cold, with a slice of lemon, but if I’m desperate for a bit more flavour, I add a dash of elderflower cordial or lemon barley water.

Maybe not in the hot weather, but I love a hot bovril in the afternoon - it seems to get me over the need to snack as much?

Would you be up for trying herbal teas?

Ginger and peppermint might suit your needs, or if you want something more coffee-esque in the morning, ginger and dandelion root. Liquorice root might do in place of the afternoon cola.

Thank you for all the suggestions that I’ll work my way through over the next few days!

I was mainly decaf for years, although still with diet colas. But medication slowed my bowel down from over active to under active and I discovered a strong coffee in the morning did the trick.

I’m having to cut it out now because of an irritable bladder.

It’s a bit of a balancing act, enough to work on my bowel but not annoying my bladder! 🤭

I don’t think a random hot drink and stand8ng up will do the trick, @Namechangefordaughterevasion or the decaf coffee I drink already would have done it. I know all the nice drinks. It’s the stimulant effect I’m asking advice about.

I dislike black tea, but do drink various herbal ones.

I’ll definitely try the magnesium, @Cornishmumofone, I’d forgotten about that!

@Lentilcakes is chicory a stimulant or does the chicory drink have fibre in it? I didn’t know a drink could have fibre.

I’m not convinced upping fibre generally is the answer- I do have a good diet including plenty of fibre. The ‘amount’ or bulk isn’t the issue, it’s the urge. It just doesn’t happen.

Decaf coffee?

Ginger and peppermint sounds awesome- I have some mega strong candied ginger I made that’s fit for nothing but tea- it blows your head off to try and eat it. I have mint in the garden, no actual tea at the moment.

I have a liquorice tea though. I’ll give that a go, too.

Just dreading the effect of no strong morning coffee 😅.

Doesn’t do the trick I’m afraid. I drink gallons of the stuff.

Magnesium oxide or psyllium husk would work or you could try getting more fibre in your diet. “Bulletproof-style” coffee with coconut oil and butter would also work although that might be a bit extreme.

Drinks can definitely have fibre - soluble fibre. There's quite a bit in coffee, whether caffeinated or not.

That’s really interesting. Thank you
A deep dive into my drinks cupboard has found liquorice and chai, and peppermint and liquorice.
I’m going to start by swapping my morning coffee to herbal teas, and might have the coffee mid afternoon instead of a cola.

Well today hasn’t gone well 😁 2x Liquorice and mint tea, mint and ginger tea, a couple of glasses of water /cola and a headache, so far.

I think you need to persist. I’ve recently had to give up coffee due to a diagnosis. I did have several years when I didn’t do caffeine at all. I felt great with lots of energy. It’s been probably 6 weeks now and I feel great again. I don’t feel fatigued at all (other than normal fatigue from my illness, but not in the morning). I was also really constipated due to other issues and now that I’ve had a few weeks to adjust, that’s gone away. My gut is the best it’s been in years. Do keep going. I drink a lot of black tea (which I know you don’t like), but also a lot of iced tea of all varieties. I make a pitcher every night before bed and put it in the fridge for the next day.

Chia seeds - not whole, best if soaked overnight in overnight oats or similar

Line/Flax seeds - grounded. Add to yoghurt, granola etc.

Magnesium but check which one is the best to induce bowl movements.

Fresh orange juice first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

I am on weight loss injections and one of the side effects I have is constipation and I have days where only Senokot will help.

Stick with me on this one.

my yoga teacher tells me that the calves act as a secondary pump for your circulation so that calf stretches (one leg at a time, on a step, hang heel off step then rise up on the toes and slowly lower onto the step. Alternate sides) is even more energising than a double expresso

I am currently on strong codeine for pain but it really constipates people/me. Turmeric tea acts as a mild laxative for me. I think it's a fairly common response to turmeric. It's also reasonably tasty