Are you one of those people who rely on coffee to jump start your day and power through your morning routine?
If so, you’re not alone. For many of us, the thought of starting our day without a cup of coffee is unthinkable.
But as a nutritionist, I’m here to tell you that coffee alone is not a healthy breakfast choice. In fact, relying on coffee as your morning meal can have negative impacts on your health and well-being.
I am here to share with you the reasons why coffee shouldn’t be breakfast and what you can do instead to fuel your body and start your day off right!
If this sounds like you…
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Increased heart rate
- Irritability
- Low morning appetite
- Dehydrated
- Digestive complaints
- Poor concentration
It may be due to your morning coffee and this is how…
- Coffee may stimulate the production of stomach acid, which can lead to issues such as indigestion, bloating, and nausea.
- Caffeine increases the production of cortisol and adrenaline (the stress hormone in the body). While this may provide a temporary boost, excessive and prolonged consumption can disrupt and impair the body’s ability to manage stress.
- Drinking coffee first thing in the morning can impair blood sugar control, affecting weight management, hormones and energy levels
- Coffee’s diuretic properties can increase urine production via the kidneys leading to dehydration, which can cause headaches and fatigue.
What to do instead …
- Enjoy breakfast first ( if you have a low morning appetite this can be due to a sluggish liver, stress, habit, or inadequate stomach acid, which are all areas that can be explored in a consultation)
- If having a large breakfast is overwhelming start with a liquid breakfast such as a smoothie (balanced with carbs, fats & protein )
- Space coffee intake 1 hour after food to not inhibit the absorption of nutrients and avoid digestive upset
I am not here to tell you not to enjoy coffee, but we can opt for a way to enjoy it without negatively impacting our health!
