One of the most common questions I’m asked when I meet clients (particularly tired moms!) is – can I drink coffee? And if so, how much?
Coffee is more than just a morning drink. It’s become an ingrained and comforting part of your morning ritual that can be hard to part ways with. But do you really need to give it up? Let’s find out!
So, Is It Good for You?
In Ayurveda, the honest answer is – it depends! I know this might not always be the most popular response, but everyone will react slightly differently to coffee.
The two main things to keep in mind when it comes to your intake from an Ayurvedic perspective are:
The Doshas & Your Coffee Intake
Depending on your Ayurvedic body type, you may be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others. If you’re not sure what your dosha is, take my free quiz here.
Vata Dosha
Vata types tend to be the most sensitive to coffee. If you’re predominantly Vata, you’ll already be prone to feeling jittery, anxious, nervous and scattered and coffee will only add fuel to that fire 🔥 Coffee is stimulating, and Vatas don’t do well with excess stimulation.
Pitta Dosha
Coffee is heating (even your cold brew!) and stimulating and can very easily tip Pitta dosha out of balance. It can increase acidity, heartburn and even make you feel a little hot and sweaty! Pitta types are usually drawn to drink more than others to accomplish their goals and often ignore the signs that they may be drinking too much.
Kapha Dosha
Kapha types generally tolerate coffee the best! They tend to feel more sluggish and heavy, particularly in the morning, and can genuinely benefit from a little of the stimulation that caffeine can offer. The bitter and astringent taste is also balancing for Kapha.
Your Digestion & Coffee
As well as your dosha, your digestion also factors into how well you respond to coffee. If you’re experiencing loose bowel movements everyday after your morning cup, it’s time to reconsider your intake.
Many people use coffee as a mild laxative to encourage bowel movement if they feel backed up. While this may help you eliminate in the short term, it won’t solve the root cause of your constipation, and can even make it worse over time (coffee is drying in nature).
Make sure to avoid drinking coffee on an empty stomach! Having it with food or after breakfast will lessen the effects on your digestive system.
So How Much is Too Much?
Even if you do tolerate coffee and it doesn’t have a negative impact on your doshas or digestion, in Ayurveda, the general guidelines is to try and enjoy just one cup per day.
Personally, I probably drink about 3 cups per week, and often none at all. If that feels impossible for you, don’t worry! I’m going to walk you through some practical, easy (and enjoyable!) ways you can start reducing your intake today.
Tips for Reducing Your Intake
Ayurvedic Coffee Recipe
I have been getting rave reviews on my Ayurvedic Coffee Recipe! It’s designed to minimise the negative effects of coffee while still enjoying it! You can access it in my Ayurvedic Recipe Book here.
I also have an incredible Coffee Cashew Smoothie recipe in this recipe book which you definitely don’t want to miss!
Add Cardamom!
Adding a pinch of aromatic cardamom can help reduce the Vata aggravating side effects of caffeine like jitters and anxiety and help you feel more grounded after drinking.
Start Slowly Diluting
A simple solution to start cutting back without missing out on your morning ritual is to simply increase the amount of hot water and reduce the amount of coffee. It will be weaker, of course, so you can do this process gradually.
My Favourite Herbal Replacements
My favourite herbal replacement is roasted dandelion root tea! So delicious and it’s a caffeine free alternative. Fresh ginger tea is also a perfect substitute that helps support healthy digestion too.
While you should absolutely enjoy your cup of coffee, the main concern is becoming dependent on it to get through the day. I know this is easier said than done as a tired mom! Getting to the root of the problem and increasing your energy naturally will make a huge difference in managing your coffee consumption. Let me know in the comments below if you want me to do a post on natural ways to boost your energy without caffeine!
