Cutting Down on Caffeine

Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant that can temporarily increase your heart rate and boost energy levels. However, because caffeine stimulates your nervous system, cutting it out of your diet is much easier when you start by cutting it down.

Consider where you get most of your caffeine. Caffeine is in coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate and some over-the-counter medications. For most healthy adults, 200 to 300 milligrams a day, or about two to three cups of coffee, pose no physical problems.

If you are scaling back the amount of caffeine you consume, reduce caffeine intake slowly so your body can adjust.

• Mix decaffeinated coffee with your regular coffee.

• Drink a latte with more low-fat milk than coffee.

• Brew tea for less time.

• Drink juice instead of cola.

If you want a caffeine-free energy boost, try physical activity to get you going in the mornings.