Hi Guys!
I hope you had a wonderful Easter Weekend!!!
I have had a blast in Atlanta! We have been doing so many fun activities (hiking, ping pong, golf, swimming, etc.). I’ve been making food and working also, but it doesn’t seem like work at all. I love everyone down I’ve been around and working with. I did not expect to see how beautiful the land here is, filled with forests and flowering trees and creeks and rivers.
Now…. Let’s talk about coffee! So many of my clients ask me if they have to give up coffee to be healthy, because they love it so much. I personally haven’t touched coffee in years, and I feel way better from giving it up. Here are some reasons to nix the ugly black drink 
:
1. Coffee is extremely acid-forming in the body. We want to choose foods that will help us raise the alkalinity of our blood and our bodies. Coffee does the opposite!
Certainly not a beauty food!!
2. Coffee can deplete us of nutrients. Heavy coffee consumption can cause a deficiency in B vitamins, and specifically B1, thiamine. This can make us feel fatigued, nervous and achy. Furthermore, when we regularly consumed coffee it can prevent nutrients from being absorbed efficiently in our small intestines, which can further contribute to nutritional deficiencies.
3. Coffee is one of the most heavily pesticide sprayed crops. Much of our coffee comes from South America, and specifically Colombia, and uses pesticides such as heptachlor, chlordane and deiedrin. These pesticides are toxic to our body!
4. Drinking coffee for the long-term taxes our liver, a major fat-burning and detoxifying organ. The liver can get overloaded trying to detoxify out all the chemical residue in coffee, along with all the caffeine. This then impedes us having fresh, clean blood and being able to grow and regenerate healthy tissue.
5. Coffee stresses the adrenals. Anyone exasperated by their chronic undereye circles?? That would be adrenal exhaustion. Since coffee contains an acid-based oil it irritates the lining of the stomach and promotes gastric acidity. This encourages our body to secrete adrenaline, which then stimulates insulin secretion, and this in turn can fuel hypoglycemia. What does that mean?? The bottom line for us can be craving for sweets a few hours later, having crazy dips in energy, and moodiness!
If you still insist on drinking coffee, here is how I suggest you do it:
1. Always drink organic coffee! Don’t pollute your body with all those poisonous chemicals that are rampant in coffee crops.
2. Don’t think decaf is any better! Decaf coffee usually has the caffeine extracted from it by a chemical called trichloroethylene, which is toxic. It has been used in dry-cleaning and for degreasing metals!
3. If you like coffee sweet or with milk, only use stevia almond milk. We DON’T want to be throwing any kind of dairy or creamer on top of the already acid coffee!
4. Try switching to Yerba Mate, which is a tea that has caffeine, but less, and is a good transition drink for you.
5. Don’t drink coffee at the end of dinner! You will acidify the food you just ate. That is a terrible habit that we should never do!!
6. Don’t drink more than one coffee a day, TOPS.
That’s how I feel about that! One cup a day isn’t going to kill you, but it would be best to wean down to a few times a week…
Have a great start to this April week! I’ll write more really soon.
All my very best,
Kimberly
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Great post, it’s inspiring to see you quit coffee altogether, gives me hope that it can be done.
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Cool story, bro!
Decaf coffee is rarely processed with tricholoroethylene (TCE) or dicholoromethane (DCM) extraction anymore due to residues found in the finished product and concerns about their health effects. More typically, super-critical carbon dioxide is used, which is arguably much safer. That said, only a certain amount of caffeine can actually be successfully removed through this process, so even decaf coffee still have caffeine in it.
You wrote a interesting point but I can’t help but wonder, what about the other side?
Dear Kimberly, I have been drinking the GGS every morning after waking up. About 15 minutes after I finished my GSS, I prepare my coffee and drink it while I get ready for work. I wouldn’t be able to start my day without coffee… am I “severely” compromising the effective absorption of the GSS into my system? Thank you!!
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Hi!
I love yuour blog! I will start to try your smoothie tomorrow morning!!
I wanted to know more about your opinion on Yerba Mate. I’m form Argentina and here we drink it on a daily basis (peronsonally twice a day tops). I’ve heard it has health benefits and makes me feel great, but I’m afraid for the mateína (a sort of caffein) and what detriment that may have.
Keep up the great posts!!
Hello! Everything in moderation. It does have antioxidants, but a pretty good level of caffeine. I personally would not drink it every single day. The more caffeine you have, the more you exhaust your adrenals. xx
Hi Kim,
I have just finished reading the entire book and am really looking forward to reaping some of these benefits. I have been having a cup of coffee every morning for several years now, but today was my first day with BDS so I didn’t.
I am missing it more than I thought… but will keep trying.
If I DO let myself have a cup every once in a while (organic with almond milk of course!), when should I have it in relation to the lemon water, probiotics, GGS, etc? What is the order that will minimize the acidity?
Thanks for you awesome book!
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Is coconut milk a healthy alternative to creamer, soy, and regular cows milk? Or do you still prefer almond milk?
Thanks for the advice, help, and information!!
Thank you for the great article. I gave up coffee and caffeine a few months ago mostly because of mood changes and acidity. It is nice to read all the other reasons why I should stay away from it. I can’t wait until I stop craving it.
Thanks again,
Martin
I thought I’d follow-up to let you know I’ve been coffee-free since your post! Reading the reasons to stop was the push I needed. I did, however, pick up some alternatives to my need for hot drinks, Pero (malted barley) and Teecino (Ingredients: organic roasted carob, organic roasted barley, chicory root, organic dates, almonds, organic chicory, organic figs, extract of organic vanilla & natural nut flavor.) I feel that it is a healthier alternative. Do you agree?
I apologize in advance if you have blogged about this already, but I was wondering if you’d do a post about your typical grocery list or your typical meals in a given day. I’m so fascinated by the raw diet and your wealth of knowledge!
Thank you so much!
Meredith
Found your response to this question as I looked through your archives. Thanks for all the information you share! I’d love to download your brain! You are so smart!
Thank you for this article.
I’m both sad and ultra excited to give up coffee.
5 coffee-free days and counting.
Thanks again!
Mihaela
Wow, good for you! Keep it up girl!
Interesting article on coffee!
I am down to 1 cup of half decaf/half reg per day from many cups of regular.
Thanks for sharing this information!
Hi Kim,
I’m curious what your take on Agave is as a sweetener? I see it everywhere and it is marketed as a healthy alternative to sugar because of its low glycemic index. Then I turn around and read today that it is far worse than sugar because of its high fructose content. Please help! I just bought some thinking I was investing in my health. Now I’m just more confused than before.
Thanks! I appreciate your take on all things health related!
Pam
Hi Pam! I used to use agave in the past but I’m really starting to steer clear of it now because of the fructose, and replace it with stevia and liquid stevia. I was going to do a post soon on agave! Stay tuned.
xx Kimberly
I like it when you give a good, better, best for options. So I’m wondering -and others- if honey is good, agave is better, and stevia is best in regards to sweetening items? Looking forward to that post!
HI Love!
Honey still has fructose, but if it is harvested sustainably and organically it is better… Stevia definitely reigns as number one but is very hard to make good desserts and recipes with. xx Kimberly
Almond milk with stevia is excellent but xylose is slightly less bitter, also has no calories, and is closer in sweetness to natural sugar
Hi, I have visited your website today and it was a wonderful experience ! The wonderful presentation of your website have become my point of attraction.
Thanks & Regards, Elmoon
Great thank you! I like colors and pictures.
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Great article Kimberly! When I occasionally ‘treat’ myself to a coffee I make sure I balance the acidity with plenty of lemon water or mineral water.
Great that you are conscious of that!!
hey kim!!!
Great post! I know this is an off topic question but i was wondering if you could help me. I’m 20 and still have acne and was wondering how you felt about acne supplements & if they really work. Thanks for your blog its so so informative and inspiring!!!!!
Hope you had a great easter
-Lauren
Hi Lauren! You must check out my blogs on Eating for Acne. There is a root cause, and the acne is merely a symptom of your body trying to detoxify something. If you want to get rid of the acne for good you really have to get rid of the root cause.
xx Kimberly
Hi Kimberly,
I’ve had a problem with dark under cycles for a long time. It seems like I’ve had them forever (I’m 25). I used to drink coffee regularly, but I only have it once in awhile now. I know its difficult to give advice without a complete medical history and personal diet information, but do you have any general advice for someone like me? Besides giving up coffee, what else can one do for adrenal exhaustion?
Hope to hear from you. Thanks.
HI Love, have you read my blog on Undereye Circles? I think it’s called “Stop Slathering on the Makeup, Clear up the Undereye Circles.”
Hi Kimberly! What are your thoughts on using coconut milk creamer as a dairy replacement? Thanks!
Paula
Philadelphia, PA
Hi love, it is a bit thick but if you like it and it replaces dairy I say go for it!
You won’t need too much. Unsweetened almond milk is another good option.
Hi Kimberly! What are your thoughts on coconut milk creamer? Would that be a good substitute for dairy?
Paula
Philadelphia, PA
That’s what I’ve been using since I gave up dairy. I’d like to know too.
Hi, your post about coffee came at just the right time! I am in the process of de-coffee-ing and needed some fresh reminders why. I have looked into substitutes such as Pero and Teecino (which is brewed like coffee), have you heard of or tried either? I also have given up soda (even diet) due to the acidity, do you drink it? Thanks so much for sharing your great health tips!
HI Meredith! I NEVER drink any soda!! Not one drop!!!!!
Come on Meredith, did you really think Kim would drink soda.
I haven’t had coffee in about 4 years now and I am so happy I don’t have to rely on it. Green juice and teechino all the way!
And smoothies of course.
Like the one I saw on your fabulous blog a few weeks ago!
Great post! Just shared it with my readers!!
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I can sense your happiness through your words and I am so happy to see you happy. While I live in Miami, I still have a house in Atlanta because it is just TOO HARD to leave….LOL! But at the end of the day, it’s the community in which you are in that makes us experience the true joy of life. I am sure you company must be wonderful. You are truly blessed. Happy Easter and thanks for the coffee tips, I am trying to quit! Much love.
Thanks David! I am with a Farrelly brothers movie, who are some of the warmest people ever. They make the whole set feel like a family! And yes I love Atlanta.
Don’t give up your house!! Shanti, Kimberly