Happy Sunday! I don't know what the weather is like where you are, but the morning here in Ohio is gray, drizzly and seriously calling for a cozy sweater and a big cup o' Joe.
Now, I LOVE me some coffee. The flavor, the smell, the texture, even the ritual of brewing a pot in the morning is something that feeds my soul. Coffee is one of those things that is so intertwined in my family and my own history that its smell provokes an almost emotional response in me.
Unfortunately, I'm very sensitive to coffee beans. What the everlovin' $#@*&%$?? So unfair. But, I get it... *sigh* Coffee is commonly featured on lists of foods that are cross-reactive with gluten. As a celiac, I can't bury my head in the sand any longer.
For awhile, I had healed my gut and boosted my system well enough that I could tolerate a cup or so a day as long as I stayed away from dairy and certain roasts.
Alas, that lovely period has passed, and as I have embarked on this crazy ambitious elimination diet, I can see that my body really wants to be coffee-free… which doesn't necessarily mean caffeine free. Hallelujah!
I'm actually not dependent on caffeine. I just really like tea, particularly green and black varieties that are naturally caffeinated. And, luckily, my body handles tea fairly well.
Enter matcha. At 37g of caffeine per 1 teaspoon of matcha powder, compared to 95-165 mg/8 oz cup of coffee per the Mayo Clinic, it gets me going with less caffeine to aggravate my nervous system.
The really cool part? The presence of L-theanine in matcha changes the impact of caffeine, allowing for a steadier increase in attention and focus without the crash that coffee often produces. Boom!
Have you tried a matcha latte, yet? Or maybe you're a bit more au natural and prefer it plainly mixed with water? Some people get super creative and make crazy desserts or smoothies or waffles with it, too. It's so versatile.
If you've tried a sip or two and thought it was awful, I encourage you to try again! I find that my taste buds adapt and by the third or fourth sip, it's delicious! I prefer it in latte form with coconut or almond milk, so it's thick and frothy and really helps satisfy my coffee cravings.
Here's the best part.. matcha is legit good for you too!
It's green tea using the whole entire leaf, so think of all of the benefits of green tea you've heard about and know this is even better! Although it's not encouraged to drink more than 1-2 cups a day, it is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fiber.
And, this stuff is making quite a number of appearances in research studies. Results suggest connections with boosting brain function, improving liver health, fighting cancer, enhancing mood, weight loss, gut healing, and supporting the immune system.
So, if you're looking for a substitute for your coffee, a fellow celiac or know yourself to be gluten sensitive, order a matcha tea the next time you're at your local coffee shop. This might be a game changer for you, particularly if you're not seeing the level of improvement you'd like from ditching the gluten alone.
Be sure to comment below and let me know how you like your matcha!