SOS! Tea lover needs help finding an alternative drink!?

[kellykeloggs]

Hello Ladies, It's bad enough having severe endo but now all the evidence says I shouldn't have my beloved cups of tea! Does anyone have any suggestions for a hot drink replacement as I don't want to miss the comfort that only a hot drink brings me!

[jojo777]

Hi there, the problem is in the consumption of caffeine that makes the pain worse etc,there is decaf coffee, decaf English tea and green tea etc.

Maybe there is some difference in taste with the original ones, but you will get used to them very soon.

I haven't had any caffeine for more than a year and I'm fine with it. I just have the decaf versions. xx

[kellykeloggs]

Thanks jojo I was reading up on the endo diet and all of the drinks alternatives were either something i don't like or ones I've never heard of. I've never been a coffee drinker as tea is my only vice! lol It sounds silly but I never thought of decaf tea! Thank you x

[Impatient]

I came off caffeine altogether about 10 years ago. Don't touch alcohol either.

My staple is the flavoured water from the supermarkets. Never the ones with aspartame but sucralose as a sweetener seems to be okay for me. Aspartame is wicked stuff, i felt so much better after cutting out all consumables that contained it.

For hot drinks i have vegie soups every lunch, i even have crutons with my soup (i know they have gluten in them but I prefer a crunchy soup!!)

[lillyflower]

Hi I drink a lot of coffee I know I shouldn't but gets me through my day. I've reduced it by having caffeine free coffee some of the day and an odd herbal tea or hot choc in evening. I was advised to reduce my caffeine gradually not in one go or you'll end up with headaches so each week replace another 1 or 2 cups of tea a day with a caffeine free one it also makes it easyier to make the change over doing it gradually and your more likely to stick with it . I haven't tried the diet at the moment I just need to gain weight after op I lost more and need to eat as much as possible but do try to be healthy but we have to have some nice treats too!

[kellykeloggs]

Thanks lillyflower I lost a lot of weight too and finding it hard to gain again. I am very aware that this whole endo diet is a big deal and long term. As a previous yo-yo dieter I didn't want to end up depressed over my new "diet" and denying myself the things I like as this illness can be depressing enough!

[jojo777]

The whole point is to make the endo diet as part of your lifestyle so you wont miss constantly wheat etc (well, except chocolate, we all miss it lol). This wont be done overnight, eliminating a few things at a time could be easier. A good book for endo diet recipes and explanations why certain foods can cause more damage its a good investment too. (i have one from Carolyn Levett)

I follow more or less the endo diet, no gluten, no caffeine, alcohol maybe once per month, trying to avoid dairy, but I will allow to myself once per week or so and chocolate and a nice Costa cappuccino! x

A good site for the diet

endo-resolved.com/diet.html

[lillyflower]

You've just read my mind, dealing with what they found is enough for me to deal with and feeling like I'm on a diet when I need to remind myself to eat isn't good for me but maybe just cutting down on tea and some foods but if your too strict straight away I know I'd struggle so maybe just gradually replace things and see if it helps. Just enjoy a treat now and again too we need some nice things to enjoy too! I'm opting for chocolate tonight! Lol x

[kellykeloggs]

Exactly jojo I want to eat well and not treat it as a fad diet. But rather to be able to find replacements for the things I like so I dont have that feeling that it's all too much like hard work! I realise it's not an other night thing! Tea I thought was a good place to start as it probably makes up the majority of my daily intake! So I should see it make a difference in a few weeks or so! x

[aabb]

I enjoy hot water with a slice of lemon or lime. I dont drink much tea now as I enjoy my water better.

xx

[Chiligirl]

Work your way through the Pukka herbal tea range! The 'morning time' one has replaced coffee for me. There are some really good ones, you won't get bored! Good luck. Xx

[spice47]

Hi, I find the instant Light Horlicks drink very good , it has Calcium and I think B vitamins, and is very satisfying !!

[crystal_willow]

Due to anxiety I only ever drink decaf. You soon get used to the slight taste differences (its really no different to switching to a new brand really) and I really enjoy it. Tetley and PG tips both do a nice decaff version

[jojo777]

Just to comment on one of the above recommendations, the horlicks drinks are made of wheat (gluten) and milk (dairy). Both are not to be taken when endo diet is followed. x

[spice47 in reply to jojo777]

Thanks jojo, Im not on a strict endo diet as have had ovaries removed, i think Horlicks has 33% wheat so not that high and also milk is in dried form which i thought might not be so reactive, I do need extra calcium and vit D x

[LittleMissManx Moderator]

Another suggestion here girls. I recently bought a box of mint and chili teabags as the box jumped out at me from the shelf.

And honestly its not quite as weird as it sounds. The peppermint taste is very refeshing with the chili coming through a slow heat that warms you up afterwards. If you like it really hot/strong then you can leave the bag in whilst you finish the drink.

I also like the Teapigs liquorice tea but I know not everyone is a fan of the liquorice taste and you need to be for that one really

[AshleyJ]

Continuing on from the Rooibos recommendation earlier, I love this tea. I drink it with either a slice of lemon. Or the Rooibos Vanilla Tea with a splash of soya milk and a teaspoon of honey, it is super tasty!

[endo_star]

Hey, just to let you know defaff tea and coffee is not caffeine free. Stick to naturally caffeine free drinks such as herbal tea. I've been drinking camomile and ginger teas for over a year now instead of tea and I don't miss it

[Hidden]

I have decaff tea + coffee. Also chai latte tea which 99% caffine free., its cinnnamon based hot drink. Hope you find a hot drink replacement soon.

[kellykeloggs]

Thank you everyone for your responses! There's a lot of very useful info as well as some flavours that do take my fancy! And I have had some funny looks in Sainsburys for spending hours reading all the packaging in the hot drinks aisle!!! lol

[Jaine]

Clipper Decaf Everyday tea tastes exactly like regular tea.