The No-Coffee Challenge: Could You Do It?

on November 9, 2009 at 11:13 AM

CafeMoms in the Running Moms group recently challenged each other to go one whole week without coffee (or other caffeinated drink like tea, soda, etc.).

So why would they willingly choose to put themselves through this?

True, it is suspected that caffeine dependency may cause increased cholesterol levels, impaired fertility, headaches, and other health-related problems. But, generally, for most women, there doesn't seem to be too many dangers of drinking coffee in a moderate amount; doctors recommend we drink no more than 4-5 cups per day.

However, some moms in the Running Moms group said that reducing caffeine (or giving it up all together) had the following effects:

Helped them to sleep better.
Gave them more energy.
Made them less stressed and jittery.
They felt better overall without caffeine.

Typically, I drink herbal tea instead of coffee (which makes me way too jittery). So giving up caffeine for a week or longer wouldn't be a big deal to me. But I know many women who can't make it through the day without their cup of joe.

What do you think? Could you go a whole week without caffeine?

Coffee During Pregnancy

Coffee Good for Your Health?

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

Filed Under: drinking, eating healthy, energy & fatigue, healthy habits, nutrition

Comments (20)

TKsMommie

on Nov 9, 2009 at 12:38 PM

I CAN do it, I have gone weeks without any caffeine before. But I get really bad migraines (they run in my family) and the caffeine helps a lot in keeping them from being as bad as they can be!! Besides I love my caffeine!

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bluelady27

on Nov 9, 2009 at 12:45 PM

I haven't had any beverage with caffeine in it for over a year. Even a candy bar gives me the jitters and makes me feel just "not so good" so I avoid those for the most part as well. If I ever do feel low or our of energy, I grab an orange or strawberry. It is almost instantly better! haha

LuminousMom

on Nov 9, 2009 at 1:02 PM

yep I can do it.. I love my diet coke but I can do without it.

RaggedyAnne

on Nov 9, 2009 at 1:07 PM

I could NOT do w/o coffee

MomIWant

on Nov 9, 2009 at 1:20 PM

I could do it as long as I was in bed in a coma for the entire week....

Cafe MicheleZ

on Nov 9, 2009 at 1:33 PM

It was so hard to do but I did it for my pregnancy. I do have decaf because I still need to trick myself.

Sassysatin

on Nov 9, 2009 at 2:16 PM

I haven't had coffee in so long!!! I don't even know what it tastes like any more... now the smell I do "LOL" but it dosent' bother me.

Momforhealth

on Nov 9, 2009 at 2:42 PM

I could do it ...but dealing with the headaches is not what I want to go through. Coffee is the ultimate comfort food (drink) for me and my husband. I don't like how it makes me feel..It is just so yummy

NDesmond

on Nov 9, 2009 at 3:45 PM

No way could I do it... Just today I've had two travel mugs full plus a quad shot mocha... I was a barista for nearly a decade. I just do not function without my coffee.