Whether it helps you start your day or power through an afternoon, coffee is the most consumed caffeinated beverage in the U.S. Unfortunately, coffee is not always the healthiest choice. Try one of these forms of caffeine instead.
Tea
Tea has numerous health benefits, plus it can provide a nice amount of energy without causing caffeine jitters. Caffeinated tea averages 40 mg of caffeine per cup, which is less than half the amount in a cup of coffee. This allows you to drink more tea during the day without overstimulation.
Dark Chocolate
Because cocoa beans contain caffeine, dark chocolate might be able to give you an energy boost. It is best to eat pure dark chocolate, which is filled with antioxidants. A 1-ounce serving of dark chocolate with 70% cocoa provides about 25 mg of caffeine.
Protein Bars
Although traditional protein bars do not have caffeine, some versions do. If you cannot find one specifically with caffeine, consider one with dark chocolate, green tea, or coffee extract, which also contain caffeine.
Avoid Energy Drinks
Typical energy drinks will have at least as much caffeine as a cup of coffee but are often accompanied by a ton of sugar – or fake sugar. Many energy drinks get their caffeine from the seeds of guarana, a South American climbing plant that can make you feel even more jittery and cause serious energy crashes or other side effects.