My Journey with Caffeine Addiction

Caffeine is found in a lot of products, and most of us upon waking in the morning grab some type of caffeine- whether it be coffee, tea, cola or the famous red bull. Now I am not saying all of us are caffeine addicts, Just most of us. When I found out I was pregnant with my first child I was consuming about 4 cups of coffee in the morning, and drinking about 2 cokes in the evening. I was 26 and always on the go, well with that much caffeine intake anyone would be. My midwife told me that caffeine in moderation was fine but the amount that I was consuming was way to much. So I set a plan for myself I cut myself back to 1 cup of coffee in the morning, and 1 cola in the evening. Then the in between was filled with sparkling water that I pretended was soda. I started developing headaches, I swear the first 2 months of pregnancy I kept a headache. I thought it was pregnancy related. Then after some research found out that its a withdrawal symptom of caffeine. Withdrawal symptom? I thought to myself is caffeine that addictive?

Well lets look at some of the products out there that contain caffeine:

Coca-Cola contains 34mg, Mountain Dew 55mg, most instant coffee 65-100mg a cup. Think about this before giving your child a coke, mine do get kinda wild on the second one of the day, do I have bought them sparkling water, and told them it was sprite. I know I am lying but its for the greater good of their health and my sanity. Caffeine is found in chocolate, lot of over the counter pain killers contain caffeine, check the ingredients before purchasing.

Caffeine can cause irregular heartbeat, can raise blood pressure.

And to top it all it is highly addictive, now for those withdrawal symptoms I was talking about, headaches, sleepiness and irritability. The ingredient Tannin found in coffee and tea is used for tanning leather. No wonder coffee stains the teeth.

But I have a hard time comparing this with other addictions, I mean I have never heard anyone say they were robbed for caffeine money, or go to rehab for a caffeine addiction. But then again if they made caffeine illegal it might be a different story. I would have stole a purse for a coffee today (just kidding). But all joking aside Coffee can be bad for you if you over indulge. Just take it easy with the coffee and you should be OK. I have noticed that on certain days that I have some extra coffee in the evening I have a hard time sleeping, and wonder sometimes if I would ever have insomnia problems, if I did not have caffeine. But I have cut down, and have tried to stick with it 4 years and 2 kids later, I am just having 2 cups of coffee in the morning, and a soda here and there. I still drink my water and try and avoid caffeine in the evenings. My children might have a soda as a treat once in a while, but we stick to carbonated waters for them as well. It was a long journey, but I finally got on the right track.