One of the most difficult things about transitioning to a Low Histamine Diet for me was breaking up with my morning coffee. Bidding farewell to coffee was hard– REALLY hard. It wasn’t so much the energy boost that coffee gave me that I missed because the new diet, supplements, and increase in water took care of that for me. But what I found I missed the most was the ritual itself – the process of crafting that warm, sweet, and nutty morning brew to start my day. You too? Well, fear not! I have a great low histamine coffee substitute to share with you.
WHY TRADITIONAL COFFEE MAY NOT BE YOUR FRIEND
Although not necessarily high in histamines, caffeine, a major component of coffee can inhibit the activity of diamine oxidase (DAO), an enzyme responsible for breaking down histamine in the body. This can lead to a buildup of histamine, potentially triggering symptoms.
Because of this, coffee scores a 1 on the SIGHI food compatibility list, earning its spot on the TLH MAYBE List. This means coffee is moderately compatible with people who have a histamine intolerance. Occasional consumption of small quantities is often tolerated. You may experience minor symptoms when you drink it, or you may not react at all. It’s one of those foods you will need to test to see if you can tolerate it.
If you decide to test your tolerance with coffee, choose one that is:
- Organic
- Low histamine
- Low mold
- Swiss water process decaffeinated (meaning it’s more than 99.9% caffeine-free)
Suggest Brand: Purity Coffee Checks all these boxes.
For me, at the beginning of my Low Histamine journey, I could not tolerate any coffee and because of that, I had to find a low histamine coffee substitute.
A SIP OF RELIEF: ROOIBOS TEA
Enter Rooibos Tea – a fantastic alternative that’s naturally caffeine-free and low in histamines. Made from the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis shrub, which is native to South Africa. The name “rooibos” comes from Afrikaans and means “red bush.
The taste of Rooibos tea is a little sweet and nutty with a slight vanilla woodsy taste. A great substitute for that coffee taste.
Suggested Brand: Numi Organic Rooibos
CLOVE ROOIBOS LATTE: A LOW-HISTAMINE COFFEE ALTERNATIVE Recipe
This right here is my tried and true, go-to morning coffee alternative. A rooibos tea latte with clove that satisfies my morning coffee craving.
Clove Rooibos Latte: A Low Histamine Coffee Alternative
This cozy clove Rooibos Tea latte is an excellent alternative to morning coffee. It’s cozy, and warm and hits the spot in the morning.
