I drink a lot of matcha green tea and it’s not just for the pretty pictures.
Why do I incorporate matcha into my diet?
You don’t have to be a health coach, nutritionist or registered dietician to know there is a strong link between caffeine and anxiety.
A quick Goggle search on the subject of foods that contribute to anxiety will inevitably turn up a strong (pun intended) trend. Coffee always tops the list.
I love and will always love the taste and ritual of drinking coffee but in order to effectively manage my anxiety, coffee and I have a limited relationship.
I’m by no means perfect. Life isn’t meant to be black and white but I also know that I never want to go back to a life when anxiety, sleepless nights and panic attacks where a daily part of my existence; thus, coffee and I have a distant romance.
To help manage my anxiety I switched to matcha green tea.
Caffeine and Mood
Caffeine can stimulate your “fight or flight” response, which can make anxiety worse, as well as inhibit levels of serotonin in the brain. When serotonin levels are suppressed, you can become irritable.
Consuming one too many cups of caffeine may also interrupt your sleep patterns, which in turn can contribute to more anxiety. You get the cycle.
I find that I can drink one cup of matcha a day without experiencing the same side effects as coffee, but everyone is unique and matcha may be too strong for you if you are very sensitive to caffeine.
What is Matcha?
Matcha is a more concentrated form of green tea, where the tealeaves have been ground into a fine powder.
Matcha is extremely high in antioxidants, specifically catechins, which is known for its cancer fighting properties.
Matcha also contains L-theanine which is an amino acid that induces relaxation and helps prevent some of negative side effects of caffeine, making it a great alternative to coffee.
You can make matcha the traditional way using ceremonial grade tea; a bamboo whisk and a ceramic bowl or blended with nut milk to make a matcha latte. You can also use a culinary grade matcha to make sweet treats, like this Matcha Chia Pudding, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite snacks.
Use the code Kerri15 for fifteen percentage off your purchase of PANATEA matcha.
And if you experience stress and anxiety or panic attacks, working with a health coach to make some modifications to your diet and lifestyle may help alleviate your symptoms. I offer a range of programs, which you can view on my website under the “Work with Me” section and than click on the programs tab.
For other ways I incorporate matcha into my daily routine, read about my morning rituals here.
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Matcha Mint Chocolate Chia Pudding
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 5
- Total Time: 15
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup chia seeds
- 4 cups almond milk
- 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 3/4 tsp peppermint extract
- 1 tsp culinary grade matcha (Use code “KerriA” for 15% off PANATEA)
- 4 tbs unsweetened cacao nibs
- 14 drops stevia extract
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, blend nut milk, peppermint and stevia on medium until well blended.
- Add cacao nibs and blend for an additional 10-15 seconds.
- Add dried coconut and chia and blend on low until well combined with no lumps.
- Pour into individual jars and chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.
Patrick Sporleder Photography