A Better Alternative to Coffee

Looking for an afternoon pick-me-up? If coffee is your usual choice, you should know that caffeine can magnify stress, says James Lane, Ph.D., professor of medical psychology at Duke University Medical Center — and who needs more of that?

To help scale back: “Combine regular and decaffeinated coffee beans before you grind. Use three parts regular coffee for every one part decaf,” Lane suggests, “or alternate coffee with tea, which has less than half the caffeine (about 50 milligrams of caffeine per 8 oz. cup versus 130 milligrams).”

Another option: coffee substitutes, which deliver an intense, rich flavor but no nerve-jangling buzz. Below, the lowdown on five popular brands.

Cafix All Natural Instant Beverage

The Taste: Figs and beetroots lend a mild, sweet taste to this option.

Prep: Instant

Cost/Where to Buy: 5 cents per serving; $6 for 7.05 oz.; amazon.com

Inka Instant Grain Beverage

The Taste: This bitter and smoky-tasting variety actually looks like a cup of brewed coffee.

Prep: Instant

Cost/Where to Buy: 3 cents per serving (making it the least expensive!); $4 for 5.25 oz.; inkacoffee.com

Postum Instant Hot Beverage

The Taste: Sweeter than the other brands, this molasses-infused powder tastes best with milk and a dash of cinnamon.

Prep: Instant

Cost/Where to Buy: 11 cents per serving; $9 for 8 oz.; farawayfoods.com

Roastaroma Tea

The Taste: This chicory-based tea has a bitter cinnamon flavor but might not satisfy hard-core java junkies.

Prep: Tea bags

Cost/Where to Buy: 15 cents per serving; $6 for 40 tea bags.; celestialseasonings.com

Teeccino Caffeine-Free Herbal Coffee

The Taste: The closest in appearance to ground coffee beans, this java sub has a mild caramel taste.

Prep: Brew like coffee

Cost/Where to Buy: 29 cents per serving; $7 for 8.5 oz.; amazon.com