Dr. Heather Stone, functional medicine provider, suggested for coffee lovers to be wiser when drinking the morning coffee. Stone (2025) will recommend coffee to be eliminated at the start of a customized program when working with her patients.
What happens when we drink coffee on an empty stomach? It can deplete us from essential minerals including magnesium and zinc. In addition, it will release cortisol and disrupt our glucose levels.
“I plan on keeping a closer eye on potential glucose spikes during the day including coffee time.”
Dr. Stone suggested for us to consider the following:
a.) Pair our coffee time with ‘nutrient-dense’ snacks (e.g., boiled eggs, avocado toast or nuts).
b.) Add ‘adaptogens’ like reishi or ashwagandha to balance stress hormones.
c.) Wait 30 minutes after eating to enjoy the morning cup of coffee.
Personally, I plan on pairing my morning coffee with a ‘nutrient-dense’ snack (e.g., a protein bar or almonds).
Since I have been eating a ‘low-carbohydrate and low sugar’ diet in the past three months, I no longer physically crash in my living room couch by 2 p.m. or have cravings for bread or dessert. I never knew this would be possible.
The best news ever … I have energy for a 2-mile outdoor walk mid-afternoon.
“There was an afternoon breeze today in Stone Creek today!”Adriana
Leah Carver, a health coach, acknowledged the value of one’s energy level in her book titled, “Undoing Hashimoto’s: A Guide to Managing Symptoms, Relieving Overwhelm & Living Well”. Carver considers our energy level to be the most critical commodity in our lives. I completely agree with her.
Leah Carver highly recommends for us to pace ourselves daily. By pausing and resting during the day, our bodies rejuvenate, and the stress hormones remain in-check.
Since I have been taking frequent breaks during the day, mid-morning & mid-afternoon, I am continuously building up the energy reservoir. I now have more energy to accomplish relevant tasks at work and at home effortlessly.
I added a new cycle to my daily rhythms of Hashimoto living. I am taking frequent breaks during the day, engaging in a relaxing activity (e.g., journaling, reading, listening to worship music, piano playing) at sunrise, taking a 20 minutes’ walk mid-afternoon or after lunch to regulate glucose levels, and building the energy along the way.
If we do not take time to unwind throughout the day, our energy account will be depleted by daily stressors. If our bodies are stressed, we will then release the stress hormone, cortisol. High amounts of cortisol in our bodies will contribute to the following: Adrenal gland fatigue, weakened immune systems, disrupted sleep patterns, irregularities in our sex hormones (e.g., low libido, irregular menstrual cycles) and changes in mood (e.g., anxiety and depressive episodes). Just to name a few issues!
Let us break the cycle of stress and regulate cortisol levels daily.
(Note, this is health information, not health advice)
Rhythms 4 Wellness 