Today is day #2 of my January 2023 World Carnivore Month Challenge. My biggest challenge is eliminating coffee.
I tried not drinking coffee on 31-12-2022 just to test it out. Sure, I felt like there was something missing but other than that I was all right (or so I thought).
Seven hours later I was hit with a headache. It was the type of headache that I get when I am coming down with flu. I have not had a headache in a long time. It was quite bad and I suspect it had to do with caffeine withdrawal. So in the afternoon, I caved in and made myself a mug of iced coffee. But no, the headache did not go away.
The next day (01-01-2023) upon waking, the headache was still there but quite mild. I had warm water and started my no-coffee challenge. And yes, the headache came back with a vengeance. Haiz! I just sucked it up and tahan. Not only did I have a headache, I felt depressed and I had some degree of anxiety. Just like the good old days adoi!
This morning I woke up with a headache and yes, depression too. I just went about my day and did a spot of gardening. After weeding and re-potting some plants, I felt much better. Then I decided to google and research what I was feeling and sure enough I was experiencing symptoms of caffeine withdrawal. Scary lah.
As of the time of writing, the headache is gone and I feel positive again, no more depressed or anxious.
So let me show you my lunch today.
It's air fryer eggs and the bacon was also air fried. It is quite simple, just beat up some eggs and pour the beaten eggs into a heat proof bowl. Add a dollop of butter and air fry the eggs at 180C for 5-8 minutes.
My eggs were overcooked but the center was still gooey, it's like a hybrid between fried eggs and soft boiled eggs.
Dinner will be pork belly soup. The soup is actually bone broth made with chicken feet, celery and onions.
I hope that I won't get a headache again tomorrow, fingers crossed.
Gosh. Need to take it slowly. Not totally stop drinking caffeine. We can't totally kick our addiction completely, it takes times.
ReplyDeleteOoo. Bacons. Bet it will be better next time.
You are right, I should do it gradually but you know lah, I am the type who just does it cold turkey!
DeleteHope u r getting better now. Dont force yourself too hard.
ReplyDeleteToday I am OK, no headache but with mild depression >.<
DeleteWhile working I used to drink 2 to 3 cups of coffee every day. When I retire, I stopped drinking coffee daily and I experienced all the same withdrawal symptoms you have mentioned plus sleepiness. At that time, I haven't totally withdraw from coffee but will only drink once in a while. So, when I had gastric or wind problem, I was told to stop drinking coffee and tea. This time there was no withdrawal symptom probably I was no longer addicted to coffee or tea.
ReplyDeleteWow! You were a coffee drinker too and also experienced withdrawal symptoms. Thanks so much for sharing this, at least I know I am not alone! As of today the headache is gone but I still have some mild depression/anxiety.
DeleteHope you won't get headaches from caffeine withdrawal anymore since it has been 3 days off coffee already. Gambatte! Jia you! 💪💪💪
ReplyDeleteThanks, no more headache but the mild depression/anxiety is still there. I believe it will go away soon.
DeleteI did not have a problem with coffee...nor cigarettes. I started smoking when I was 20 and 50 years later, I decided to stop, I just stopped! No withdrawal symptoms!
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful! I have heard of people having nicotine withdrawal when they quit smoking.
DeleteI'm a coffee addict too...and I usually drink two cups a day. Although I may skip drinking coffee some days and I feel something's not right when I do, I certainly don't experience caffeine withdrawal symptoms like depression, anxiety or headache. I guess I've not met anyone that is as sensitive as you when it comes to eliminating or not having certain foods in your daily diet to cause such drastic negative symptoms. Aiyak, only Day 2 and you've run foul of your Jan 2023 (100%) carnivore challenge by including vegetables in your bone broth...lol! ^_~
ReplyDeleteI certainly did not expect such symptoms haiz! Ah, I did not eat the vegetables, just used them as flavoring.
DeleteCaffeine addiction is like drug addiction, I believe the withdrawal process is not easy, I hope you can overcome the uneasy and discomfort feelings soon. Gambateh!
ReplyDeleteI am almost OK now, no more headache but mood still down a bit. It makes me look at coffee a bit differently now but I won't rule out drinking it again after 30 days. LOL!
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