Nutrition Diet: What Can I Substitute for Coffee in the Military Diet?

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

The military diet prescribes a very specific meal plan, but some substitutions are allowed. For those who need to know what can I substitute for coffee in the military diet, the most widely accepted alternatives are simple, unsweetened beverages like green tea and herbal tea.

Quick Summary

This guide explores approved coffee alternatives for the military diet, including green tea and herbal options, while explaining which substitutes are off-limits due to the plan's strict rules. It also details the diet's specific guidelines regarding caffeine and artificial sweeteners.

Key Points

Green and Herbal Tea are Approved: For those who cannot drink coffee on the military diet, unsweetened green tea or herbal tea are the most common and safest substitutions.
Caffeine-Free Options are Available: If you are sensitive to caffeine, opt for herbal tea to avoid any negative effects associated with stimulants and low calorie intake.
No Sugar or Creamer: The most important rule for any beverage substitute is to avoid adding cream, sugar, or high-calorie sweeteners. Only stevia is an approved sweetener.
Match Calorie Content: The core principle of military diet substitutions is matching the calorie count. Since black coffee is zero-calorie, your replacement should be as well.
Use Caution with Other Alternatives: While some sources mention sugar-free hot chocolate or energy drinks, stick to green or herbal tea for the most reliable and approved substitution.
Black Tea is Also an Option: Like black coffee, plain black tea without any additions is an acceptable part of the diet.

Approved Alternatives for Your Morning Brew

For many, a morning cup of coffee is a non-negotiable ritual, but the military diet has very specific rules about what can be consumed. The diet allows for black coffee or black tea, but with no cream, sugar, or other additives. This is crucial for maintaining the diet's low-calorie regimen. For those who cannot drink coffee for personal or dietary reasons, the good news is that several zero-calorie substitutions are permitted. The most common and recommended alternatives are green tea and herbal tea.

The Role of Caffeine in the Military Diet

The military diet plan often includes caffeine, particularly in coffee and tea, to help boost metabolism and provide energy during the low-calorie days. However, the diet acknowledges that not everyone tolerates caffeine well. This is where substitutions are key. Whether you opt for a caffeinated or non-caffeinated alternative, the core principle is to avoid adding calories from milk, sugar, or other sweeteners. The only acceptable sweetener, if needed, is stevia.

Official Substitutions for Coffee and Tea

When replacing coffee, it is important to choose alternatives that align with the diet's calorie-restrictive and chemical-balancing philosophy. Here are the officially approved options:

Green Tea: This is a direct and popular replacement for coffee, offering a moderate amount of caffeine and beneficial antioxidants. It should be unsweetened. Green tea helps maintain the caffeine kick many coffee drinkers rely on without adding any calories.
Herbal Tea: For those seeking a caffeine-free option, herbal tea is the perfect choice. Varieties like chamomile, peppermint, or ginger tea can provide a comforting, hot beverage without interfering with the diet's protocols. Just remember to stick with stevia if a sweetener is necessary.
Sugar-Free Hot Chocolate: For those who need a caffeine boost but dislike tea, some versions of the military diet allow sugar-free hot chocolate. However, this is a less common recommendation and should be checked carefully to ensure it's truly zero-calorie and contains no artificial sweeteners other than stevia. Some versions, like sugar-free Red Bull, are also listed as a caffeinated option, but are less natural.

Comparison of Coffee Alternatives


Beverage	Caffeine Content	Notes	Suitability for Military Diet
Black Coffee	High (~95 mg)	Must be consumed black, no sugar or creamer.	Excellent, as per diet guidelines.
Black Tea	Medium (~48 mg)	Must be consumed black, no sugar or creamer.	Excellent, as per diet guidelines.
Green Tea	Medium (~32 mg)	Recommended unsweetened substitution.	Excellent, a very popular substitution.
Herbal Tea	None (0 mg)	Recommended caffeine-free option.	Excellent, ideal for avoiding caffeine.
Sugar-Free Hot Chocolate	Low (variable)	Can be a caffeinated option, but check calories carefully.	Accepted, but with caution.
Chicory Coffee	None (0 mg)	Tastes similar to coffee; rich in inulin fiber.	Suitable, provided it's unsweetened.
Yerba Mate	High (~80 mg)	Caffeinated herbal tea; can have a smoky flavor.	Suitable, if unsweetened and mindful of caffeine levels.

Understanding the 'Why' Behind the Substitutions

The military diet is structured around a specific, low-calorie intake for three days. Every food and beverage choice is intended to contribute to this short-term approach to weight loss. When substitutions are made, they must be done to match the nutritional and caloric profile of the original item as closely as possible. This is why simple, low-calorie beverages are the only approved alternatives for coffee. The diet's strict nature means that adding calorie-dense or sweetened beverages would disrupt the intended metabolic effect.

Important Considerations for Substitutions

When choosing your coffee replacement, keep these points in mind:

Calorie-Matching is Key: If you are making any substitution on the military diet, the goal is always to match the calorie count of the original item. For zero-calorie items like black coffee, this is easy to do with green or herbal tea, as they also have zero calories.
Avoid Unauthorized Sweeteners: The diet explicitly prohibits sugar, honey, and most artificial sweeteners. Only stevia is an approved option. This is critical for maintaining the low-calorie intake.
Listen to Your Body: If you are sensitive to caffeine, switching to an herbal tea is the best option to avoid the jitters or other adverse effects that could be exacerbated by low food intake.

Conclusion

For those on the military diet seeking a coffee substitute, the best options are straightforward and simple. Unsweetened green tea and herbal tea are the most widely recommended and approved choices, staying true to the diet's low-calorie, no-sugar principles. While other caffeinated options like sugar-free hot chocolate or certain energy drinks are mentioned, they should be used with caution, if at all, and only when adhering to the strict no-calorie-adder rules. By sticking to these guidelines, dieters can successfully navigate the three-day plan without their usual cup of joe.

For more information on general substitutions within the military diet, consult reliable health resources like Medical News Today for detailed lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can have decaf black coffee. The military diet allows for both regular and caffeine-free versions of coffee, as long as no cream, sugar, or other calorie-adding ingredients are used.

No, you cannot add milk or sugar. The military diet is very strict about consuming only black, unsweetened coffee or tea. This rule extends to all beverage substitutions to keep the calorie count low.

Herbal tea is the best caffeine-free alternative to coffee on the military diet. It provides a warm beverage without caffeine, which can be beneficial if you are sensitive to stimulants.

Some sources mention sugar-free energy drinks or sugar-free hot chocolate as possible caffeinated options, but these are less recommended. Green tea is the more natural and widely accepted caffeinated alternative.

The diet claims grapefruit helps with fat burning by creating an alkaline environment. You can substitute half a teaspoon of baking soda in water for the same purported effect if you don't like or can't consume grapefruit, but this is a specific dietary instruction for that item, not for coffee.

Kombucha is not an approved substitute on the military diet. The fermentation process often involves sugar, and it can contain calories that are not part of the approved plan. It's best to stick to zero-calorie options like black coffee, green tea, or herbal tea.

Adding a squeeze of lemon to your herbal tea is generally acceptable, as it is a zero-calorie addition. However, always ensure no sugar or artificial sweeteners are added with it.