I will be two weeks out from surgery tomorrow. So far, food hasn't been too much of a challenge for me. However, perhaps in part from the surgery but also in part because of the season I am always cold so really wanting a lot of Hot drinks. Since pumpkin spice lattes are out of the question (obviously!... but darn... I do regret not having one before surgery) and I am ready for a change from my herbal tea stash (mostly peppermint, chamomile, and a few herbal blends) I thought I would see if the hive mind has any ideas for sugar free and caffeine free hot beverages. Thanks in advance!

Sugar free hot apple cider is my go to right now.

I love apple cider! Brilliant!

@anwen_ut You most certainly CAN have your warm "pumpkin spice" tastiness and get 20+ grams of Protein in at the same time! I just received my pumpkin pie Inspire Protein powder in the mail Friday and had this delicious treat as my Breakfast Saturday morning. You can order this and other flavors from their website, bariatriceating.com. I've copied the exact recipe for you:

How to turn INSPIRE Pure whey Isolate Protein Drink Mix flavors into a mug of warm goodness!

1. Place scoop of protein into a clean dry mug

2. Add about two tablespoons of tap Water and blend with spoon into smooth paste – allow to rest 30 seconds if needed

3. Slowly add hot, but NOT boiling liquid into your paste while blending

While it may seem ‘faster’ for you to blend it all up and microwave it, if you boil your drink once protein has been added, you will get a drink that is grainy rather than smooth.

Tip 1. Use CoffeeMate sugar free Liquid Creamer instead of tap water in step 2.

Tip 2. Fill mug with about a cup (or to taste) of hot coffee instead of water.

Tip 3. Use Almond Breeze Unsweetened vanilla or chocolate or Coconut Almond Milk instead of water.

Tip 4. Add a small swirl of Land O Lakes Sugar Free Whipped Cream to kick your warm protein drink up a notch for an occasional treat.

Another way I like to get a warm (protein packed) drink in is to mix chocolate Premier Protein (ready-to-drink) into my decafe coffee for a decadent hot chocolate. I use the vanilla Premier protein drink in my decafe coffee (as creamer) with English toffee or Pumpkin Spice liquid Stevia. It tastes like a Starbucks latte! SweetLeaf makes several flavors of their liquid Stevia and it only takes a few drops to completely change any beverage, hot or cold. Hope this gives you some tasty ideas on how to warm up this season

I just had a hot peppermint mocha

1 vanilla premier Protein shake

3/4 tablespoon of unsweet Hershey cocoa

Heat in microwave

Mix in instant decaf coffee (serving size based on #ounce of liquid) and

Peppermint extract

Very yummy

Problem is I can't drink it fast enough while its warm

I like Protein hot chocolate. I think the brand I have is ProtiDiet.

I also like Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice tea. There is a regular and a decaf version.