Ask the Expert: How much caffeine does tea have compared to coffee?

Q. What is the difference between wheat and gluten? If you are allergic to wheat should you also avoid gluten?

A. Wheat is a type of grain. Gluten is a protein component of some grains, including wheat, rye, oats, and barley. If you’re allergic to wheat you need to avoid wheat gluten, but not all gluten. However, if a product indicates it contains gluten, and you’re unsure of the source of the gluten, then you should NOT eat it until you find out all the facts.

Q. How much caffeine does tea have compared to coffee? Compared to chocolate? Is it really that bad for you?

A. Check out this chart based on average caffeine contents:

Food/Beverage - Caffeine (mg)
Coffee, brewed, drip method (8-ounce) - 184
Tea, brewed, major U.S. brands (8-ounce) - 64
Dark Chocolate, semi-sweet (1-ounce) - 20
Cocoa beverage (8-ounce) - 8

There are "bad" diets, but not "bad" foods or beverages. Foods or beverages with caffeine are not "bad", but too much caffeinated foods or beverages can contribute to a poor overall diet. Caffeine is not addictive, but it can have some temporary side-effects if you consume it in excess. These side effects may include anxiety, insomnia, fluid loss, and increased heart rate. If you’re a healthy adult, you should be able to consume caffeine without negative effects, as long as you do so in moderation—200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine a day. That means you can drink less than two cups of coffee a day.

Q. I am always shuttling my kids between their events. We often use the drive-thru window at a fast food restaurant because it’s easy and quick. What can I order that would be more healthful?

A. Focus first on the main course. Remember less is more – meaning the less add-ons such as sauces and cheese the more healthful your selections probably will be. Stick with charbroiled, roasted types of sandwiches. Forget the full-meal deals and order regular-sized portions – split an order of fries amongst the carload of kids and choose beverages that count nutritionally such as low-fat milk, orange juice or water. Some restaurants offer salads. Try those that contain primarily vegetables and use only half of the dressing in the packet provided. Round out the meal by bringing portable produce from home such as apples, bananas, baby carrots or grapes.