Quote from FuturesTrader71:
I would take a more holistic approach, much like Nihaba is talking about. Caffeine is the last thing you would want to take in while trading. It causes spikes and dips in your concentration.
If you really want to try a different approach, I would strongly suggest being asleep before 10 PM (10 to 2 is the most critical sleep time zone for cleansing and deepest rest). I would also suggest a quick 20 minute meditation, then 20 minutes of light or vigorous exercise (even if it is a couple of sets of pushups, situps and pullups) followed by a lukewarm shower. Breakfast should consist of less sugary/starchy foods. Avoid milk and cheese and go for something fresh like fresh fruit juice and more complex carbs. Eggs are great for their protein value. Try to consume organic foods whenever you can. Be sure to take something you can snack on in between meals. Nuts, fruit, food bar are good. Most importantly, drink A LOT of water throughout the day. Most of us are dehydrated and just don't know it. Dehydration causes fatigue and lack of proper metabolism. I like organic ginger tea by Yogi Tea. I am forced to take a lot of pee breaks and it breaks up the day. If you see anything but clearish water in the toilet when you go, then you are dehydrated. Caffeine has the effect of riding your body of much needed water (diuretic). Pretty much anything that you eat that is highly processed (refined anything, hydrogenated anything or vitamins) is going to have a negative by-product in your body. Most vitamins are not digestible in their pill form.
If I were you, I would look at how I feel when I wake up after sleep in the morning and why you need so much stimulation from coffee. I suspect that you are running on a massive sleep deficit (I know I am these days with the kids being as young as they are) and you are probably not eating well. If you don't exercise and can't get yourself to do it, then you can greatly benefit from a simple walk for 10 minutes. If you are in a cold climate, bundle up and just go outside and walk around for 5 minutes. This will provoke you to increase the time until you reach a level of benefit/comfort.
Your body is only made up of what you feed it. It doesn't get anything else to build its cells from. The statement "you are what you eat" is not born out of wit. It is the absolute truth. If you are dumping low octane fuel in your car, then don't expect it to survive long and perform well. Why do we think differently of our bodies?
Good luck.