Argh....I'm weak! Managed to get to day 3 again, just felt ill I couldn't stand the torture anymore!
With mineral absorption problem I usually wait at least an hour after a meal to drink tea/coffee, give the nutrients a chance to absorb, though it is said tea with its higher amount of tannins is worse than coffee at binding to iron, magnesium, zinc etc, but drinking tea between meals should solve the problem.
For me personally, despite knowing the many downsides of caffeine, its been harder to quit than both nicotine and alcohol. Quitting the alcohol and nicotine habit I simply replaced it with caffeine, from morning til night its the go to drink, water doesn't seem to cut it! I remember reading an article stating coffee and cigarette use are high amoung AA attendees.
If I'm feeling like a glutton for punishment again, next time I'll try and taper!