coffee strategy-- control your eating better

Drinking coffee really helps me control my hunger. Normally i don't drink it, but I was staying up a little later one night doing homework when the munchies hit. I decided to wait until I was done my coffee to go get food though, so by the time I was done I was really fairly satiated. I've done some more personal experimenting since then and even though I know this is not exactly a "secret" strategy, apparently I am very affected by coffee-- possibly because I don't already drink it regularly.

but really, it goes hand in hand with the "delay" tactic. That is... don't tell yourself you can't have a snack. Just DELAY the snack. Tell yourself you can have it in half an hour..an hour...whatever. often, by the time the snack is due, I have gotten over the craving and can end up saying "might as well just wait until dinner". However, using coffee WHILE delaying can significantly cut down on snacking altogether.. and it doesn't require such extreme willpower because you are getting at least a little satiated.

I do use cream in my coffee, so there are some calories there, but not as much as you would get from having a junky snack (usually what the cravings want).

I've also found that tough times call for tough measures. If you are really going crazy, give your craving a triple attack! This calls for a small/medium apple followed by a large coffee coupled with the delay tactic.

The purpose of this post was just to get people thinking about creative ways to manage your body and cravings. =)

I have noticed the same thing!  I always drink coffee to supress my huner!

Perhaps try using skim milk instead of cream?  If you need the flavor, try using splenda coffee flavoring.  I forget what they are called exactly, but it's basically 0 calorie sweetner that comes in flavors such as mocha and french vanilla.  I use 1-2 packs per cup of coffee & it makes it taste sooo good!

I do the same thing.  I credit coffee with a good portion of my weight loss.  A cup in the afternoon really keeps me from snacking.  Some folks will discourage you from indulging in caffeine, but that is the one vice I'm unwilling to give up - I don't drink, smoke, or overeat (anymore)- I'm going to drink coffee!

I find peppermint tea works just as well!!! And its caffeine-free

just be careful that you don't get hooked. My sister has had an ED before, and although she is up a little from her lowest point, she still has an un healthy relationship with food. She now drinks at least 10 cups of coffee a day to stave off her hunger. As long as you are getting other nutrients in and following a healthy diet then fine!

And is better for you

coffee-  Me too!  Slowly I weaned myself from cream to 2%,   then to skim.  It really wasn't hard.  Now, I'm trying a cup of green tea, and I use a smidgeon of splenda.  I keep splenda in a tupperware container with sprinkle holes and just give it a shake or two.  I'm probably using at most 1/4 teaspoon.  VERY satisfying!  I don't know if the green tea will live up to any of it's weight loss potential than the delay tactic.

I drink tea also and while it's very good to fill the stomach for a short time, it does not give me the same longer term effects that coffee does. Also I agree that you shouldn't use coffee to replace a nutritious diet... everyone should try to get in plenty of proteins from lean meats/dairy/beans and complex carbs from whole wheats and veggies. Fats most people usually don't have a problem with...;D

I am a coffee lover.  Starbucks is my favorite.  I agree that coffee stops the food cravings.  I sometimes skip meals which isn't good, but I have found that putting 1 espresso shot in my protein drink is a wonderful way to have a meal when you feel the "snack" time coming on. 

I have to step in and represent the anti-cream-hating guild. Half and half is not evil. It is a wonderful thing. If you pour half of your coffee cup full of skim milk, it tastes like nothing. One tiny splash of half and half makes your coffee so wonderful and rich tasting (because you are adding the milky flavor without diluting the coffee flavor as much), and it's only 20 cals for a tablespoon. Considering your post, 20 cals of very satisfying coffee trumps any snack you were thinking about having. You don't have to get it down to zero! (OP, i don't think that you thought that you had to, but any time a person admits they
eat something like sugar or full-fat anything, the CC chorus comes along "helping" everyone to taper off those last 6 calories they don't "have" to be eating).

CC People, I love you, but 20 calories is already nothing!! You don't have to make everything as low cal as possible! I am going to take out banner ads!

haha, that's true corduroyfirekills3. when I happen to have a large coffee (equal to about 2 or even 2.5 cups of liquid?) I will sometimes use up to 80 calories worth of cream. But I think its worth it because except for veggies, there is nothing else that will fill you up that much.... and unlike typical low cal foods, a creamy coffee can really be like a treat. most of the time its around 40 calories for a regular size.

I used to use skim milk thinking I was doing myself a favor saving calories... but it really didnt taste as good and I would end up wanting something truly bad for me. -shrug-

Don't know if anyone has tried Nestle's diet hot chocolate. It is 25 calories, sugar free, and can take away cravings also. It takes a little work to mix it up evenly, not sure why. But it stays clumpier longer but after you break them down and get it all mixed up it is a pretty good treat. You can even add lite cool whip on top with a drizzle of light or sugar free chocolate syrup....yummy!

I'm with you, corduroy. I have experimented with different fat free, sugar free versions of creamers and even drinking it black with splenda, but I was in the grocery store yesterday and they've released all the holiday flavors of coffeemate. I had to get the pumpkin spice. It's a lifestyle change, right? I don't know if I want to live the rest of my life kinda liking my morning coffee. And I was literally in heaven this morning when I had my coffee...it was sooooo good. Just a few extra calories, logged like the rest - completely worth it.

I do that with tea.  Green tea with peppermint has been working pretty well for me lately, but I think any type would work.  I'm not a fan of coffee, but it's the same principle I think. :)

I became about 40 pounds over weight in 05 when developing a terrible relationship with food and have been yo-yoing up and down 10 pounds ever since. I binge eat  a lot and though through therapy I've come to realize what's really behind it I still eat a little more than I should. When I drink coffee it keeps my appetite down and I can get things done, plus I'm starting to lose real weight finally :D

But two things: number one is the dependency- It scares me and I'm afraid once I stop drinking it I'll gain my old habits back

Number two- I've heard debates connecting breast cancer with caffiene and it worries me. Some people say a little is okay but some others say that though it doesn't cause breast cancer it may cause people to have lumpy breasts :O

Are there any long time coffee drinkers around that can reasure me on this one? I know these scientists are always changing they're minds but it still kind of freaks me out