Yes Coffee or no Coffee???

I am new to calorie count and wanting to develop a healthy eating habit. I need to lose around 70lbs. I am basing my eating around the 10 superfoods. I have weened myself off coffee. But it was about the only vice I had. I am hearing conflicting stories about coffee. Some say it is good. High in anti oxidents, caffines good for weight loss. Others say its best not to drink it. I am very happy to start drinking it again if its good for me

Your comments would be appreciated!!!

Many thanks

Helen

If you enjoy a cup of coffee it's good for you.....  no point making life miserable, is there?   A cup or two a day is fine.  Obviously, if you add lots of cream and sugar you'd need to account for the calories but it's not going to help or harm your weight-loss otherwise.

Anything's bad if you have too much of the stuff, superfood or not. A cup of joe in moderation is always good. Not depriving yourself is also good for a diet since it, for starters, won't feel like a diet.

One cup every morning is good (just make sure it's the right kind and not a latte or sugar-laden instant coffee). I like mine with no cream and a teaspoon of coconut sugar— black as the devil, sweet as a stolen kiss, and about 20 calories total. ;D

Mmmm, coffee. I used to drink it with cream and sugar. I now have it with skim milk and splenda. Yes, the taste is not as good but you get used to it. I actually quite like it now. I also have some decaf coffee sometimes to lower my caffeine intake. Seems like we have to modify a few different things when we're trying to eat/drink better. Gotta think about the greater good.

Original Post by canadafats:

Mmmm, coffee.

Exactly what I was going to say.

I have one thermos-ful in the morning. If I drink it too late in the day, it keeps me wired. Skim milk and splenda.

Coffee works for me because if I didn't have it I feel like I'd have a bigger breakfast. I used to take mine with cream and sugar, but have weened myself to just milk now. It was too sweet with all that sugar anyway. I have read that a coffee before working out early in the morning can give you an extra little boost... but I'm not sure if that's true. I only get one after I work out, just because I feel weird about drinking things other than water when I'm about to sweat a ton.

I use to drink my coffee with a little milk and a touch of sugar.

Then I got use to drinking it black in the mornings I would stay at my boyfriend’s house.

They never had anything in there fridge or cupboards. 3 Bachelor living together. They always ordered out for like every meal pretty much.

After a little while of drinking it black, I couldn't go back to having milk and sugar in it. It just tasted 2 sweet and creamy.

I do enjoy some bitter drinks I guess though. Love those IPA's :)

Original Post by helen_58:

I am basing my eating around the 10 superfoods.

Just curious. What are the 10 superfoods?

Yes black coffee ROCKS!

~H~

Yes, Yes, Black Coffee, YES, YES, Yes, and Yes.

there are so many conflicting reports on the health effects of coffee, good, bad or indifferent that a few cups a day probably ain't going to hurt you unless you are very sensitive to caffiene.

Drinking it in moderation is fine :).  I have a cup-o-joe almost every morning during my work week.  I've never liked sugar in my coffee so I either take it black or with SF creamer.

Original Post by rwnorth:

there are so many conflicting reports on the health effects of coffee, good, bad or indifferent that a few cups a day probably ain't going to hurt you unless you are very sensitive to caffiene.

 I'm pretty fuzzy on the details, but I heard an interview with John Berardi a while ago where he made the argument that the reason there are so many conflicting reports on whether coffee was good/bad is because it's good for some people and not good for other people. 

Apparently there is some hormone/chemical/something that is produced by the liver/kidneys/some other organ.  Some people make a lot of it and some people don't and how much of it you produce determines whether you get a net health benefit or not from drinking coffee.

I agree with everyone else.  In moderation it's fine.  Just be sure to drink plenty of water so you don't get dehydrated and to also account for the calories from the creamer/sugar.

MMM... coffee... having one right now! shot of espresso, 7 oz of plain soy milk and fat free coffee mate french vanilla. Heaven.

I would certainly not list coffee as one of the things I HAVE to give up in order to lose the weight. I would be miserable if I had to give it up! so if you're like me and enjoy your one cup of coffee a day then by all means, have your cup of coffee. Just like everyone else said, just watch what you put in it.

remember coffee contains caffeine, a diuretic.  So account for that as well in regards to water consumption.

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Original Post by canadafats:

Mmmm, coffee.

Exactly what I was going to say.

I have one thermos-ful in the morning. If I drink it too late in the day, it keeps me wired. Skim milk and splenda.

mm mm coffee indeed! ..minus the skim milk and heavy on the splenda/stevia

I'm 16 lbs down (in 4 months) and have had 11-15 oz of coffee every day, with splenda and 1 oz of half and half. It's worth the 45-or-so calories for me, helps me get through dull classes, and just feels luxurious. I think I've had one whole milk no whip mocha each month... at something like 300 calories, I know they're the daily habit that put me at my top weight in the first place!

I love coffee.

I have 90 pounds to lose... and today I am down 30 in 3 months time.  I drink lots and lots of coffee.  I just don't put anything in it, and if I do, I make sure to add it to my calories for the day.

Every pill on the market for weightloss is pretty much caffine... it boosts the metabolism and reduces hunger(moderately)

Coffee gives you plenty of water as well!

Yes, coffee does count was water intake!  Anything to the contrary is a myth...

I drink coffee with almond milk in it.  Coffee is not what's stalled my weight loss...too many chocolate bars and not enough exercise is.

According to the Mayo Clinic, here's what researchers have found:

• Caffeine may act as an appetite suppressant. However, while studies have shown that some people eat less after consuming caffeine, this effect is brief — not long enough to lead to significant weight loss.
• Caffeine may increase your body's ability to burn calories. Caffeine is thought to stimulate thermogenesis — one way your body generates heat and energy from digesting food. However, caffeine's role in thermogenesis probably isn't enough to result in significant weight loss.
• Caffeine acts as a diuretic, which means it causes an increase in the amount of urine you excrete. This water loss may temporarily decrease your body weight.

A few studies indicate that caffeine may slightly enhance weight loss in people who exercise and maintain a low-fat diet. But there's no evidence that increased caffeine intake results in significant or permanent weight loss.  It's important to keep in mind that caffeine is a stimulant that can increase your heart rate and blood pressure, interrupt your sleep, and cause nervousness and irritability. Also, many caffeinated beverages are high in calories, which can contribute to unwanted weight gain. 

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Here's another reference you should check out for additional information:

http://mayoclinic.com/health/caffeine/NU00600

Please keep in mind that if you have high blood pressure that the intake of caffeine does not help. That is not only coffee but tea and chocolate.

You should consult your doctor if this is your condition.

I sometimes like to have my coffee in the afternoon. its usually coffee from the machine at work (its a gevalia machine, mmmm). I have an 8 oz coffee and add 2 coffee mate creamer tubs which are 15 cals each and 2 sugar packets which are 10 cals each. I limit myself to 1 cup a day so I dont over do it.