So what's the "rule" on caffeine?

Flippy44
Flippy44 Posts: 77
edited September 21 in Food and Nutrition
Ok - so I know caffeine boosts your heart rate and metabolism. I also know there are studies which show ingesting caffeine right before a workout can increase the efficiency of your workout. Buuuut (there's always a but) caffeine is also a diuretic and thus pulls water out of the body. That can lead to water retention and other general badness. :tongue:

So - what is the rule (while dieting) on how much caffeine we can/should have in a day? Or how about how much vs. water? I admit - until I had my LO a few months ago I was fine without it - but now coffee helps get me through those days that follow sleepless nights!! :blushing:

Replies

  • LainMac
    LainMac Posts: 412 Member
    I'm not a doctor nor do I play one on TV, but I think moderation is the key. I only enjoy coffee with whole or 2 percent milk. So two mugs of coffee are an 80 calorie hit for me.

    I have the coffee first thing in the morning but generally don't have more later in the day. So enjoy a mug or two and drink a tad more regular water to make up for any diuretic effect the coffee has.
  • aippolito1
    aippolito1 Posts: 4,894 Member
    I stopped drinking coffee because just one cup every morning made me more tired than before drinking it...made me lazy and sleepy. I also cut out sodas early on into my lifestyle change and I seem to have more energy. I think it's really up to you... I cut out soda mainly because of the high fructose corn syrup and the fact that it's empty calories but I think if you're taking in a little caffeine, it won't kill you. You could try a healthier alternative such as a sugar-free natural green tea (or just a diet green tea) or regular tea.
  • trainguy917
    trainguy917 Posts: 366 Member
    To me there is but one rule: the only thing better than a cup of coffee is another cup of coffee!
  • Flippy44
    Flippy44 Posts: 77
    To me there is but one rule: the only thing better than a cup of coffee is another cup of coffee!

    Yeah that's kinda where I'm headed!! :drinker: I don't put anything in mine save for one pump of syrup so its only 15 cals a cup. Not too worried there. Just worried more about the lack of water. I'm drinking coffee instead of water a good part of the day. :noway:

    ETA: And I don't drink soda. Pretty much just coffee, water, or low sodium V8.
  • mbeuchert24
    mbeuchert24 Posts: 204 Member
    To me there is but one rule: the only thing better than a cup of coffee is another cup of coffee!

    Ha ha, I like that rule!

    Kristi you are already doing better than me LOL. I drink too much soda, but I also have a hard time cutting back. I do drink my coffee black so at least I don't have the xtra calories from cream and/or sugar.
  • LeahSylina
    LeahSylina Posts: 40
    Kristi, I can't live without my morning cup, either. I decided I could get away with one cup a day. It's more than 15 calories for me though. I put a whole tablespoon of sugar in it because I can't drink coffee unless it's sweet (you don't want to know how much sugar was in it before...) and I put in one tablespoon of a flavored coffee creamer. Right now it's some belgan chocolate thing. So a cup for me is a good amount of calories, I have to admit. :blushing:

    I don't drink any soda during the day because I don't like soda and lately I'm not drinking any juice either. I'm working hard at getting my 8 cups a day (more if I can manage it!) of water so that doesn't leave room for anything else.
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