COFFEE DRINKERS ADVICE NEEDED!

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  • I keep vanilla protein powder.mixed with water and use it like creamer in my coffee. also, there are sugar free coffee syrups (white chocolate, coconut, almond, blueberry cream, etc) . i get the syrup at specs liquor store, in the mixers section

    I too, mix my coffee with protein powder. I use a whole scoop of vanilla or chocolate and a cup of milk and then add coffee, mix it all together and call it breakfast.
  • Cheri_Moves
    Cheri_Moves Posts: 625 Member
    Oh my, same problem over here!!! But I look at it this way... I have still dropped a total of 73 pounds and it hasn't effected my fitness goals, probably only helped them! lol

    I have tried SO MANY alternatives to what I like. I spend $$$ and HATE IT. I love my almond joy creamer :drinker: :drinker:

    BUT- One thing I have done is substitute about 2/3 of it with fat free half and half. Cuts the ratio to 1-2 tbsp creamer/2-3 tbps ff 1/2... helped with the sugar and calorie issue.
  • Lisah8969
    Lisah8969 Posts: 1,247 Member
    I have 2 mugs of hot coffee first thing in the morning with some flavored, sugar free creamer that is 60 calories. My problem was the large iced coffee I would get around 9 AM with cream and flavored syrup (I looked it up once and it was something like 300+ calories). I started drinking Slim Fast in the morning and then just decided to get plain, black iced coffee and pour the Slim Fast in it. Still 190 calories, but gives flavor and a creaminess to the coffee for something I was going to drink anyway. And it lasts me all morning.
  • Good morning. I use splenda (2) and half and half (6) for 30 calories and it is worth it to make my day a success. When I drink decaf, I use only 10 calories.
  • knittermom07
    knittermom07 Posts: 94 Member
    I went to black coffee, it's my favorite way to drink it now. 0 calories... But if it is really necessary for you to drink your coffee with the additives in it then maybe do some pushups to kill the amount of calories you have taken in.
  • I love coffee.... I have it every day. I drink at least one cup every morning, and each cup contains: 3 packets of splenda and 2 tablespoons of land o lakes half n half (or kroger brand... whatever I grab). My FAVORITE is the international coffee natural bliss sweet cream creamer... there are 70 calories in 2 tbsps... but, it's worth it to me!! I don't drink pop, I don't drink tea, and I don't eat a lot of sugary stuff. if your one vice is coffee, then go with it :) It's better to indulge a little than to binge a lot because you're denying yourself that one thing you love.
  • MissyMissy18
    MissyMissy18 Posts: 315 Member
    i drink my coffee completely and totally black, just like my soul. no sugar, no cream, no sweeteners, nothing.

    i secretly think anyone who doesnt get their coffee this way is a ***** hehe.

    *coffee snob*

    well that's no longer a secret hehe
  • rchupka87
    rchupka87 Posts: 542 Member
    Someone suggested to me to put Vanilla Protein powder instead of my regular vanilla creamer. I must say - it wasn't as bad as I thought...
  • I am like you in that I need at least one (sometimes two) cup(s) of coffee a day and the rest of my liquids consumed are 100% water.

    I use the flavored creamers you get at the supermarket such as International Delight or Bailey's - these are usually about 35 calories per tablespoon and to me these are sweet enough that I don't need to use any sugar. I buy one for the week and keep it at work to pour into the coffee I make there - it's like a treat! I've tried to rationalize using something different with less calories like skim milk or cutting it coffee altogether, but it's non negotiable....I need my coffee the way I like it!! It's a mental thing for me. The calories are worth it and having it makes me happy :-)

    I would suggest trying a variety of these and see if there is any flavor that you really like enough where you wouldn't need the sugar/sweetener...you never know!
  • I use moo moos (half and half in a prepackaged little cup) The reason I do that is to keep track of ACTUAL calories instead of what I think I'm pouring in. That being said, coffee does curb my appetite, so I guess it's not too terrible to get calories that way.

    Caffeine also curbs my appetite! I want lunch WAY earlier if I don't have my morning coffee. I'm also a single parent, and full time student, so coffee is like a MUST haha!! I use an actual TBSP measurement to make sure I'm not just eyeballing it! The prepackaged creamers are a good idea though! Thank you :)
  • AnninStPaul
    AnninStPaul Posts: 1,372 Member
    First off - as an avid coffee drinker - 35 calories for good half and half and a teaspoon of sugar is SO WORTH IT. Eat a bite less at dinner.

    Second, I have to put cream and sugar in lousy coffee. But at home I have an espresso maker. With good ground coffee, it tastes great just black.

    Quality, not quantity.

    AGREED! I take mine black, with occasional cafe au lait splurges (1/2 coffee, 1/2 steamed milk).
  • LaurenJean724
    LaurenJean724 Posts: 1 Member
    Over time I managed to switch from creamer to milk, to skim milk, to black. I still put 1 splenda in it because I don't like the bitterness and am not ready for that yet, but I do get it down to zero calories (or whatever is in the coffee, 5 or whatever).


    ^ exactly! I now drink mine black.. It took about a year
  • iWaffle
    iWaffle Posts: 2,208 Member
    i drink my coffee completely and totally black, just like my soul.

    I like my coffee like I like my women, strong and bitter.:laugh:

    @ the OP...
    I just add a splash of half-half or drink it black. Just a couple cups a day we're only talking about 100 calories tops. My calorie goal is 2500 so it's not really a factor for me. Half the time I don't even log it. If you're at 1200 then it probably is a big deal. Be a coffee snob like me and use a burr grinder with fresh high quality coffee beans and you won't want any sweetener at all in the coffee.
  • islandnutshel
    islandnutshel Posts: 1,143 Member
    Same thing. I drink my coffee with lots of milk, usualy 1/2 of 1% milk in a XL MUG. So that's 50 calories right there. BUT I wouldn't have it any other way. Then there is my afternoon Mocha...... And then there is a glass of wine, or Gin and tonic before bed. But, I just make that decision as it comes. Sometimes I am not hungry enough to trade the liquid calories for solids.
  • Bassgirl51
    Bassgirl51 Posts: 117
    Try using a half pack or half serving of the Splenda. To me Splenda is sweeter than sugar and I only use half the serving. My coffee was WAY better after that little switch. I love my coffee!
  • zaph0d
    zaph0d Posts: 1,172 Member
    Upgrade to better coffee. Don't put any crap in it.
  • CoffeeNBooze
    CoffeeNBooze Posts: 966 Member
    I drink lots of coffee every day, you can trust me :P :) theres sugar free coffee mate, or what i was using before was non fat powdered creamer, at 10 cals a serving. I never counted it in my daily intake, it never made a difference....but that doesn't mean you shouldn't, just saying!
  • msacurrie
    msacurrie Posts: 144 Member
    I have cut back on the coffee since joining MFP. I still enjoy a cup or two most days, but not every day. I have bought low-fat creamer - it's only 25 calories for a tablespoon. I used to use 3 teaspoons of sugar, most days I cut back to two...I like it sweet haha!

    If you drink coffee on the go, ask for non-fat :)

    I recently discovered V8 Fusion + Energy...it has 80mg of caffeine compared to a cup of coffee which has 90mg. The caffeine comes naturally from green tea - but it also comes with nutrition from fruits and veggies. Only 50 calories! This is what I have been bringing to work instead of coffee as of this week :)
  • iysys
    iysys Posts: 524
    i drink my coffee with regular half and half (sometimes 2% milk) and raw sugar. it is only 80 calories and well worth every single one!
  • TraceAT
    TraceAT Posts: 54 Member
    I "waste" just 25 cals per mug on my coffee a day. I drink it without sugar or sweetener. I weaned my self off that years ago, a little at a time. Now I don't notice and prefer to taste the fuller flavour without, but with a 'little' semi skimmed milk.
    I can't wake up properly without a coffee first thing in the morning!
  • kokaneesailor
    kokaneesailor Posts: 337 Member
    I think the thing that worked for me was to wean myself off the sugar and cream. I went to whipped skim milk and agave. Then dropped the agave, then dropped the whipped milk.

    I only drink it black and espresso is the way to go. IMHO. :wink:

    I think it clocks in at 2 calories now.

    Best of luck:drinker:
  • Onesnap
    Onesnap Posts: 2,819 Member
    1 cup of coffee/day is great diabetes prevention and a fantastic source of antioxidants!
  • Kat5343
    Kat5343 Posts: 451 Member
    First off, I just have to put it out there... If you're a negative nancy (or negative nick) your comments are NOT welcome here. With that said....

    I am an avid coffee drinker. I really can't go a day without drinking a cup in the morning. I drink my coffee with creamer and sweetener. My favorite creamer/sweetener has 35 calories per 1 TBSP serving. I found some nonfat creamer that has 20 calories per a 2 TBSP serving. I also found some splenda flavored packages that are calorie free, though they don't taste very well.

    What kind of creamer, or creamer substitute do you put in your coffee? What kind of sweetener do you put in your coffee? How many calories a day do you waste on coffee?

    I take in 1200 calories a day, and my coffee can take up to 60 to 140 calories out of my day. Depending on what I put in it for the day. My only other beverage is typically water, so I don't typically drink any other calories besides my coffee. I'd just like to hear what other coffee drinkers do to lower their calorie intake, but also get their morning java!!

    Thank you in advance for all your input!! :)

    -Lexi


    I HAVE to have my coffee in the morning. I love love love iced coffee. I used to add York Peppermint Patty creamer to give it a 'Starbucks' flavor. Recently I have switched to adding a scoop of chocolate whey protein powder and a dash of peppermint extract, blend, and I have a fabulous iced peppermint mocha coffee every morning. 25 grams of protein and I save 200 calories a day!!!
  • Sox90716
    Sox90716 Posts: 976 Member
    10 cups a day, black, no cream or sugar.
  • i drink my coffee completely and totally black, just like my soul. no sugar, no cream, no sweeteners, nothing.

    i secretly think anyone who doesnt get their coffee this way is a ***** hehe.

    *coffee snob*

    HAHAHA!! So, not a secret anymore!! I'm totally okay being a coffee snob. I can NOT drink my coffee black. I don't like the bitterness to it. Serious kudos to you!!!
  • wolfpack77
    wolfpack77 Posts: 655
    I fast in the morning so I dont take in any calories before 1pm. But it doesnt stop me from having my coffee with a splash of half n half when I wake up. Its really not a big deal, you're talking very few calories.. not even enough to justify an insulin response. Its not even that serious, the benefits of having it far outweigh any impact to your diet. So enjoy your cup of joe in the morning and dont feel guilty about it!
  • angmarie28
    angmarie28 Posts: 2,878 Member
    I use splenda french vanilla flavor for coffee and 2 tbls of milk per cup
  • I started drinking Slim Fast in the morning and then just decided to get plain, black iced coffee and pour the Slim Fast in it. Still 190 calories, but gives flavor and a creaminess to the coffee for something I was going to drink anyway. And it lasts me all morning.

    ^ brilliant way to improvise and still have your iced coffee!! i may just try this :)
  • blu143
    blu143 Posts: 27
    Truvia for sweetner. And you can make your own creamer with milk and flavored extract.

    http://lifehacker.com/5907749/avoid-buying-expensive-coffee-creamer-by-using-milk-and-flavored-extract-instead

    I believe this will cut the fat and calories. Especially the SUGAR!
  • logicandlove
    logicandlove Posts: 191 Member
    Honestly, you're better off with actual cream or milk than most synthetic creamers, which my doctor once told me were essentially the equivalent of drinking plastic. Try training yourself to cut down on the sugar and just drink the coffee with a little bit of cream - I used to need lots of sweetener in my coffee, but now that I've gotten myself used to the taste of it, I enjoy it more like this! Plus, the calories you'll get from half and half are healthier than refined sugar.

    If you do need the sweetener, I really love xylitol - practically calorie free, natural instead of man made, and has no aftertaste like fake sweetener.