A latte a day?????

doobabe

Im looking for both sides of the coin on this one.......... and I know thats exactly what I'll get. I've done minimal research, but know both people who swear that "coffee" is good, and those who would dissagree. I do know theres a difference between "coffee" and a "latte", but my question is this................

Has anyone become addicted to the caffiene and/or had other issues with regular consumption? Also, do you feel like the more you drink, the more you need?

Anyone swear by it? Why?

randomtai

I drink coffee everyday.. I am still alive

HealthyWarrior

Personally I drink one cup of coffee a day for breakfast. It keeps me from getting a daily headache. Maybe its all in my head but I've been doing it for years. If I skip my one cup of coffee I usually end up with a headache. But that's just me.

blackcoffeeandcherrypie

Previously I would have told you that I had a latte addiction. However since I quit sugar I can now simply drink coffee with steamed milk for pleasure, I don't need it, I neither think it's good for me nor bad, it's just a warm drink with not many calories that I enjoy. It's funny how many things I thought I was addicted to, but actually it was just the sugar I wanted.

LittleMissDover

Personally I drink one cup of coffee a day for breakfast. It keeps me from getting a daily headache. Maybe its all in my head but I've been doing it for years. If I skip my one cup of coffee I usually end up with a headache. But that's just me.

The coffee causes the headache. Not having the coffee means caffeine withdrawal. If you gave it up for more than a few days the headache would go.

I don't smoke, coffee is my vice, I'm not giving it up!

drmerc

As long as you stay in your calorie/macro goals go for it!

zaph0d

I have 2-3 coffees a day. I have lattes almost never. I just don't like frothy milk in my coffee. If the milk fits in your macros, then there is no issue. As far as the caffeine, everybody reacts differently. My father can drink coffee and go straight to bed afterwards.

siggakolla

I drink coffee "drinks" so Mocha and stuff like that. and only once in a while if im going out to see a friend or something.
i had a few days at my old job where i was really tired all the time and i thought i should have some coffee to try to wake me up, after my 6th trip to the toilet to pee i figured out that coffee wasnt the drink for me!

Polly758

Has anyone become addicted to the caffiene and/or had other issues with regular consumption? Also, do you feel like the more you drink, the more you need?

Anyone swear by it? Why?

I used to drink a ton of coffee and didn't have a constipation problem. Although now that I think about it, I used to have the opposite problem...

I quit because yes, the more I drank the more I needed. In fact, I was drinking more and more (by putting more scoops of grounds in each cup) and it was not perking me up anymore.

When I quit, I had the withdrawal headache, more like a migrane. Just one, though, and tylenol killed it. Then I pretty much slept for a week and I'm recovered.

MariaLivingFit

I love the taste of coffee - so I'll even drink decaf if needed.

I thought I was "addicted" but I managed to go through 2 pregnancies without any coffee and had 0 issues.

I'm sure if affects everyone differently, but for me it didn't seem to be an issue to not drink it when I couldn't have it.

RunsOnEspresso

I love a good cup of coffee or latte or espresso but sometimes it does not love me back. It sometimes just doesn't sit well in my stomach. I've been drinking green tea this week for that reason. Its not the same.

secretlobster

I drink coffee every day. But I have to keep it simple; coffee or iced coffee with a splash of milk, no sugar. A latte every day would add up too many calories for me. A latte should really be a treat, not a daily staple. Regardless, the only issue with the caffeine I've had is a brief (2-3 week) period of anxiety, specifically at night. I had to cut out all caffeine, I recovered from it, now I'm back to drinking only ONE cup of coffee a day without symptoms (yet). If they do come back, I'll have to cut the caffeine consumption again.

But yeah in terms of calories, I just don't go for high-calorie coffee drinks.

Polly758

Oh and try decaf, it's a nice calorie-free drink (okay like 4 calories). Still a tiny bit of caffeine but not a big deal.

byHISstrength

I think an addiction to anything is not a good thing. If not having something or not doing something affects your mood and how your treat others (in a bad way), well I just don't think that's good.

I personally don't think there's anything wrong with having coffee. I have a cup every morning and have no intention of giving it up. If you think you use too much sugar or cream maybe you can cut back, but eating healthy shouldn't be so legalistic. But that's just me.

I do love lattes...ummm.

soleilxo

mmmmm lattee i have lattes and cappuccino's all the time and I never not let myself have one (IF only my calories are too high), because the milk gives you calcium so good for your bones:) soo i dont care:) and a bit of caffeine or a coffee a day has been proved to have health/psychological benefits:) in my opinion, more people should either 1.have some sort of caffeine or, 2. drink more because it makes them nicer lollll

alpine1994

I drink a medium coffee from dunkin donuts 5 days a week, and 1 cup at home on the weekends. I know if I don't have it I get headaches, and eventually they would go away if I stopped drinking it completely, but I like it. It's just my morning ritual.

AbacoRaveness

I can take it or leave it. Most days I have one of those big travel mugs of coffee. It's regular, fully loaded coffee, with Splenda, and some creamer. On the days that I don't have it, I don't miss it, but it makes me happy so I don't pass it up often.

The lattes that you get at say... Starbucks... can have a really high sugar/calorie content. If you go with the "skinny" version (low fat milk, low sugar syrups etc.) then its no big deal. They have a skinny vanilla latte that is delish and only 90 calories in a tall.

Both the sugar and the caffeine can be addictive, but everything in moderation right?

jillleanne

My first two years of University I was drinking at LEAST 3-4 cups a day. Usually just black coffee, once in a while I'd splurge on something fancy (like a latte). But every summer, once school wound down I went through withdrawal. Migraines everyday, and just general fatigue and weakness. But come September I was back at it haha.

I can't drink coffee anymore (had a weird heart arrhythmia develop, whick gets exaggerated with even the smallest amount of coffee), so I've switched to green and black tea. I wouldn't say there's any health risk to drinking coffee, unless its in excess (as I was likely drinking), and honestly as far as I'm aware there hasn't been any valid research to prove that there is a health risk to drinking it on occasion.

Four_Leaf_Clover

I regularly enjoy coffee and lattes - for their deliciousness, some caffeine, and a little dairy (protein from the milk is not bad). I drink about one each day during the week.

Everything in moderation. If I have 2 coffees in one day - it's too much - I am a little to jazzed up and sometimes have trouble sleeping (I also tend toward Starbucks which is very high octane caffeine wise).

FitLink

Im looking for both sides of the coin on this one.......... and I know thats exactly what I'll get. I've done minimal research, but know both people who swear that "coffee" is good, and those who would dissagree. I do know theres a difference between "coffee" and a "latte", but my question is this................

Has anyone become addicted to the caffiene and/or had other issues with regular consumption? Also, do you feel like the more you drink, the more you need?

Anyone swear by it? Why?

There's good, peer-reviewed evidence that a cup of coffee a day is good for the cardiovascular system--better than no coffee. And caffeine is addictive. Lots of things are addictive. Living indoors is meets the definition (that withdrawal causes distress) and a LOT of us are addicted to that. Indoor plumbing. Addiction is only a problem when it interferes with your quality of life. If a cup of coffee a day keeps you happy, have one. It's the stuff you add to the coffee that causes problems like weight, not a moderate coffee intake.

BogQueen1

I LOVE coffee. I could drink coffee all the time if it wasn't for... you know... having to sleep at night and silly things like that. I like coffee with milk, lattes, espresso, americano's. I just try really hard to limit the sugar in them. Coffee is good for you, no doubt. Drink up! Just watch your caloriesa and try to stop by like 2 in the afternoon lol.

LupaNera

One caffe-latte (around 200 ml of milk) in the morning and one or two expresso here (macchiato), one after lunch and one later. No sugar. But I don't use any creamer etc, just plain milk. I just cannot start my day without coffee and milk for brekfast.
And still doing ok.

FitLink

I think an addiction to anything is not a good thing. If not having something or not doing something affects your mood and how your treat others (in a bad way), well I just don't think that's good.

I personally don't think there's anything wrong with having coffee. I have a cup every morning and have no intention of giving it up. If you think you use too much sugar or cream maybe you can cut back, but eating healthy shouldn't be so legalistic. But that's just me.

I do love lattes...ummm.

Addiction isn't a good or bad thing--it's just a thing. We all--every one of us--are addicted to many, many, many things. As long as it doesn't diminish your quality of life, it's value-free. I'm addicted to indoor plumbing, since the definition of addiction is that it causes distress if it's withdrawn, but I have no plans to eliminate that addiction. It's not a problem in my life.

jeme3

Latest research suggest coffee has a protective effect against Alzheimer's, and coffee has more anti-oxidants than any other food source. Try as they might, no one has been able to definitively prove coffee is bad for you.

Of course, once you load it with milk fat and sugar, some problems arise.

Caffeine may have some negative health consequences if it prevents you from getting a good night's sleep, or if it causes heart palpitations and you have heart problems.

But coffee it's self isn't bad for you, and may even be good for you.

I drink a couple cups a day, stopping by noon, because I like the jump start in the morning and I like the taste. I put fat free milk in mine, mostly because it cools the coffee enough I won't scald my mouth on the first couple sips.

If you like coffee, drink it (in moderation), but there is really no need to think of it as a vice to be given up. It's not causing harm.

And if you want your coffee in latte form, and the calories fit, go for it.

mfpcopine

I have a skim milk Venti latte several times a week. It's a shot or two of espresso with lots of steamed milk. Incidentally, espresso has less caffeine in it than regular American coffee.

I don't find that I have an increasing need for more caffeine in the morning. If I don't have coffee or espresso I do feel slightly out of it. Coffee is a stimulant. In moderate quantities, it's believed to be healthy.

elleloch

Coffee is actually not bad for you. Like actual black coffee - not lattes and mochas and cappuccinos and stuff like that which are full of sugar and omg who knows what else.

I saw a news story recently that coffee, when you drink a cup or two every day, is actually very beneficial to you in the long run in terms of your longevity and quality of life. It's when you drink 3, 4 or more cups a day where you can run into trouble. So it's finding that delicate balance. No real calories to speak of in coffee, either.

I drink coffee every morning - usually a cup and a half to two cups. No sugar or creamer just a splash of almond milk.

ETA - I should add that I will totally treat myself to one of those fancy coffee drinks once in a while White chocolate mocha is my favorite when I'm having a ****it day, lol. And of course - tis the season for pumpkin spice lattes! I haven't had one yet.

_AllieCat_

I drink my coffee iced with one cup of soy, flax, almond, or coconut milk in it. It's about as healthy as coffee gets. No sugar, no dairy.
I only drink one cup, and very rarely will I drink a 2nd on a day. I don't think it's bad for you. What most people add to it, yes that is the bad.

AllonsYtotheTardis

I have a latte every day (cappuccino actually). Frequently 2 a day. The milk fits my macros, and I would probably drink the milk on it's own otherwise. I could give it up if I had to, but I would be sad - I like it.

It's my only vice, it doesn't hurt anyone, it's not hurting me, I don't intend to give it up.

ademiter

I LOVE mochas and lattes! I make my own version in the mornings (16 oz) of a lowfat/lower cal mocha. I do this every morning! I look forward to it actually!! It makes getting up early so much easier for me, LOL! Then, on occasion, I have gone after lunch to Starbucks to indulge again in a salted caramel mocha. The nonfat/no whip mochas are a lot lower in fat/calories. I just find myself to be more productive with having coffee in the morning, and at other times of the day, it's just a WANT, not a need. I definitely don't plan on giving it up! I'd drink more each day if I could!

sweetteacher123

Research actually has shown that there is some increase in athletic performance from caffeine intake before athletic activities. However, the research implies that one-two cups is beneficial, but seven or more doesn't help more. Actually, if you do not have other health issues, the consumption of coffee is not harmful. Is it addictive, maybe? Can people get withdrawls from suddenly not having caffiene (from coffee or other sources)? Yes. What can make coffee unhealthy (if you are generally healthy), is the adding of fats and sugars in drinks. There are healthy versions of these drinks though. I mostly think people like coffee for the idea of having coffee! I love a hot drink in the morning, but I can rotate between coffee or hot tea. It makes me happy and feels like a comforting way to start a day.

RobynC79

Coffee is great! Yes, it's mildly addictive but generally it's the people around you who suffer the most when you don't get you fix anyway, so who cares?? (joking....)

I have a latte and between several to 6 cups of black coffee per day. It might be a little excessive but I've been doing that for >10 years now.

Caffeine has a mildly relaxing effect on smooth muscle - this makes it good for headaches and migraines (if your migraines come from constricted blood vessels), and good for 'regularity', since the bowel is lined with smooth muscle and relaxing the muscle can help with 'going' (so. many. euphemisms!). It's not so good for people with high anxiety and it can cause racing heartbeats in excess.

I think for most people it's harmless, for some it's beneficial and for some it's not so good. If you haven't noticed any ill effects so far, I think you have nothing to worry about.