Caffeine and weight loss

supaflyrobby
supaflyrobby Posts: 42
in Food and Nutrition
I am admittedly a caffeine junkie, which began mainly as a by product of my career choice (PHP, CSS, JAVA coder) and I was just curious if this can have any serious repercussions on my weight loss goals.

I have read a wide array of opinions on this subject in online journals and blogs, and I was just curious about some of the opinions of people on here.

Since getting on my diet, I have switched to healthier alternatives to get my fix, like black coffee, zero carb/calorie/sugar energy drinks etc.

Thoughts?

Replies

  • dachiaman
    dachiaman Posts: 1
    I would say you are doing the right thing by cutting out the cream/sugar in your coffee. As far as black coffee goes, its basically almost water. Only about 5 calories for a cup. I too am addicted to caffeine and have done weight loss programs both with and without. The only major difference i saw was that without coffee i had headaches and was grumpy. My weight loss wasnt effected. If you think about it, a lot of the "weight loss" pills are mostly caffeine as it is a natural thermogenic. But mostly just do what feels right for you. If you feel your caffeine intake is a problem, try cutting back and see how you feel. You may end up sleeping better and feeling better and more energetic when you wake up. Or you could want to kill someone and in that case, you drinking coffee is good for everyone.
  • GiveMeCoffee
    GiveMeCoffee Posts: 3,556 Member
    I'm definitely a caffeine addict, and messing with my coffee would be harmful to others. My only switch was going to black coffee so I didn't have to count all the cream I was adding in.
  • Phoenix_Warrior
    Phoenix_Warrior Posts: 1,633 Member
    I'm a coffee addict, myself :). While, cutting out the sugar/creamer isn't necessary, I do on the fact I drink so much and I'd rather use my calories elsewhere. Caffiene, to my understanding, will not have a negative impact on loss. Again, I've been drinking at least several times a day for forever. I'd say enjoy :) energy drinks. .. no thank you! Though.
  • carlf243
    carlf243 Posts: 1 Member
    I've never found sugar free energy drinks to have any effects on weight loss. I tend to drink one 500ml can a day for a few weeks, then stop for a few weeks, can honestly say I've never seen a difference.

    I would imagine the sugar/cream are far worse than the caffeine!
  • Mahihkan
    Mahihkan Posts: 162
    Never did I cut on my caffeine (or sugar/cream in it) and I manage to lose a first 30 pounds.

    The one thing I have cut is having a coffee at Tim Horton's: They put A LOT of cream and sugar in it (not a real double/double) and it's 18% cream... woaaah! Hello calories! Near the 230! I could get a very nice Cinnamon Dolce Latte at Starbucks for those calories!
    So I only make mine each morning for a nice 60 calories.

    Since I am not a SugarBug, I can keep my sugar.
  • toddis
    toddis Posts: 941 Member
    As long as it's low or no calorie beverages the caffeine should be beneficial to weight loss.
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    I never quit caffeine and successfully lost fat and I'm maintaining a healthy body fat percentage. Just avoid high calorie sources of caffeine (although you can still have those, just log the calories in them carefully so they don't put you over your goal)
  • swisspea
    swisspea Posts: 327 Member
    I've cut caffeine completely (no coffee, coke or tea) and seen a huge improvement in my weight loss. I used to drink 4 cups a day (and would have more if I could) I never took sugar in my coffee, just a little bit of milk. I am less tired, less reliant on that hit and I find I don't snack as much on unhealthy, sweet things. I have a friend who ave up coffee for 6 months and told me that she "never felt better". I have no plans on going back.
  • Azurite27
    Azurite27 Posts: 554 Member
    I've cut out soda but definitely not caffeine. I work in a similar job (software QA) and I definitely couldn't be up at 4 and at work by 6 without my "fix". I drink black coffee and use those liquid water enhancers (zero cal). Hasn't seemed to have any affect on weight loss.

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