Caffeine Alternative to Coffee
jkern9110
Posts: 119 Member
Good afternoon MFPs! I have a quick question concerning coffee (nice alliteration).
I need a boost of energy in the morning. I typically get this from my daily dose of caffeine obtained through my 12 oz cup of coffee which costs me about 35 calories (k-cup, plus 1 tbsp. sugar free creamer, stevia, and 2 tbsp. HEB mootopia fat free milk). I was just reading another post related to one of our fellow-sleevers experiencing a weight loss stall. Some of you suggested cutting artificial sweeteners. I have the following questions:
1. Is Stevia an artificial sweetener?
2. What is something else that I could use to sweeten my coffee other than stevia and the creamer I use (which I assume has an artificial sweetener in it)?
3. Is there another product that you use to get a boost of energy that doesn't cost too many calories and doesn't contain artificial sweeteners?
Please note the following:
I take my vitamins, including my B12 sub-lingual and my levels are good. I still wake up and stay tired if I don't drink a cup of coffee.
Aside from my morning cup of coffee, I only drink water and my daily Syntrax Nectar protein drink.
TIA for any suggestions!
Jess
I need a boost of energy in the morning. I typically get this from my daily dose of caffeine obtained through my 12 oz cup of coffee which costs me about 35 calories (k-cup, plus 1 tbsp. sugar free creamer, stevia, and 2 tbsp. HEB mootopia fat free milk). I was just reading another post related to one of our fellow-sleevers experiencing a weight loss stall. Some of you suggested cutting artificial sweeteners. I have the following questions:
1. Is Stevia an artificial sweetener?
2. What is something else that I could use to sweeten my coffee other than stevia and the creamer I use (which I assume has an artificial sweetener in it)?
3. Is there another product that you use to get a boost of energy that doesn't cost too many calories and doesn't contain artificial sweeteners?
Please note the following:
I take my vitamins, including my B12 sub-lingual and my levels are good. I still wake up and stay tired if I don't drink a cup of coffee.
Aside from my morning cup of coffee, I only drink water and my daily Syntrax Nectar protein drink.
TIA for any suggestions!
Jess
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Replies
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I use Stevia (which isn't artificial) and I use an unflavored soy creamer. I could not give up my morning cup of coffee!0
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I gave up the morning cup the first few months post op, but it slowly crept back into my daily routine.0
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I am completely useless without a couple cups of coffee a day. I have slowly weaned myself off sweetening my coffee at all. Now I use a premier protein shake instead of creamer. It has just enough sweetness, and I get my protein in too.0
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This is a great topic stevia is included in the artificial sweeteners list. Caffeine is a issue of its own. What happens is first your body accommodates that means you get used to the caffeine. Having got used to caffeine you need more to just be normal again. The psychological effect of drinking a coffee can imitate the same effect of caffeine, your body responds accordingly. What caffeine also does is cycle your body up and then down lower than normal to equal out. Caffeine is addicting so it takes a while to get completely back to normal. Before my WLS I drank a pot of coffee a day. I quit drinking coffee the day before surgery, and never restarted again. Consider quitting coffee for better health.0
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I would say that my artificial sweetener intake went way up during this process. I believe most of the protein powders use it, I started using it when i switched to decaf coffee (that flavor is just a bit off from real coffee), and I think it is in a lot of the low cal greek yogurts I have been eating.
I am not on the "artificial sweeteners are evil" train, and think there is a place for them. But, of course, to each their own.
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Be aware that one of the common consequences of WLS is hypoglycemia... It will eventually hit about 10% of people who have WLS. Kind of funny since most people who have the surgery are pre-diabetic or diabetic! (I wasnt).
One thing to note and watch for as you get further out from surgery... If you start feeling light headed or dizzy when standing or feeling like you will pass out if you dont eat NOW, you could be having low blood sugar episodes (ask your doc or get a meter and test it!).
If you do get that way, stevia is not a good thing for everyone. It is "natural" (so is arsenic - dosage is what matters!) and it is recommended for diabetics because it not only does not spike your blood sugar, but in some people it actually lowers it. If I drink stevia in tea, with no other carbs, I will be seeing stars within 30-60 minutes because it drops my blood sugar from my normal (which is low - about 70) way down to 40-50. The only way I can use stevia is if I make sure there is some other carbs in whatever I am having (i.e. stevia in quest bars doesnt bother me).
It may or may not be relevant to you now or in the future, but its something to be aware of and watch out for!0 -
I'm glad you brought this up. I work the graveyard shift and sometimes have trouble staying up. I really don't want to start drinking coffee again. I'm currently in search for a "natural" source of energy. I'm considering pouring 5 hour energy in my water.0
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I'm glad you brought this up. I work the graveyard shift and sometimes have trouble staying up. I really don't want to start drinking coffee again. I'm currently in search for a "natural" source of energy. I'm considering pouring 5 hour energy in my water.
Word to the wise: take the 5 hour energy as a shot. It tastes absolutely awful, no matter which flavor you choose. DO NOT POUR IT IN YOUR WATER. I like the energy boost of a 5 hour energy and the low calorie count, they just get really expensive! Even when I was buying the value boxes, it was still about $2 a shot.
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I drink coffee daily and went back to regular when my surgeon said I could. However, I do know that I need to limit my coffee or I won't get my water in. And no, for anyone who is wondering, it's made with water but does not count towards your water. Also, I can no longer tolerate it plain which is how I drank it before WLS. It now bothers my stomach if I don't have a least a little creamer in it. And yes, I count those calories. I am not an artifical sweetner fan only because some have a funny after taste and some (Splenda) bothered my stomach before the WLS, so now I won't try them again. I don't think they are evil, just not a huge fan. Energy shots. I use those when on a very long road trip. I like that they don't cause jitters and wear off gradually, no crash. But I don't think I would want to use them daily. But if that's your alternative to coffee and your doctor is OK with it, why not?0
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So I'm not a big proponent of the programs aimed at weight loss that sometimes resemble a ponzy scheme to me, but my co-workers all drink Spark (an advocare product). None of them use anything else from them. I tried it. It definitely gave an energy boost that was needed. It's 45 calories and I'm sure full of artificial sweeteners, but it is an alternative. The energy boost seemed to be very similar to a 5 hour energy and tasted better. I don't think its necessarily a good trade off calorie wise, but I thought I would share.0
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For energy, I drink the "Recovery" Rock Star energy drinks. They have no carbonation, so its like Koolaid. They have a very, very high amount of B vitamins (I have never had to supplement since starting these drinks, and my blood tests come back high on Bs). They also have artificial sweetener (splenda I think) and Taurine and things that are not good for you... BUt hey, everyone needs at least one vice, and this one keeps me moving! I order by the case off amazon now (only the orange... lemonade is ok in a pinch, grape is so-so.0
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Stevia is a naturally sweet plant, but what you get in the store has been processed so whether or not is "natural" or artificial is open to interpretation. As with all sweeteners, I would suggest you find one whose taste you like and works with your body (blood sugar, tolerance, etc). Most sweetened low cal stuff will likely have one of them in it.
I work rotating shifts that change weekly, so some caffeine is often a necessity. Coffee is a habit I've picked up post surgery, but I usually mix in some flavored RTD protein shake instead of a separate creamer/sweetener. But I'm more of a latte drinker anyway and my "coffee" is usually more protein shake with coffee seasoning.
Crystal Light also has an "Energy" blend, with each stick being 10 cal and around 60mg caffeine, but I'm sure it contains some type of artificial sweetener.0 -
V8 Splash with Energy! Only 50 cals. They also have a diet version with only 10 cals.
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Be aware that one of the common consequences of WLS is hypoglycemia... It will eventually hit about 10% of people who have WLS. Kind of funny since most people who have the surgery are pre-diabetic or diabetic! (I wasnt).
One thing to note and watch for as you get further out from surgery... If you start feeling light headed or dizzy when standing or feeling like you will pass out if you dont eat NOW, you could be having low blood sugar episodes (ask your doc or get a meter and test it!).
If you do get that way, stevia is not a good thing for everyone. It is "natural" (so is arsenic - dosage is what matters!) and it is recommended for diabetics because it not only does not spike your blood sugar, but in some people it actually lowers it. If I drink stevia in tea, with no other carbs, I will be seeing stars within 30-60 minutes because it drops my blood sugar from my normal (which is low - about 70) way down to 40-50. The only way I can use stevia is if I make sure there is some other carbs in whatever I am having (i.e. stevia in quest bars doesnt bother me).
It may or may not be relevant to you now or in the future, but its something to be aware of and watch out for!
^^^ Hijack: Thanks for the info, I have now become hypoglycemic and was thinking about using Stevia. I will have to do more research.0 -
Be aware that one of the common consequences of WLS is hypoglycemia... It will eventually hit about 10% of people who have WLS. Kind of funny since most people who have the surgery are pre-diabetic or diabetic! (I wasnt).
One thing to note and watch for as you get further out from surgery... If you start feeling light headed or dizzy when standing or feeling like you will pass out if you dont eat NOW, you could be having low blood sugar episodes (ask your doc or get a meter and test it!).
If you do get that way, stevia is not a good thing for everyone. It is "natural" (so is arsenic - dosage is what matters!) and it is recommended for diabetics because it not only does not spike your blood sugar, but in some people it actually lowers it. If I drink stevia in tea, with no other carbs, I will be seeing stars within 30-60 minutes because it drops my blood sugar from my normal (which is low - about 70) way down to 40-50. The only way I can use stevia is if I make sure there is some other carbs in whatever I am having (i.e. stevia in quest bars doesnt bother me).
It may or may not be relevant to you now or in the future, but its something to be aware of and watch out for!
^^^ Hijack: Thanks for the info, I have now become hypoglycemic and was thinking about using Stevia. I will have to do more research.
I have been using Monk Fruit Extract with pretty good luck. Just watch as some brands are actually Monk Fruit/Stevia blends.
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Thanks for the info, greatly appreciated.0
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I drink Folgers Half Caff coffee. I can't tell the difference in terms of the taste. My Doctor approved this version of coffee for me. I would check with you Doctor first but you might want to try this if you haven't already. I use a sugar free french vanilla dry creamer from Walmart. Grocery shopping recently I noticed another coffee company has a half caff version too...but I can't recall the brand. It was the full bean version, I don't have a lot of time to grind the beans so being lazy I just buy the Folgers.0
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Today I tried diet v8 v - fusion + energy. So far, it's doing its job and keeping me up. Feeling okay. I work graveyard and only got about 4 hours of sleep yesterday. Its 10 cal, 10g sodium, 3g carbs, and 2g sugar. Not too bad.0
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I recently visited Trader Joe's. They have a half caff coffee beans in a can that you can grind at the store. $5.99 for 12 oz. The coffee tastes pretty good but not any better than the Folgers I mentioned above.0
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