What's up with coffee??

Here's my view on coffee:

I used to drink a TON of regular Mt Dew. I switched to coffee so I could still get my caffeine without everything else that comes with pop. I figure of the two - coffee is the lesser of the two evils (even with my creamer in it). I wouldn't worry if you like it. I do limit myself to two 8oz cups a day though.

Caffeine is a drug. It causes increased adrenaline and a spike in blood pressure. It's great for waking up now and then, but drinking too much on a daily basis will cause a reliance on caffeine. It will stop waking you up, but it will continue to cause an adrenaline spike.

I don't know much more than that biologically. All I know is that coffee makes me feel sick, but I'm addicted anyways.

Switch to decaf or caffeinated tea instead. When you're able to cut down your consumption, you can have one or two cups a day safely.

I say moderation. Obviously, what the others said about not loading it down with cream and sugar. I do add creamer, but if a cup of coffee with 30-70 cals of sweetner keeps me from downing a bag of chocolate chips then I'll take it. I also can get a lot more chores done and have energy to hit the gym if I drink a cup or two a day. The only thing I read that I am not sure about is . . .don't drink it within an hour of exercise or it somehow lessens the benefits of your exercise. I don't drink it then because I don't want to risk it.

Coffee is a stimulant and yes, your body gets used to having it. Cutting back is always a good idea, but you have to do it slowly or you'll get wicked headaches. I switched to decaf years ago and did it cold turkey. Bad idea -- awful headache for 2 weeks. But I'm still on the decaf 'cuz I like the warmth and the smell. I just put a touch of sugar in mine. You can cut a cup a day out, or slowly replace caffeinated with decaf, changing the amounts each day.

My former cardiologist, who is also a close friend, recommends: not more than 1-2 cups (8 oz cup size) of caffeine containing drinks per day.

What caffeine is: it's a stimulant DRUG and is addicting
What it does: it accelerates the heart rate and over stimulates the nerves in the body thereby producing a heavier workload on the heart.

Suggestion: moderation is the key factor with the intake of any caffeine containing product but the body functions better without it.

The choices are yours.

I used to have 2 cups of coffee for breakfast and that was it. Now I'll have a cup with a low calorie/low sodium creamer. Coffee will actually boost your metabolism. When I first started MFP, I cut out coffee cold turkey and I got these really bad headaches. It eventually went away after taking some Excedrine, but I can't start my day without cup I drink Folgers half caff coffee..regular coffee doesn't do well with me anymore.

I know how you feel. Try green tea. Due to my coffee addiction (and subsequent heartburn, and other crazy stomach issues, I assume is b/c of drinking so much coffee) I recently switched to a green tea/chai mix and LOVE it!! I mix it with a little almond milk for that "coffee creamer" feel and it does the trick! Green tea does not have as much caffeine as coffee, but you may be able to figure out if it's truly the caffeine or the taste you're addicted to. Good luck!

I have a cup every morning with flavored creamer. Comes out to 82 calories total and is worked into my calorie budget. I used to drink 3 cream/3 sugar xlarge coffees all day, as well as super huge white mochas from starbucks with lots of whipped cream.

I've given up a lot, but coffee is here to stay. 82 calories for a sane mama at 6am is more than worth it to my family.

I used to drink 4-5 cups of coffee a day at work, and often a cola as well. Then about six months ago, I realized that I was having a really hard time focusing and I was a nervous wreck all the time. Thought maybe my meds (anti-depressants) weren't working at first, then thought, hey, maybe I should cut back the caffeine. Went cold turkey, got killer headaches for a few weeks, but started feeling like I was in control again, so obviously something worked. I just started chugging a 16 oz. glass of water every time I wanted coffee, and the headaches cleared up too.

I only drink coffee at my mom's house now, maybe once every few weeks, and I notice a HUGE difference in how I feel. I swear I was more tired all the time when I was drinking coffee a lot than I have been since. Maybe I'm getting more restful sleep now.

That's my coffee story. LOL Make of it what you will!

Like most things, it's best in moderation. It has anti-oxidants, so a cup or two a day may actually have some benefit. Of course, adding a bunch of sweetener and milk really isn't good, but black coffee isn't for everyone.