Coffee????

[Mickeys.friend]

I am a HUGE coffee addict...and I must lose some weight. I know I crave the caffiene, but I am sure my body craves the milk/cream/creamer and sugar as well. I am smart enough to recognize that this 2 cups or more a day habit HAS TO GO, but I've had it so long that I am actually a bit nervous to give it up. I have heard and read in several places that it can take anywhere from 9 to 21 days for the human body to really recognize a change and break a habit. So, what I would really like to know from anyone who WAS like me.....what did you switch to when you started a weight loss program or lifestyle change? I am more than willing to give anything a try, but I am not fond of artificial sweeteners, and I prefer something "tasty" enough for me to be able to get through the time I need to make it my "new habit" ...I hope this makes sense!! Thanks for the help!!!


LIZ

 

[FireDancer]

I drank a lot of coffee and still do. The difference is that I used to add multiple tablespoons of sugar to every cup but now I drink it black. No calories and all the health benefits of coffee.

What I did was switched from bulk sugar to sugar cubes. This meant I could more accurately control what I put in each cup. I started by adding 3 cubes (which in itself was much less than normal) and once I got used to it stepped down to 2, then 1, then none. It took a little time to get used to it but after about a month I learned to like it and never went back.

Something else that helps is going with flavored coffee. I am not talking about that sugar syrup that is labeled flavoring but actually flavored beans. My favorite is Don Francisco. Their Hawaiian Hazelnut is awesome. Cafe Connection also has good flavors.

Coffee has been found to be good at helping to prevent some cancers and has a decent amount of antioxidants. Of course too much isn't good but most of the drawbacks come from all the stuff we add to coffee like whipped cream, whole milk, mocha, and caramel and not the coffee itself. If you can find a little high cocoa % dark chocolate with minimal sugar added that can be added to make a healthier mocha then the sugary syrupy chocolate added in coffeeshops.

Good luck with the adjustment.

 

[TxRabbit]

The big question is WHY do you think you need to give up coffee? Is is the caffeine? Are you trying to limit caffeine? Eliminate caffeine? Or is it sugar+ that you put into the drink that you want to limit? And you don't think you can drink coffee without it?

You want your motivation to come from a positive source. Negative motivation generally isn't fuel for long term change.

Generally coffee drinkers like the hot beverage and will want to still have one, but just a different one. A coffee substitute that has no caffeine and may have flavor with no added sweetener. There is an herbal coffee out there called Teeccino. You brew it like you brew coffee. It's brown like coffee. You can get it in flavors, like coffee. It is different than coffee in acidity, and thus, it is different for your body. I would recommend that you order their sampler pack to try the different flavors and see which one would work for you.

Tea is another rather obvious choice. Depending on what you are trying to do with your caffeine, you might try flavored black tea (for a sweeter drink) or herbal teas.

It really goes back to how you enjoy your coffee and why you want to eliminate it from your life.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I used to drink a good amount of coffee, but growing up with an artificial sweetener mom, I just always skipped the sugar. It was usually the creamer that got me.

Now, each day I drink 1 mug of coffee at work (I use my Disney refillable much ). I add in a tbsp of sugar free french vanilla coffeemate (I know, could be better but it's still only 30cal and doesn't give me the sugar jump/crash other kinds do) and three splendas. I allow myself that in the morning to stay awake, and that's it.

I don't keep it in the house so I don't drink it on weekends. Usually I'll get up early to go to the gym on Saturday so I don't feel like I need it then, and on Sunday I sleep in.

I don't think splenda tastes artificial. I def agree that Equal and Sweet & Low does though. If you can't stand to change to that, try going with the sugar cube idea. Most of my coworkers drink it black, so you could try that too!

 

[MineMail]

I'm allergic to saccharine, but Equal and Splenda seem okay. I don't like the aftertaste though, so instead, I've cut my sugar dramatically, by measuring and reducing it a little at a time, like FireDancer. I couldn't drink coffee without sugar though.

We used to use light cream, which is about the same calories as half-and-half. I had half-and-half at a coffee shop last week and I hated the taste.

I've found that using Lactaid milk is a less-fattening substitute. It tastes the same, but it's a little thicker than regular milk. I started with whole milk Lactaid and now I use the fat free Lactaid. I don't miss the cream at all.

 

[Poohbear5]

OP, I'm with you. I'm starting anew today on Sparkpeople was was shocked at the calories when I entered my coffee!
I think I'm going to try the herbal tea in the morning.
Artificial sweetners don't agree with me so I'd rather just try cold turkey.
Good luck!

 

[Caitsmama]

Sorry, but you aren't getting the "quit caffeine" pep talk here!!

I have just lost 30 lbs. and NEVER gave up my coffee -- and i drink probably about 6 cups a day, ALL with cream and sugar.

That was the one thing that i was NOT about to mess with, i love my coffee - look forward to my coffee, and would not use fake stuff just to make the calories less! LOL

I say - enjoy it how you like it - cut down the number of cups if you need to, but enjoy it, and trim the fat in other ways and beef up your activity level.

 

[fairestoneofall]

i didn't give up coffee either. i did switch to a stevia sweetener (truvia or purevia) and sugar-free creamer (not the fat-free--it's too thin for me). those two switches made a nice difference for me. the sweetener did take some getting used to, but now i don't notice at all and feel like regular sugar is TOO sweet.

if i had given up my coffee, my otherwise healthy eating planned would've FAILED. i know my limits.

 

[carmiedog]

I quite coffee cold turkey a few years ago when I did Atkins. That was the first week when you also go super low carb, and it was NOT FUN. I remember just wanting to spend a couple days in bed and feeling like crap. After those first few days I was fine.

But that was years ago and I'm loving my coffee today. One thing I did do was go from taking it really sweet (2-3 spoons of sugar) to just Silk soymilk. Still calories, but a bit healthier than sugar.

Another thing is that the more you exercise, the more your energy will increase and the less you'll NEED that coffee. Exercise makes a HUGE difference. It's easier to control when it's something you just enjoy versus something you depend on. My goal as I get back into shape is to drop from 3 to 2 cups a day.

 

[lolafrances]

I agree, you don't need to eliminate coffee for weight loss, unless you want to for another reason or a medical reason. Just like anything else on a diet, you can moderate the amount you consume, adjust how much cream and sugar you put in it, etc. I use 1 tbsp of a low calorie creamer (I measure out the portion) and one splenda. I would rather drink coffee black than no coffee at all. I also try to be extra conscious about drinking lots of water after having a cup of coffee, and before having another.

If you really enjoy coffee and it gives you a little pick me up during the day, you may find yourself doing more harmful snacking if you eliminate coffee altogether.

Everyone has less than perfect things in their diet, but if you modify those items so they fit into your total calorie budget (and eliminate other things that aren't as important to you to compensate for your desired item) you should be fine.

Now go have a delicious cup of coffee and enjoy!