Coffee & Weight Loss Although the research on the link between drinking coffee and losing weight isn’t close to reaching a consensus, there are legitimate reasons that the link could exist. This doesn’t mean that you should double or triple your daily dose coffee, but you should know that the one cup you do have can simply boost fat loss efforts.
There are three specific reasons coffee has been linked to weight
loss:
Appetite Suppressant: The caffeine in coffee can suppress your appetite, which
inevitably will lead to weight loss particularly if you currently consume more
calories than your body needs. This appetite suppression, however, is somewhat
inconclusive right now as there is no way to gauge exactly how long the
appetite will be suppressed.
Water Weight:
For many dieters the caffeine in coffee has diuretic properties which makes you
go to the bathroom more. This loss of water will have a positive impact on your
weight, but you should keep in mind that this is just water weight not body
fat. The temporary loss of water weight will make your weight go down, but not
so significantly that you can forego a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Fat Burning:
Another way in which coffee and fat loss are linked is due to the thermogenic
properties of coffee. The caffeine found in coffee boosts your metabolism so
you can burn more of the calories you consume. This can help with weight loss
because if you’re burning more calories, fewer of them are being converted—and
stored—as fat. When doubled with a calorie controlled diet, it’s clear to see
how this can boost fat loss.
Calories In Coffee Another reason that there seems to be a positive association
between coffee and losing weight is because coffee is a zero-calorie beverage.
So while this doesn’t mean that coffee can help you lose weight, if you don’t
add too much milk, cream or sugar to your daily cup then you won’t gain weight
either.
I always add milk or non-dairy creamer, both have calories and some fat. Sometimes I even add
International ID Hazelnut (sugar free) which has 20 calories per tablespoon. It's delicious, but truth is if we want to
take advantage of the weight loss benefits associated with coffee we have to drink it black—without cream or sugar. If you
can’t drink coffee without added sugar and fat, maybe coffee isn’t the drink
for you.
Personal Choices I'm aware of the negative side effects associated
with drinking too much coffee and that they could potentially outweigh the
weight loss benefits (that's a plus for me because I drink decaf most of the time).
I’ve also read several articles recently about coffee and weight loss and I’ve decided that I’m going to start drinking coffee without adding any creamers. This will save me a minimum of 150 calories per day – and after drinking my New England Hazelnut Crème Decaf this morning – Black, I can tell you that it’s a delicious – smooth creamy liquid with absolutely no bitter after taste. I don’t anticipate any problem quickly making this a habit. I’ll keep you posted in my calorie tracker…
I’ve also read several articles recently about coffee and weight loss and I’ve decided that I’m going to start drinking coffee without adding any creamers. This will save me a minimum of 150 calories per day – and after drinking my New England Hazelnut Crème Decaf this morning – Black, I can tell you that it’s a delicious – smooth creamy liquid with absolutely no bitter after taste. I don’t anticipate any problem quickly making this a habit. I’ll keep you posted in my calorie tracker…
| STATS | |
| Journey Day: | 105 |
| Today's Calories: | 1640 |
| Daily Calorie Goal: | 1700 |
| Next Weigh In: | 5/7/14 |
| Days till Weigh-In: | 10 |
| Starting Weight: | 351 |
| Current Weight: | 336 |
| Lost So Far: | 15 |
| DAILY CALORIE TRACKER | |
| Sunday 4/27/14 Goal: 1700 calories | |
| Calories | |
| Breakfast | |
| English Muffin (light) | 100 |
| PB2 & Strawberry Jam | 120 |
| Sliced Fresh Strawberries | 30 |
| Hazelnut Crème Decaf | 0 |
| Organic Mixed Greens | 0 |
| Total: | 250 |
| Hazelnut Coffee | 0 |
| Total: | 0 |
| Lunch | |
| Omlet Wrap w/2 eggs, portobellas, ;low fat mozzerella, turkey bacon & seasoning | 450 |
| Fresh Sliced Pineapple Chunks | 70 |
| Organic Mixed Greens | 0 |
| Total: | 520 |
| Snacks | |
| Roasted, unsalted Almonds | 250 |
| Total: | 250 |
| Dinner | |
| Grilled Seasoned Skirt Steak w/sauteed mushrooms & onions (no oil/butter) | 450 |
| 1/2 boiled red pototoe w/tab of butter | 100 |
| Fresh Spinich - steamed | 0 |
| Total: | 550 |
| Snacks | |
| Hazelnut Crème Decaf | 0 |
| Sliced Fresh Pineapples | 70 |
| Daily Total: | 1640 |
| 25 min exercise (minimum) | Yes |
