Caffeine question

[ColoGirl]

I'm not a huge coffee drinker, but I do have one fairly strong, large cup of coffee every morning, just to get me going. Will this hurt my diet? And if so, what can I use as a subsitute? I'd like to get away from drinking coffee altogether but I always seem to need a little boost first thing in the morning.

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: Caffeine question

Cologirl, apparently some people don't have problems with caffeine in moderation.

However, it does cause a rise in insulin, and insulin is what packs the fat into the fat cells.

I was a coffee addict before I started Atkins. But I cut it out and switched to Columbian Decaf because it has a better flavor than regular decaf.

I don't miss the caffeine at all now, although the withdrawals weren't a lot of fun.

Why don't you try toughing it out through induction without caffeine just to break the addiction. Then you might try adding it back in later and see how it affects you.

Good luck!

[ColoGirl]

Re: Caffeine question

I think I will do that. Just cut it out all together and see what happens.

I'm sure if I can also concentrate on getting a decent night's sleep for once I won't even need it!

Thanks for replying, Sunny_One.

[chinadoll]

Re: Caffeine question

If you find you just can't do it, try this: I started by making a pot half decaf and half regular and eventually got to 2/3 decaf but I could never give it up all together, but you can bet this summer I am going to try Sunny's idea of Columbian decaf. I love the Columbian regular so that might just do the trick!

[ColoGirl]

Re: Caffeine question

I never thought about doing that. That's a great idea! I may need to do that because the more I think about it, the more I doubt I'll be able to cut it out altogether. This way I can wean myself off it. Thanks so much for the advice.

[J.R.]

Re: Caffeine question

My wife and I were in Costa Rica for 10 days with a guide a couple of years ago. The Ticos love coffee and drink several cups a day. I was told by the Guide that Costa Rican coffee has 1/7th the amount of caffeine than Columbian coffee. I'm sure he's comparing arabica.

I'm sure there are a lot of factors to this (where the coffee was grown, how high up the mountain it was grown, how it was processed, how it was roasted, etc). I've been looking on the internet to confirm the 1/7th number and haven't seen it yet, but lots of supporting evidence that Costa Rican arabica coffee does indeed contain lower amounts of caffeine naturally.

Anecdotally, I can tell you drinking coffee there (several times a day with Eric, my guide) didn't give me the normal jolt I was used to. So for all those that dislike decaffe, maybe you should find a gourmet cafe shop and select a nice arabica from Costa Rica. You can also find ground Costa Rican coffee in supermarkets, it's not too rare.

I'd try it myself, but I'm still on my Hawaiian Kona with vanilla nut kick. Smells a lot better!

[ColoGirl]

Re: Caffeine question

Thanks for all that info, J.R. I'm definitely going to look into that. The supermarket I go to has a huge selection of different types of coffee so I'm going to definitely be looking when I go shopping today.

This morning I tried going without the coffee but there was just no way. I'm definitely going to need an alternative so thanks again for this info.

[J.R.]

Re: Caffeine question

I know what you mean, I only made it 9 days without coffee on induction. I've still cut way back on my usual amounts, and now I'm drinking a cup or two a day, black. Apparently I'm one of the lucky ones who don't seem to stall with caffeine.

If you do try the Costa Rican coffee, it would be interesting to hear how it works out for you.

[ColoGirl]

Re: Caffeine question

Today was my first day and I couldn't help it, I had to have 2 cups this morning. Should I not have creamer? I use a nondairy creamer. Is it better to just drink it black? And sugar subsitute?

[J.R.]

Re: Caffeine question

if you have to have it, limit it to one cup and drink it black. You really should see what induction is like without it though, otherwise you'll have nothing to compare (iow you won't know if caffeine stalls you or not)

[JenCarn]

Re: Caffeine question

I had to cut caffeine completely. I couldn't lose any weight while drinking caffeine. The withdrawal was rough, but I have been caffeine free for about a week and I feel terrific (and have found that I don't need my morning caffeine).

[DreamCatcher]

Re: Caffeine question

My husband and I never thought we could drink our coffee without sugar and cream. When we started Atkins, we both went to black and now I couldn't imagine drinking it with the sugar and cream.

I think I will try the 1/2 decaf with 1/2 caffeine since my DH has been on a stall. It could possibly be the caffeine. We shall see.

[planetclaire]

Re: Caffeine question

I switched to 1/2 caf because I drink way too much coffee. Once my caffeinated can is empty, switching to decaf.

I'm also reducing the amount of splenda I put in! Down to half teaspoon now. It still tastes pretty good

[imagood1]

Re: Caffeine question

3 years ago after the hubs triple bypass we were told NO FULL LEAD COFFEE EVER AGAIN....that day I went to the store - bought 3 different types of decaf coffee and we decided on one we liked -- it happens to be the Walmart decaf brand. I just can't drink regular coffee anymore -- a couple times in restaurants I've been given the wrong coffee by mistake....I KNEW the difference and had them change it immediately.

You can also try a decaf hot tea -- especially at night. I have a cup of tea each night before I go to bed after I've drank all my water for the day.

Good luck on the decaf process and on losing weight!!

[J.R.]

Re: Caffeine question

... and now I couldn't imagine drinking it with the sugar and cream.

I think it may be pretty common to stop putting sugar in coffee forever once one gets used to drinking unsweetened coffee. You may find sweetened coffee is kind of disgusting now. A good cream is a different matter and that may be harder to refuse permanently...