What's the big deal about caffeine again?

[J.R.]

If there's one thing I'm addicted to, it's coffee. I live in Europe, so the norm is Italian-style expresso, which I always drink black (the exception is cappuccino where I indulge in a modest amount of sugar). At home, I have an American-style filter coffee maker. I can easily drink 6 cups during the day, normally putting half-and-half in it. (I'd love a old-fashioned perculator, but that simply doesn't exist in Europe and my 110v one is useless here).

I managed to go coffee-free for the first 9 days of induction. However, I had to go on an overnight business trip to Cologne and the fresh coffee in the hotel was just too tempting to pass up (I drank it black). Since then I've been taking expressos at work and making half-pots at home on the weekends. It does not appear to affect my weight loss. If anything, my rate of weight loss has increased since resuming with coffee.

I don't have cravings for something sweet now (well, no more than I had before), so I'm not sure what the fuss is about caffeine in general and coffee in particular.

[Georgiana]

Re: What's the big deal about caffeine again?

The fuss about caffeine is that some people get cravings from it (see the Induction chapter in DANDR) or their weight loss is stalled.

Lucky you for being able to drink it.

[mitzimarie]

Re: What's the big deal about caffeine again?

Yep, what Georgiana said.

I know of one person, in particular, who is extemely affected by caffeine... wreaks havoc on their blood sugar. It is definitely a YMMV thing (Your Mileage May Vary).

From p. 127 in DANDR (chapter on Induction phase): "Excessive caffeine may cause unstable blood sugar and should be avoided by those who suspect they are caffeine dependent. Everyone should try to avoid caffeine. Grain beverages (coffee substitutes) are not allowed."

From p. 222 in DANDR (chapter on Lifetime Maintenance): "Consume caffeine and alcohol only in moderation."

From p. 230 in DANDR (chapter on How To jump-Start Weight Loss): "Drink only decaffaffeinated coffee and tea and use only acceptable sweeteners."

So, if it doesn't affect you, consider yourself lucky! I included the quotes above to give a reference in case you (or anyone else out there) runs into trouble with it, as I have seen the topic of caffeine addressed in several posts.

[J.R.]

Re: What's the big deal about caffeine again?

Thanks Mitzi. I actually read pg 127 last night. What is not clear is why "unstable blood sugar" is a problem, and why people "dependent" on caffeine should avoid it more than someone not dependent on it (inference from phrasing of sentence).

I understand it may cause sugar cravings, but if it doesn't or the cravings can be handled, I don't see the harm.

Obviously if it causes a weight loss stall, that's a horse of a different color, but not sure about the chemistry behind that claim.

[Lexley]

Re: What's the big deal about caffeine again?

I'm glad that it is dependent on the person's tolerance levels. I personally love my coffee and have been drinking it every morning for a long time. I don't get cravings for sugar at all with it, unless I'm extremely tired. I might eventually swap to decaf (if i'm brave enough lol) but I don't foresee that in the near future! I love my coffee too much!

[liv]

Re: What's the big deal about caffeine again?

Coffee (caffeine) can be tricky
A study from last year, the Guelph study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed

showed blood sugar levels in subjects who ate the low-sugar cereal jumped 250 percent higher when they drank caffeinated coffee than when they drank decaffeinated.
"Caffeine interferes with our body's response to insulin,"Graham says. "It makes us resistant to insulin which in turn makes our blood-sugar levels go higher."
Several spikes in blood sugar a day can have adverse health effects and those at risk for type 2 diabetes should be careful and consider drinking decaffeinated coffee, Graham says.

Coffee before breakfast boosts blood sugar - UPI.com

[Peej]

Re: What's the big deal about caffeine again?

Thanks Mitzi. I actually read pg 127 last night. What is not clear is why "unstable blood sugar" is a problem, and why people "dependent" on caffeine should avoid it more than someone not dependent on it (inference from phrasing of sentence).

I suspect Dr. Atkins was of the opinion that being addicted to anything is bad whether it has to do with weight loss or not. Someone who is not addicted to caffeine won't be too affected by one cup of coffee. They probably won't wake up with the urge to drink another cup every day. However, for someone who is addicted, just one sip can reawaken that addiction and make it harder to avoid. Maintaining stable blood sugar will keep your energy level consistent and your hunger under control.

I tend to agree with the notion that addictions are harmful whether they affect weight loss or not. Anything can be harmful in excess and most of the things we are addicted to are generally unhealthy. While you're breaking the carb addiction, why not break the caffeine, smoking, alcohol etc addictions that you're burdened with? Just like carbs, you won't want them as much after you quit.

I was really addicted to caffeine (I drank coffee to wake up/stay awake for school) but I find that now that I have quit, I don't even need the energy boost because I'm not going through the crash afterward.

If you aren't affected by the caffeine, then consider yourself lucky. It didn't affect my weight loss but it certainly affected my energy level. I'm glad to have quit.

[Georgiana]

Re: What's the big deal about caffeine again?

What is not clear is why "unstable blood sugar" is a problem

Caffeine stimulates the production of adrenaline. The adrenaline will trigger a "flight or fight" response, telling the liver to release glucose into the blood stream. As the blood sugar rises, insulin will have to be produced by the pancreas to deal with it. In some folks, just the right amount of insulin in produced and the blood sugar levels stabilize. In others however, an overproduction of insulin will cause a drop in blood sugar, hence cravings/hunger.

This is the reference Dr. Atkins gave in his book:

D. Kerr et al., "Effect of Caffeine on the Recognition of and Responses to Hypoglycemia in Humans", Annals of Internal Medicine, 1993, 119 (8.), 799
Effect of Caffeine on the Recognition of and Responses to Hypoglycemia in Humans -- Kerr et al. 119 (8.): 799 -- Annals of Internal Medicine

[johnnydurango]

Re: What's the big deal about caffeine again?

If there's one thing I'm addicted to, it's coffee. I live in Europe, so the norm is Italian-style expresso, which I always drink black (the exception is cappuccino where I indulge in a modest amount of sugar). At home, I have an American-style filter coffee maker. I can easily drink 6 cups during the day, normally putting half-and-half in it. (I'd love a old-fashioned perculator, but that simply doesn't exist in Europe and my 110v one is useless here).

I managed to go coffee-free for the first 9 days of induction. However, I had to go on an overnight business trip to Cologne and the fresh coffee in the hotel was just too tempting to pass up (I drank it black). Since then I've been taking expressos at work and making half-pots at home on the weekends. It does not appear to affect my weight loss. If anything, my rate of weight loss has increased since resuming with coffee.

I don't have cravings for something sweet now (well, no more than I had before), so I'm not sure what the fuss is about caffeine in general and coffee in particular.

i find that drinking coffee helps with hunger and speeds my loss of weight...

HOWEVER...for some reason some people maybe most i dont know they have cravings for sweets or something...and it can effect blood sugar levels...

its to our interest to follow the atkins plan however some people are different...nothing is worth the risk of failing right? you and i should not have drank coffee but we did and lucky us it doesnt effect us or seem to...

i am really addicted to coffee...

look if you notice something effecting you in a negative way just drop it...and lets stick to the plan..too often people try to modify and change the diet..

thats not to say Atkins hasnt changed or been modified over the years succesfully but i will leave that to the experts at Atkins to do that for me (us)...




Mommy2LittleMissBellaBre
ADBB Adventurer

Atkins Phase: Extended Induction
S/C/G Weights: 218/194/150

[johnnydurango]

Re: What's the big deal about caffeine again?

Yep, what Georgiana said.

I know of one person, in particular, who is extemely affected by caffeine... wreaks havoc on their blood sugar. It is definitely a YMMV thing (Your Mileage May Vary).

From p. 127 in DANDR (chapter on Induction phase): "Excessive caffeine may cause unstable blood sugar and should be avoided by those who suspect they are caffeine dependent. Everyone should try to avoid caffeine. Grain beverages (coffee substitutes) are not allowed."

From p. 222 in DANDR (chapter on Lifetime Maintenance): "Consume caffeine and alcohol only in moderation."

From p. 230 in DANDR (chapter on How To jump-Start Weight Loss): "Drink only decaffaffeinated coffee and tea and use only acceptable sweeteners."

So, if it doesn't affect you, consider yourself lucky! I included the quotes above to give a reference in case you (or anyone else out there) runs into trouble with it, as I have seen the topic of caffeine addressed in several posts.

I like you..your witty...before i say this also let me preface that Atkins should be followed 100% and that even if the book says "some people may be affected" we should think of ourselves as the ones that may be affected...

not only do i drink coffee, i drink beer...the weight is coming off as fast as i think it should but i know im not supposed to drink beer..lol...if its slowing me down say by 20% or something i can live with that.

i will say this: stick to the plan, just because some people like me..stubborn idiots that we can be...goes and does something stupid and then figures out that we are one of the people that can "get away with it" doesnt mean anything....

im trying to cut down on the beer though...amazingly i am losing about 2 pounds a week or so,,, but hey..i bet id be losing 3 pounds without the beer!!

I have lost all cravings for sweets...wooo hoooo!!!!!

and now really my big deal hahahah as funny as it seems...is trying to eat enough food.

never thought i would see the day where i am like "cmon Jon eat..you need to eat..you need to eat cmon jon..lol"

[johnnydurango]

Re: What's the big deal about caffeine again?

i need to adjust where i am in this, i finished induction before i came in to join this group..im trying to figure out how to do things..like trying to figure out why it wont upload my picture,,,grrrrrr

[Georgiana]

Re: What's the big deal about caffeine again?

i find that drinking coffee helps with hunger and speeds my loss of weight...

you and i should not have drank coffee but we did and lucky us it doesnt effect us or seem to...

johnny, you don't know how coffee affects you on Atkins unless you try going without coffee for a while. While it may not stall you, it could just as well only slow down your weight loss. Since you are supposed to determine your degree of metabolic resistance based on the loss you had during the first two weeks (you say you are on a 14-day Induction), your coffee habit may skew the results.

[kibskix]

Re: What's the big deal about caffeine again?

I swapped for decaf, had a headache the first day, and now I don't even notice the difference. I figure if there's a possibility of a stall, i'd rather not spend a whole week figuring that out then trying to reverse it, and just go straight to decaf. Why tempt fate?

[Georgiana]

Re: What's the big deal about caffeine again?

i need to adjust where i am in this, i finished induction before i came in to join this group..im trying to figure out how to do things..like trying to figure out why it wont upload my picture,,,grrrrrr

Oh johnny, I'm sure you remember how to do that. You've done it before.

If you don't, we can discuss the problem in the "Testing and Technical Questions" forum.

[Georgiana]

Re: What's the big deal about caffeine again?

i will say this: stick to the plan, just because some people like me..stubborn idiots that we can be...goes and does something stupid and then figures out that we are one of the people that can "get away with it" doesnt mean anything....

Part of what you said here is very true. However, what you so proudly admit of doing will make others believe they can do it too. One has to be on OWL Rung 5 to drink any form of alcohol.