Newbie & the COFFEE dilemma

[Designbabe]

Today is Day 3 at 6 am for me. I've lost 5 lbs overnight, but I won't be too happy w/ that success yet, in case it creeps back on me tonight. After all, I've been up since 3 a.m. PEEING, so I'm too sleepy to have the 3 lbs register.

Anyway, I've been reading conflicting posts on COFFEE intake. Some say that it spikes insulin levels and others say it HELPS diabetes and reduces one's risk by 33%. I'm confused, please help.

I'm not a huge coffee drinker, but I need one small cup in the morning on workdays. I had one on Day 2, w/ Cream instead of my usual milk. I've had diabetes for a year now, so I kicked the sugar habit a while ago.

What do I do? What do you guys do about the coffee issue?

HALP!

[Chicklady]

What I've heard/read about coffee...... if you have diabetes, caffeine can really screw with your blood sugar. If you don't have diabetes, it MAY (or may not) actually help with your blood sugar. Some people get a insulin spike when drinking coffee, some don't.
Atkins wanted us to drop the coffee for at least the first two weeks. That's what did my first time around, then added it back in slowly to see if it would cause cravings. Lucky for me it didn'tcause I don't think I could survive the night shift without.
Since you know you have diabetes, why not drop the coffee for induction, and meanwhile, speak to your doctor about it.
Good luck! I know it sucks giving it up----have aspirin handy.

[FatBottomGirl]

Hi DesignBabe - unfortunately (or luckily for me) I don't drink coffee so I can't answer your question... I just wanted to stop by and say HI and Welcome!

[julirama723]

Though I was never a coffee drinker, I was a serious Diet soda addict.

The caffiene in the coffee (and soda) is what causes the insulin spikes. Even "decaffeinated" coffee has caffiene. Decaffeinated simply means that the majority of the caffiene was removed from the product, NOT that it is caffeine-free.

For me, drinking diet soda would cause a horrible chain of events. I would get a caffeine rush, then I would start to crave food. Not just any food, but sugary sweets, junk food, potato chips, french fries, pizza. All the stuff that kills you. And when I didn't have enough caffeine? I would crash, becoming listless, drained of energy, cranky, and ill.

I used to drink soda for breakfast to "give me energy". Well, I was just feeding my caffeine addiction. Once I gave it up, I had REAL energy. My body didn't rely on artifical stimulants for a boost of energy (and resultant crash). I won't lie, giving up caffeine was THE HARDEST thing I've done, way harder than Induction! BUT, I was also an 8-can-a-day soda drinker.

Caffeine/coffee/soda is a "your mileage may vary" kind of thing. Everyone has different reactions and experiences with it. I know that I need to stay away from caffeine, as far away as I possibly can. You might try giving it up for a week to see how you feel. The first couple of days might be tough, but stick with it. My guess is that you'll feel even BETTER without the coffee.

[blue996]

Coffee doesn't make me crave at all but I do believe it slows down my losses somehow. I still drink but I limit it to only one cup each Saturday.

[UrbanShaman]

Caffiene is really a "each person is different kind of thing." Some people don't do well losing weight or with their blood sugar levels on it while others feel little to no impact from it. I gave it up for Induction and I feel energetic and alert without it so I know it isn't necessary once you kick the habit. I say if you're still losing weight, and your blood sugar is stable then one AM cup isn't going to kill you, but I would encourage you to get rid of it totally. I felt better when I did.