Hi, i was just wondering if caffeine can slow down your weight loss attempt? I've always drank diet coke without a problem but i recently started drinking coffee and i've noticed my weight loss is practically non existent now. Could this be related to the coffee i'm drinking or is it probably just something else?
Thanks for you help
Cat
x

I drink 4-8 cups of coffee per day, and drink 1 can of reg coke daily ( i work it into my cals plus burn off the extra cals) and I havnt had a problem. I cant speak for everyone tho. maybe you have hit a plateau? what do you add to your coffee?

I can't say either, I've pretty much given up on coffee, but it might be related to what you put in it (if anything), or maybe with behavious associated with coffee? For instance, in my case, a cup of coffee tends to prompt me to want some chocolate to go with it, which never happens with tea, and then I unconsciously remain "feeling like eating chocolate". It's an added temptation, sort of, that perhaps wouldn't exist otherwise, and it makes it harder.

Well, it's all about sodium levels too. I totally gave up soda (even coke zero) because of the sodium. Now, all I'm drinking is water and the occasional juice drink.
Now, that doesn't mean you can't lose weight while drinking caffeine, you just have to make sure you're drinking loads of water so you don't retain water.
Lots of people drink a cup of coffee in the morning and work it into their diet, so it can be done, just watch your calories and all.

It is definately possible to lose the weight while drinking coffee and sodas... but I have always been told that sodas make you retain water weight because of the high sodium levels. Maybe if you feel you are at a stand still in your weight loss you could cut back a little or if not drink extra water to balance it out...

In my opinion I can say caffiene(coffee especially)has interfered with weightloss as well as contributed to my weight gain because it effects my bloodsugar levels .For Instance , I tried OTC diet pills and they made me feel weak and shakey and my stomach felt empty and the only way to stop those symtpoms was to eat.The same thing happens when i drink coffee. My Dr. said whenever i injest caffiene (coffee) it causes my bloodsugar levels to crash triggering those symptoms.I also noticed that before I became a coffee drinker i never had a weight problem. About 8 years ago I started drinking coffee and the weight came on .Of course that is not WHY I gained but I believe it contributed for the reason above.Also every diet i ever tried that actually worked for me suggested to eliminate caffiene or keep it to a bare minimum.

I was under the impression it had the opposite affect. Coffee always slows down my appetite. ( although, maybe that also slows down my metabalisom )???

Well, some caffeine is good right before a workout, but not in the form of a diet soda.

Caffeine triggers the body to release insulin, which in turn makes you store fat. Most people don't notice any problems but if you have a slight insulin resistance problem to begin with, the caffeine only makes it worse. I couldn't lose weight until I gave up coffee. Do you have some type of insulin resistance?

I know Atkins advises against coffee/caffeine for its effects on glucose levels.

Coffee only has 10 calories per 20 oz. Unless you're having, as mentioned above, some kind of insulin resistance issue with it, it's highly unlikely that the coffee itself is making you gain.

However, if caffeine makes you jittery or upsets your tummy and you wind up eating something because of that, then it's not really the caffeine that is derailing your plan so much.

We're all different however, so you have to find what works for you. Whether it's physical or mental ... if you think it's derailing you, then try cutting back on it and see what happens.

.

I decided to cut way down on caffeine just this week. I used to drink a lot of coffee through the day. Now I have switched to decaf.

I don't know how the coffee affected my rate of weight loss, but I do have a disproportionately large stomach, so I am not happy with my shape even at my reasonable goal weight.

It turns out that caffeine increases cortisol levels, which can cause more weight to be stored in the middle. There are other measures for reducing cortisol levels (limit alcohol, relaxation, etc), but I am working on the caffeine at the moment.

I don't know if it will work or not, but it's something you might want to consider when choosing whether or not to indulge in caffeine.

Thanks for the help guys
As far as an insulin problem goes, i have none that i know of! I only have a tiny bit of skimmed milk in my coffee and dont have cake or anything with it, infact, i usually drink it when im a bit hungry in the middle of the afternoon to stop me feeling hungry!
I think i'll try and just have one in the morning from now on and see what happens... and if i am just at a plateau, i'll work out harder!
Thanks again
Cat
x