Ok, I fully realize I could ask this question at the COD, but since I keep forgetting to ask about low sodium bacon, there's no chance I'd remember to ask this too..

Since the diet began, I've been a fairly regular coffee drinker, mostly to take the edge off my hunger and stay warm (it's been damn cold here this winter).. I usually have a couple of largish cups a day as the plan allows. During TO, we're not allowed more than two cups.. .

Anyone want to venture a guess as to why? Is it the caffine?

I'm thinking it might be the caffeine or because coffee is a diuretic..not sure why that would be a factor, but since I work at Starbucks..and I'm on day 2 of my FF, it sucks. I love coffee/espresso so much that I have an espresso machine at home that is worth a small house pymt. that's how addicted i am.

They hate us and want to make us suffer.

*blinks*

I'm kidding of course. I believe it does have to do with the caffeine, because the decaf versions seem to be without limit. And now, I will go get me some coffee, too, just 'cause you mentioned it.

<--me after a cup of joe.

I think so......but true confession........I drink as much black coffee as I want. This is not good for you.......so I am not advising it. The way I look at it.........I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't eat fried foods or sweets.........dang..........I HAVE to have SOMETHING. That's just me though I'm sure someone else will have a much better response

LOL, I think you are on to something And, yeah, I just went and got some coffee too...........thanks a lot DAN!!! J/K of course

we are learning more about what makes Nicole, Jillian, Megan and Dan tick!

I would say that it is to limit the caffeine since the food is limited on TO. Don't want wired hungry people around.

ok, going to make an iced americano now..thanks everyone! ha! j/k. but seriously..i think i work at starbucks to keep myself and hubby in our "habit!"

I don't know about all of this, but Dr. Oz says that coffee is fine, so as far as I am concerned, drink it up, but be sure you count your creamer in some way. I use FF half and half, count is as a condiment.

i'm the newbie... and i don't pretend to know the answer to your question... however, when i went to LAWL for my interview.. they had written on their whiteboard to limit coffee and diet coke because the caffine is ..as was mentioned.. a diuretic and it dehydrates the body.. so i'm guessing that would be why.. not to mention its also an appetite suppressant and i'm thinking (i could be wrong.. correct me if i am) but wouldn't the suppressant effect be a problem if you're drinking coffee first thing in the morning and not wanting to eat your breakfast? just for myself.. if i drink coffee i don't want to eat anything and usually don't. just my two cents.

i love coffee too, i have maybe 2 to 3 cups a day and I do count the ff creamer as my condiments. can't live without my coffee and I don't think it's hurting me at all with the weightloss, but then again, maybe that's why I've plateaued (sp) so much.....I don't know. I just make sure that for every cup of coffee I have, I also add another 8 oz of water to my already 64 oz during the day.

Thanks for all the replies.. Funny to see how coffee is an "issue" with many of us..

Back in my news media days, I could easily have 4 or 5 cups of coffee first thing in the morning, especially so soon after my late night college ways.. I had to have something to get me going..

After I quit the news biz, I cut coffee almost completely out, mostly as a way to just get my body back in order.. Liz laughs at my coffee mug collection.. I must have at least 15 different mugs/travel mugs here in the office, and almost as many at home.. Baseball caps and coffee mugs are my weakness as far as collecting goes..

Hi all - good topic and one I have often wondered about. Back in my waiting tables years, I know I often had a pot of coffee a day! I have weaned to 1-2 cups a day in the morning before work and unlimited on weekends. I love my coffee, and it would be hard to give it up!

Recently a friend gave me some info which she got from a friend of hers who is a nutritionist or dietician (not sure which she is). My friend was complaining to the nutritionist friend that she couldn't understand why she wasn't losing-- she felt she was doing all the right things - she also mentioned that she was drinking a lot of black coffee. The nutritionist (who my friend says is about 50 or so and probably a size 4 or 6 - very fit looking) told her to switch to tea (black tea or green) and cut the coffee. She said it's not the caffeine, but something in coffee itself contributes to cortisol elevation, which can make you hold on to belly fat. Not something I need any help holding on to! I have no idea if there is ANY truth to it, but I would love to know if any of you have more info... because it really has me wondering if I should switch to tea. I do like tea - not herbal but tea with caffeine - and maybe I could do one cup coffee and one cup tea and eventually cut coffee out altogether. But I would really like to know any research or info on this because if it has no credibility then why give up coffee? Please let me know if you've heard of this...

Oh, I use evaporated fat free milk in my coffee. It's really good and creamy (not like skim milk at all). It's the kind that comes in a can (not the thick condensed, just evaporated). My parents always used it in coffee, so I always have to. I'm trying to stay away from high fructose corn syrup which is supposed to be very bad for you and make you crave sweets! I think it's a main ingredient in fat free half and half. The evils of HFCS are explained in SuperSize Me and also I know Dr. Oz explains it in his book. Not sure what LAWL says about it. Unfortunately I recently realized it was in my fav salad dressing too, so I'm looking for a good alternative.

Anyway back on topic, I'm interested to hear if anyone knows if there is truth to the coffee/ belly fat connection. I know a lot of thin people drink cofffee, so I'm hoping not...

I gave up the coffee when I went on plan. I do find that my abs are flatter and firmer, and that's not just with losing inches. If I'm off my beloved coffee, I might as well be seeing some effect.

Hey Jillian, my barista's still love me, I'm ordering tea now, and I'm no longer one of those annoying people that order a venti-2 extra shots of espresso-nonfat-nonwhip-iced-mocha! My new order of a grande-shaken passion tea is much easier to process, and repeat back!

Marzbe - your experience is interesting. Maybe I will try giving up coffee and switching to tea. I think I could grow to like tea... we'll see

I've read that it causes calcium depletion. Another reason it may be bad is by causing sleeplessness. Other than that, I don't really see the problem. I find coffee actually knocks me out at times! lol

I drink at least 4 cups per day...sometimes up to 6. During work, it's a must have. One first thing in morning, one mid-morning, one mid-afternoon and one or two in the evening. I'm sure if I drank several gallons of coffee, there may be adverse effects. For now, I'll enjoy my "lift"...take advantage of the appetite suppression and savor every sip (w/ atificial sweetener and low fat whitener, of course)!