[happy1127]

Hi,

If I have a cup of coffee every morning w/ 2 tablespoons of light cream (30 cal/tbsp) and 1 teaspoon of sugar at 15 cal/tsp then do I count that cup of coffee at 75 calories?

Thank you!!

[Thighs Be Gone]

I would.

[slimmingsi]

have those calories passed your lips? then yes you count them. this is a cracking example of how people who count calories get the sums wrong by missing small things, its very common.

i've recently quit coffee and moved to green tea. but i'm curious why is it that american have cream in the coffee where as in the uk most people use milk

[chris313]

Cream in coffee takes it to a whole other level, however it also has the same effect on our bodies! I only use cream when regular milk isn't available.

[happy1127]

thanks for your replies. I should probably switch to milk, you are right. However, as long as I am counting these calories its okay? I mean I realize I could save them for something more substantial but is there nothing wrong w/ using the cream as long as I count it? Or is there another problem?

Thanks again.

[Shannon in ATL]

I had a cup of coffee every morning when I was actively losing weight. Still have one every day today, actually. Sometimes two on the weekends. My thought was that I didn't want to live a life that required me to give up my coffee. I did move to the fat free creamers and cut my sugar from 2 tsp to 1 tsp during the more restricted calorie phase, so my coffee came in at 40 cals instead of 75. I also started buying flavored coffees - I find I can use less creamer that way.

Yes, absolutely count it. If you make room for it in your calorie count then it is okay. It isn't a huge indulgence.

ETA: I can't use the sugar free sweeteners, because all of the ones I found are flavored with Splenda which makes me sick. If you can do the Splenda, the sugar free sweeteners are a good idea.

[JerseyGirl83]

I drink 2 coffees a day. But since the start of my weight loss I now use skim and sugar free syrup I bought at target. It really had made a big difference.

[chick_in_the_hat]

Coffee is pretty much my last vice. And I ain't giving it up!

I use fat free 1/2 & 1/2 and sweetened with torani sugar free syrup.

[lumifan4ever]

I absolutely count the calories from my coffee. I have 2 travel mugs a day at work. I use splenda to sweeten it and sugar free creamer. I measure my creamer out for every cup i drink too. My cup of coffee comes to just 45 calories a cup. And i drink two cups so that makes it 90 calories. I can't imagine not counting that. And i don't want to give up my coffee either. If i can live a life where i have things i enjoy...what good is living???

[BelovedImzadi]

Originally Posted by happy1127

thanks for your replies. I should probably switch to milk, you are right. However, as long as I am counting these calories its okay? I mean I realize I could save them for something more substantial but is there nothing wrong w/ using the cream as long as I count it? Or is there another problem?

Thanks again.

There is no problem with it. If you enjoy it, and you calculate it, it is fine. IMO it is better to add a little real sugar, than to put something in like splenda or another chemical sweetener. Studies have shown that artificial sweeteners actually cause people to gain weight. So my advice is to resist temptation to change your sugar to something artificial. If you do decide you want to cut the sugar out there are natural alternatives. Stevia is an herb that is sweeter than sugar and has no calories. Blue Avage Nectar has calories but it is low glycemic so it doesn't cause blood sugar to spike, and it still has fewer calories than sugar.

[slimmingsi]

i second the not using chemicals they have been shown to increase the rate of cancer in lab tests. to be honest though its the same with butter and marg. yes marg is healthier on the surface but its actually worse for you as its artificially produced by forcing hydrogen to attatch to oil to make it more solid however the hydrogen doens't attach in a natural position