Coffee and the WFPB Way of Life. A Serious No No?
Are you java the hut? ;)
Unsure whether coffee is a serious no no?
Or a superfood?
Coffee (and caffeine) are two things I get emailed about all the time…
This topic also exploded in the Meal Mentor FB group and forums last week.
Coffee and the whole foods, plant-based diet… a serious no no?
Use of caffeine (and alcohol) is a very personal decision IMHO.
Is it a “health food”? Well, it’s not quite an apple….
BUT as long as you’re not abusing it…
AND you don’t have a pre-existing medical condition that can be worsened by caffeine use...
consumption is your business.
HOWEVER, if you’re going to drink coffee, drink it black.
(Maybe a little bit of almond milk or powdered soy milk)
You want to make sure your coffee isn’t really a candy bar in a glass.
If you can’t get it down without sugar and creamer, stick to water :)
The sooner we get used to not sweetening our foods and drinks just to get them down, the healthier we’ll be :)
"Hi Lindsay - wanted to say thanks for pointing me to the "hidden culprits". I measured today and in the 12 days since I received this email and stopped drinking powdered creamer in my coffee I have lost 3 pounds and an inch in my waist. I didnt measure my upper abdomen when I started and I imagine I lost multiple inches there. I no longer have an Alfred Hitchcock profile. I am going to look for more hidden culprits now. Thanks! (P.S. I went from drinking 3 pots of coffee a day to less than half a pot cause I don't like the taste without the creamer. That's GOOD NEWS.)"- Diane H
And remember how super addictive sugar is?
(If you missed the sugar series, you can have it emailed to you here.)
It takes a week-ish, but you’ll get used to black coffee, promise!
Of course, coffee is still a DRUG with side effects.
1. being dependence
2. it’s a little like paying a credit card with a credit card ;)
3. coffee can raise your “bad” cholesterol (but only if it’s unfiltered)
Some people also experience raised blood pressure, heartburn and acid reflux, digestive issues, irregular heartbeats, palpitations, and anxiety after drinking coffee.
Drinking coffee late in the day can also interfere with your sleep (and good, sound sleep is critical to mental and physical health as well as weight-loss! Go to SLEEP!)
BUT there’s also ample research suggesting coffee DECREASES the risk of diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, liver disease and some cancers.
(Though tea is probably still healthier all said.)
Here are a few observations by Meal Mentor members:
"I loved coffee but my body would not lose weight while I was drinking it so I quit cold and increased water and walked a lot. My body said thank you. My energy is up and my head is not in a fog even when I have a rest less night."- Sandra C
"I drink two cups a day, and honestly don't feel like it's a problem. I love coffee and have been drinking it for 40+ years. The rest of the time I drink nothing but water, it was the soda habit that I kicked about 10 years ago that was of much more concern than coffee. It seems that coffee comes in and out of favor on a regular basis. It's not something that I'm going to worry about."- Marcia J
"I quit drinking caffeinated drinks in the mornings, and noticed an improvement in my workouts. Caffeine is a far more effective drug when you don't use it all the time."- Jennifer E
"Coffee is how I make my living and I will likely never not drink it. I enjoy the ritual and the art of making a beautiful espresso drink, although my drink of choice most of the time is a soy cafe au lait on ice. I definitely think coffee is the least of my dietary challenges."- Michelle N
"IMO, I am healthier without caffeine. My coffee consumption was the major cause of some of my migraines/headaches. I have been over a month without it, and don't plan on going back."- Eileen M
"I won't give coffee up. I don't use sugar, I drink 98% decaf and 2% caffeinated and I use almond milk creamer. Coffee isn't a bad habit, it's one of my most pleasant routines."- Viki H
Please share YOUR thoughts on coffee and experiences in the comments below.
Bottom line: If you are an otherwise healthy person (no known medical issues) and drinking coffee is the worst thing you do, you’re doing great.
But if you’re going to “use” coffee, please consume responsibly ;-)
Admittedly, I was totally and completely addicted to coffee -- 10 cups a day! And it caught up with me. I quit cold tofu 7 years ago (boy was that miserable!) but I still do like the taste of coffee and have some on occasion.
(And when I do? Look out! I’m a bouncing bomb of ADD...)
P.S. A GREAT substitute: Teeccino
If you LOOOOVE the taste of coffee but don’t want the caffeine -- enjoy Teeccino.
Love coffee? Hate it? Totally addicted? Former addict? Share your story below.