Coffee is common in a lot of people’s mornings and afternoon breaks because they need that extra bit of energy and alertness to power through their responsibilities. However, if you are on a weight-loss journey or are conscious about keeping fit, you may want to hold off on caffeine altogether. Although it is a known pre-workout and keto diet drink, you have to consider quite a few concerns. Read the rest of this guide to find out more.
Why Is It Important to Learn about Coffee and Its Effects on My Weight Loss Journey?
Coffee is popularly known as a drink, but caffeine is common in other food products, such as chewing gum, energy drinks, nutrition bars, and candies. It means you may already be consuming too much since caffeine-based compounds are likened to adenosine, which is an energy-boosting neurotransmitter that jolts your body awake. It can also trigger cortisol, a stress hormone known to increase the heart rate and raise your blood pressure.
By taking coffee, you can become jittery and feel unhinged. While you may think you only took one cup of coffee that day, the food you ate may have been loaded with caffeine, raising your cortisol levels. At this stage, you are more likely to crave food or indulge in emotional eating to calm down, leading to weight problems.
Is Coffee Really an Ideal Drink for Weight Loss Management?
Many fitness buffs and diet enthusiasts stand by the fact that black coffee can help them keep a healthy lifestyle. They say it can enhance your physical performance, curb appetite, and boost metabolism. However, understanding the context here is necessary since you have to remember that our bodies are vastly different from one another, especially when it comes to weight loss.
The truth is that coffee can only momentarily boost energy levels and aid in doing exercise. That is why we have such a term called “caffeine crash,” which is synonymous with a sugar crash. It means you need more coffee just to feel energized again, feeding into this toxic cycle of stress and momentarily upbeatness. These characteristics are not great for effective weight loss management.
How Does Coffee Negatively Affect My Weight Loss Journey?
Aside from the negative effects already discussed earlier, coffee can affect your weight loss journey in the following ways:
- Increased caloric intake: While regular black coffee may be fine, drinking caffeinated products loaded with sugar, fats, and other weight-bloating substances can affect your weight loss routine. This is especially true if you are after a calorie deficit, a common technique used by fitness professionals for weight loss clients.
- Poorer sleep quality: Consuming too much caffeine can keep you awake even when you are already supposed to be sleeping. This state of restlessness is dangerous because you are more susceptible to midnight snack binging. Worse, you can develop insomnia and associated mental health issues.
Conclusion
Coffee is a great morning pick-me-up and can help energize you when you feel groggy. However, it can have significant drawbacks on meeting your weight loss goals. So, it is important to keep the relevant information mentioned above in mind and determine what needs to change in your diet and lifestyle. Consider also seeking further advice from wellness professionals like us to help you!
Weigh to Wellness can provide you with the best weight loss programs in Birmingham, AL. Our team is comprised of board-certified medical professionals with years of experience in weight loss management, and we cater to individuals of various lifestyles. Go for your initial consultation today by contacting us at (205) 651-2864!