Some positives for both -
Going for lattes with a friend never was and never will be about the coffee alone. It's about spending time with someone, connecting, venting...
From the dieting perspective, coffee is a lifesaver. Sipping a large latte with skim or low fat milk, and no sugar is the best way for me to keep with my program.
I sip it slowly through the AM, keeping the mid morning munchies at bay, and then again pre-dinner. The pre-dinner latte (which I sometime drink cold with lots of ice) helps conquer two issues. The first is that I serve my kids dinner before I eat, so if I'm too hungry I can't control myself from finishing food off their plates, or nibbling as I prepare. Second, I don't come to dinner so hungry that I've already inhaled enough food for two people in the time it takes most people to pick up their knife and fork.
The protein in the milk is what separates it from all other beverages. Its not empty calories!
What I like about decaf is that I am much more in tune with my body. When I am overtired I get cravings for carbs and chocolate and any discipline I may have had is long gone. Without coffee in my system, it's easier for me to realize my body needs some extra sleep and is just looking for an energy fix. Instead of feeding the sleep deprivation with caffeine, and then bingeing, I go to bed an hour earlier for a few nights to get me back on track.
Many studies today show great benefit in some caffeine, but everything in moderation, as they say. Having caffeine should never be your replacement for sleep, especially where weight loss is concerned.
The other pro is that I need to find other ways to boost my energy, and that I get through exercise. When I stop exercising I feel a drop in energy, and I won't stay off my workouts for as long as I would have if I was drinking caffeinated.
So heres to coffee - Bottoms Up!
