If you're following the Atkins diet, you can have virtually unlimited amounts of many very rich foods, including steak and cheese. However, the diet does include some severe restrictions, not only on carbohydrates but on caffeine-containing beverages. If your morning routine calls for three or four caffeinated cups of coffee, you'll need to make some changes in order to follow the Atkins diet.
Science
The Atkins diet works by changing your body's metabolism so that it relies primarily on fat, not carbohydrates, to burn as fuel, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Strictly limiting carbohydrates potentially can help lower your blood sugar and insulin levels. However, drinking caffeinated coffee can raise your blood sugar and insulin levels, which means it's working against the Atkins diet approach.
Function
The Atkins diet doesn't disallow coffee or other caffeinated beverages. Instead, it limits you to two cups of caffeinated beverage each day, which can include caffeinated coffee, tea or diet soda. However, the diet's official website notes that you may get better results from the Atkins program if you give up all caffeine, including coffee.
Warning
Giving up caffeinated coffee might not be easy, even to support your Atkins diet efforts, since many people have caffeine addictions and will suffer from severe caffeine withdrawal symptoms if they drop caffeine all at once, according to Columbia University. These symptoms can include sleepiness, headaches and even depression.
Benefits
Still, the Atkins diet website says that the benefits of giving up all caffeine, including coffee, really can help your chances of success on the diet. Caffeine tends to quickly raise your blood sugar, which can lead to abrupt lowering of your blood sugar and even symptoms of hypoglycemia. Those symptoms include hunger, shakiness, nervousness and confusion, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Considerations
The Atkins diet allows you unlimited quantities of decaffeinated coffee, which might present a welcome option for those who really don't want to give up their coffee habits. You can also consider drinking one to two cups of caffeinated coffee in the morning and then switching to decaf in the afternoon or possibly mixing caffeinated and decaffeinated coffees throughout the day.
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