Decaffeinated coffee provides a satisfying beverage that can reduce your risks of caffeine's side effects. Regular coffee can undermine weight loss by reducing sleep and increasing the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol may contribute to weight gain and belly fat. Keeping your decaffeinated coffee low in calories can help you reduce your overall calorie intake for weight loss.
Background
A standard formula for weight loss holds that cutting 500 calories from your daily maintenance level will reduce your weekly calories by 3,500 calories, resulting in losing 1 lb. of weight. One of the challenges with achieving weight loss comes from the difficulty of reducing calories. A low-calorie decaffeinated coffee beverage can help create a calorie deficit. Using decaffeinated coffee instead of caffeinated beverages may help you lose weight.
Calories
Calories from sweetened beverages and coffeehouse drinks can make it more difficult to lose weight. Liquid calories aren't as filling as a meal, but some drinks can have as many calories as a dinner. A whole-milk latte, sweetened iced tea and two non-diet sodas can add 796 calories to your day's calories. A cup of coffee or decaffeinated coffee, served black, with no sugar, has 2 calories and no fat.
Stress
Reducing stress can help to promote weight loss. Stress can lead to emotional eating, and caffeine intake can increase stress, nervousness, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Choosing decaf coffee over caffeinated beverages can help you feel calmer. Getting plenty of sleep gives you more energy for physical activity and to face the challenges of your day -- including the challenge of reducing calories for weight loss. Choosing decaffeinated coffee reduces your risk of sleep disturbance compared to using caffeinated beverages. Too much caffeine can affect your sleep and may cause insomnia.
Considerations
An 8 oz. serving of decaffeinated coffee contains an average of 5 mg of caffeine. Although this is a small amount of caffeine compared to the average 133 mg in a regular cup of coffee, if you need to avoid caffeine for medical reasons, consult your doctor before consuming decaf.
Flavored decaffeinated coffee can provide a dessert substitute to help satisfy the urge for a treat. Flavors include vanilla, hazelnut and chocolate. Adding a flavoring extract, such as vanilla or rum and steamed low-fat milk or almond milk, creates a substitute for a flavored latte.
References
- "Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior"; Cortisol Responses to Mental Stress, Exercise and Meals Following Caffeine Intake in Men and Women; William R. Lovallo, et al.; May 2006
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Caffeine in the Diet
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Rethink Your Drink
- Center for Science in the Public Interest; Caffeine Content of Food & Drugs; September 2007
- MayoClinic.com; Coffee Calories: Sabotaging Your Weight-Loss Goal? Katherine Zeratsky; October 2010
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