Many people like to start their day off with a fresh and invigorating cup of coffee, it puts the spring in your step that you need to start your day. But what if we told you that coffee has the ability to help you curb your appetite on your eating plan and can be a helpful aid to lose weight? Well, if used correctly and in moderation, coffee can do just that.
Caffeine in coffee, in moderation, like red wine in moderation, has a number of excellent health benefits that you can include in your healthy lifestyle. We all know that caffeine is a stimulant, but it’s not all bad.
In fact, it can help your body by releasing catecholamine, which are small substances that are made the adrenal gland, nerve and brain tissue. These are natural organic compounds in our body called epinephrine, dopamine and norepinephrine. Basically these compounds, when released, can burn fat by zoning in on fat cells in their path, by boosting your metabolism and they have small appetite suppressant properties as well.
But in saying that, if you load your coffee with sugar, cream, caramel, chocolate and little floaty marshmallows, followed closely by a large chocolate chip cookie or two, you are completely and utterly defeating the purpose. If you must add anything to your coffee, use low fat creamer or fat free milk – revolting to start off with but you will get used to it – and as little sugar or sugar replacement products as possible.
But take care to remember that as much as caffeine is a stimulant, it is also a diuretic and if you don’t drink enough water to counteract the effects of the caffeine, you are going to get dehydrated very quickly and end up with a spectacular headache. As a general rule of thumb, especially if you are a loyal lover of coffee, is to have one glass of water for every cup of coffee that you drink. This way you can be sure that you are not going to start getting a throbbing headache later in the day.
Coffee can be a very successful weight loss aid, however, just be careful that the delicious food items that normally accompany the steamy cup of coffee are not high fat, sugary muffins, pastries and cakes. One or maybe two cups a day enjoyed early in the morning, will give you the best boost for the day.
And if you are exercising early in the morning, be sure to have your coffee before your workout. The caffeine will provide you with an energy boost you need to burn those extra calories, and will boost your metabolism. Make sure that you only have your breakfast after your workout and perhaps your second cup of coffee at this time, and have green tea for a hot beverage the rest of the day.
Remember there is absolutely no substitute for healthy eating and exercise, although every little bit, working together, does help.