For some of us, there’s nothing like starting our day with a steaming cup of coffee each morning—especially when it’s packed with all of our favorite ingredients like creamers, flavored syrups, and sweeteners. Unfortunately though, certain coffee habits may be holding you back from reaching your weight loss goals. If you’re trying to lose weight but love to drink sweet, flavor-packed coffee, it may be time to make some changes.
To learn more about the worst coffee habits you should kick to the curb in order to shed some pounds, we spoke to Functional Nutritionist Amy Lippert, NTP. Lippert told us that sugar, creamers, and artificial sweeteners are likely slowing your weight loss.
Sugar
Whether you add it by the spoonful or it's a main ingredient in your creamer of choice, Lippert warns that putting too much sugar in your coffee can seriously hinder your weight loss—especially if you drink it bright and early. "When added to coffee and consumed first thing on an empty stomach, this ingredient causes a spike in blood sugars," she says. "The body responds by producing insulin, a hormone that is the key to storing excess glucose in the adipose (fat) cells."
Lippert explains that the more sugar you consume throughout the day, the more insulin you'll release, and the more glucose will be stored in those fat tissues, which will often lead to weight gain.
Sugar can especially cause issues if you start your day with it. That's because a sugar crash will lead to more cravings down the line, and you'll likely eat more and more. For this reason, it's best to avoid overloading your morning coffee with this ingredient.
Creamers and flavorings
Lippert says you should also be cautious about the types of creamers and flavorings you're adding to your coffee. Many times, these ingredients contain thickeners, stabilizers, and preservatives, which can be highly inflammatory and toxic. This leads to unwanted weight gain.
"If detoxification pathways are not optimal and the body is not able to remove these chemicals, they are stored in the adipose tissue and synovial fluids (joints) leading to inflammation and potential weight gain," Lippert warns. "Large amounts of inflammatory compounds in the body can lead to water retention, making it harder to lose weight as well."
Uh-oh! It might be best to skip the creamer, then.
Artificial sweeteners
OK, so you shouldn't add sugar, and you should hold back on creamer... can you at least opt for some artificial sweeteners? Unfortunately, Lippert says this may be a no-go if you're trying to lose weight, as well.
"Although artificial sweeteners may be advertised as being 'better for you' than sugar, they are ultra-refined, full of chemicals, and are highly inflammatory and toxic to the body," she says. "Consuming these on a daily basis leads to gut health issues, inflammation, and potential chronic symptoms, including weight gain, and may make losing weight harder." Noted!
So, if you're trying to lose weight, the best option may be to learn to love black coffee—or at least cut back on the sweet ingredients as much as possible. While making some sacrifices and breaking these habits will be difficult for those with a sweet tooth, your waistline will thank you in the long run!
