Tag Archives: coffee

Drink More Water through Sensory Adaptation

drinking waterToday while reviewing the kaizen theory of making small changes with a client, in this case to reduce the amount of sugar she puts in her coffee, she stated that the first cup of the morning is always the most difficult. She reported that if she is able to drink the first cup with less sugar, the rest of the coffee that she has that day goes down much more easily. This makes sense because coffee is one of those things that is an “acquired taste;” however, she said the same thing was true for drinking water. If she worked out earlier in the day, she would drink water throughout the day, put down the coffee, and not pick up any more calorie-laden beverages. (more…)

Designer Coffee Brimming with Calories

coffee cup with coffee beansThe cost of a cup of coffee ain’t what it used to be. But diet-wise, a cup of joe will only cost you about 5 calories. That is, until you start adding flavors to it. Then the calories start racking up.

In fact, some fancy coffee drinks amount to the same caloric intake as an entire meal.

The largest size of Starbucks’ Dark Berry Mocha Frappuccino, a limited for summer-time offer, contains a whopping 561 calories. Speaking of whoppers, a flame-broiled Whopper from Burger King isn’t much more at 670 calories. (more…)

How to Choose Healthy Eats and Drinks at a Coffee House

Don’t you just love coffee shops? Whether it’s the comfy couches, mellow tunes, or free wi-fi that reels you in, you’re bound to stick around for a while and grab a little nosh. Since coffee shops serve way more than coffee these days, it helps to have a little know-how to help you stay on track with your diet.

Check out my video for coffee house healthy eating tips. It’s sure to “charge up” your next visit.

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New Health Benefits of Coffee

coffeeAccording to an article in Harvard Health Publications, coffee consumed in moderation can provide you with some good and unexpected health benefits.  Research has been going on for a while, about 20 years or so, measuring coffees effect on health.  Drinking coffee in moderation is defined as consuming a few cups a day and the latest research confirms that moderate coffee consumption does not harm the body, but in fact uncovered possible benefits.   (more…)

New Coffee Perk: It May Prevent Mental Disease

coffeeMaybe it’s sad to say, but I have to have my coffee in the morning. Every morning. But, I think when it’s all said and done, I only average two cups a day (three on a “good day”). So, I’m not a raging caffeinated lunatic.

In fact, my habit may be a good thing… since there are actually purported health benefits to my morning joe.

A new study even suggests that coffee may keep your mental health sharp when you get to your golden years. This was a study long in the making. Swedish and Danish researchers tracked coffee consumption in a group of about 1,400 middle-aged men and women for an average of 21 years. (more…)

Coffee Reduces Chance of Gout

Not everyone knows what gout is. But if you’ve had it, there’s no chance of that. Gout is a type of arthritis that usually occurs in the feet or toes. coffeeHigh consumption of alcohol and rich foods can put you at risk. It’s extremely painful, so it’s a good idea to figure out how you can avoid it. Coffee drinkers can rejoice. Adding to the positive side of the positive/negative debate over everyone’s favorite morning eye opener, drinkers of joe may have less of a chance of developing the ugly condition of gout. Researchers found that those who drank four or more coffees a day were more likely to have a much lower uric acid level in the blood. The gout pains happen when uric acid crystallizes out of the blood into the joints.

Tea Drinkers, Take Heart

There have been conflicting reports on the benefits or lack thereof of drinking coffee. If you’re unsure if you should give up that morning cup of joe, maybe just think about a switch to tea. A new study shows that women who drink tea every day may be doing their hearts a world of good. Sorry guys, no such luck for us.

Is coffee making us fat?

It’s no new news that as a nation, our waistlines are growing. Researchers have been scratching their heads for years now, trying to find out why. New research on caffeine and diabetes may be a clue into the obesity epidemic. Turns out that caffeine raises glucose levels in diabetics; furthermore, insulin resistance and moderating blood glucose levels are becoming two of the major indicators for weight loss success. Could it be that your daily latte is the culprit in an expanding waistline? Read for yourself here.

When I was a weight loss counselor with Jenny Craig, I would sometimes have a client who would seem to be doing everything right, but still not losing weight. Sometimes, as a last ditch effort, I would have them switch from coffee to tea, and voila! Weight loss would resume. Was the difference the caffeine consumption? Tea tends to be made “by the cup” while coffee is made, and consumed, by the pot. It’s an interesting hypothesis. Time for a cup of tea!